Hayford Amedji-dela Anyidoho
In my childhood, I embraced the positive aspects emphasized in this article, published by Desmond John Beddy.
I attended church diligently and assisted elderly women in learning to read the Bible in Ewe. However, my studies have revealed a nuanced perspective, where the negative repercussions often outweigh the positive ones. This argument is justified by following facts:
1. The existence of the first university in Africa predating Germany’s underscores that education predates the arrival of the white man.
2. Mathematics flourished in Egypt before the Greeks further developed it.
3. Ancient cities like Timbuktu in Mali boasted superior planning compared to London.
4. Africa’s wealthiest city existed before European colonization.
5. Egyptian hieroglyphs, a sophisticated writing system, predated the arrival of the white man.
6. Ethiopia and Liberia’s uncolonized history, coupled with Ethiopia’s Christian roots dating back to the 4th century, challenges the narrative of European influence.
7. Our Ewe heritage recognized a supreme deity before the advent of Christianity, demonstrating pre-existing spiritual beliefs.
8. The forgiveness concept in Christianity, permitting repeated sins, raises concerns about potential exploitation and corruption.
9. In pre-Christian times, my village maintained a level of trust where leaving money on doorsteps went untouched—a stark contrast to contemporary challenges.
10. Early missionaries suppressed native practices, including drumming, which is now embraced in church settings without condemnation.
11. Missionary-imposed modesty clashes with modern Western fashion trends, revealing a shift in cultural norms.
12. Despite Christianity’s message of peace, real-world instances, such as conflicts in holy Israel, challenge the narrative depicted in films and prayer camps.
13. Holy Vatican City and its dark side: Several scandals have marred the reputation of the Vatican in recent years. Instances of drug use at parties and allegations of child abuse have come to light. In addition, the Vatican Bank has faced accusations of black money and corruption, with suspicions of money laundering and dubious financial transactions. Pope Francis has vowed to take stronger action against child abuse and has made efforts to address the issues within the Vatican Bank.
14.France and the sexual scandals
Sexual scandals have rocked the Church in France in recent times. According to sociologist Céline Béraud, these cases have united different factions of Catholicism in their outrage and have undermined the legitimacy of the bishops to be heard. She argues that the current crisis is unprecedented and marks a turning point in the history of the Church in France. These scandals have led to a shift in the discourse of French Catholicism, moving from a focus on social issues to more conservative positions on gender and sexuality.
15. Scandals in German Churches
The Catholic and Protestant churches have both been confronted with the issue of sexual abuse within their institutions. In the Catholic Church, abuse has occurred in locations such as parishes, homes, boarding schools, and schools. Factors such as power structures and inadequate discussions about sexuality have contributed to the abuse. The confidentiality of the confessional has also hindered the reporting of abuse. In the Protestant Church, abuse has taken place in parishes, homes, and pastor’s families. The church’s self-image as open and liberal has prevented survivors from coming forward, and the concept of pastoral secrecy has hindered the reporting of abuse.
Sources:
2. https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/real-life/vatican-scandal-the-cardinal-spy-76092/
5.https://www.editions-empreinte.com/scandales-les-defis-de-l-eglise
6.https://www.aufarbeitungskommission.de/themen-erkenntnisse/kirchen/
7.https://topafric.com/index.php/news/1711-impact-of-christianity-on-african-indigenous-lifestyle
Ghana Association of Teachers of German - (GATG) Ghanaischer Deutschlehrerverband & Verein Deutsche Sprache in Ghana (VDS.e.V.) 