Inclusive Cultural and Religious Pluralism as an Indispensable Worldview for Peace in Africa

Abstract

Historically Africa has accommodated multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious peoples. Hospitality is imbedded in the DNA of Africa especially in the sub-Saharan parts of the continent. Sadly armed conflicts and violence are becoming quintessential to the African nomenclature. As a result, suffering, poverty, refugees, and emigration are also becoming endemic to the continent. This article seeks to highlight the benefits of inclusive pluralism as the philosophic/theological worldview that would assist toward the healing of the conflicts and violence attendant to cultural and religious diversity in different parts of Africa. It will explore scriptural evidences of inclusive religious pluralism in Christianity and Islam as well as in African Traditional Religions beliefs and practices. It will call for a new orientation for Africans in dialogue on the mindset of inclusive pluralism to accommodate the plurality of religions and cultures that richly color the different parts of Africa.