On the Difference between Cultural and Religious Identities: A Case Study of Christianity and Islam in Some African and Asian Countries

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-P63WKM1TM1"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-P63WKM1TM1'); </script>  <script type="text/javascript" > (function(m,e,t,r,i,k,a){m[i]=m[i]||function(){(m[i].a=m[i].a||[]).push(arguments)}; m[i].l=1*new Date(); for (var j = 0; j < document.scripts.length; j++) {if (document.scripts[j].src === r) { return; }} k=e.createElement(t),a=e.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],k.async=1,k.src=r,a.parentNode.insertBefore(k,a)}) (window, document, "script", "https://mc.yandex.ru/metrika/tag.js", "ym"); ym(55165297, "init", { clickmap:false, trackLinks:true, accurateTrackBounce:true, webvisor:false }); </script> <noscript><div><img src="https://mc.yandex.ru/watch/55165297" style="position:absolute; left:-9999px;" alt="" /></div></noscript>    <title>On the Difference between Cultural and Religious Identities: A Case Study of Christianity and Islam in Some African and Asian Countries</title> <meta name="description" content="On the Difference between Cultural and Religious Identities: A Case Study of Christianity and Islam in Some African and Asian Countries"> <meta name="keywords" content="Belief, identity, knowledge, culture, religion."> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="citation_title" content="On the Difference between Cultural and Religious Identities: A Case Study of Christianity and Islam in Some African and Asian Countries"> <meta name="citation_author" content="Mputu Ngandu Simon"> <meta name="citation_publication_date" content="2023/03/15"> <meta name="citation_journal_title" content="International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences"> <meta name="citation_volume" content="17"> <meta name="citation_issue" content="3"> <meta name="citation_firstpage" content="149"> <meta name="citation_lastpage" content="153"> <meta name="citation_pdf_url" content="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/pdf"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/fontawesome/css/all.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/css/site.css?v=150220211555" rel="stylesheet"> </head> <body> <header> <div class="container"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light"> <a class="navbar-brand" href="https://waset.org"> <img src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/images/wasetc.png" alt="Open Science Research Excellence" title="Open Science Research Excellence" /> </a> <button class="d-block d-lg-none navbar-toggler ml-auto" type="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbarMenu" aria-controls="navbarMenu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation"> <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span> </button> <div class="w-100"> <div class="d-none d-lg-flex flex-row-reverse"> <form method="get" action="https://waset.org/search" class="form-inline my-2 my-lg-0"> <input class="form-control mr-sm-2" type="search" placeholder="Search Conferences" value="" name="q" aria-label="Search"> <button class="btn btn-light my-2 my-sm-0" type="submit"><i class="fas fa-search"></i></button> </form> </div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse mt-1" id="navbarMenu"> <ul class="navbar-nav ml-auto align-items-center" id="mainNavMenu"> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/conferences" title="Conferences in 2024/2025/2026">Conferences</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/disciplines" title="Disciplines">Disciplines</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/committees" rel="nofollow">Committees</a> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown"> <a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="navbarDropdownPublications" role="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> Publications </a> <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="navbarDropdownPublications"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts">Abstracts</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://publications.waset.org">Periodicals</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://publications.waset.org/archive">Archive</a> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/page/support" title="Support">Support</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <main> <div class="container mt-4"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-9 mx-auto"> <form method="get" action="https://publications.waset.org/search"> <div id="custom-search-input"> <div class="input-group"> <i class="fas fa-search"></i> <input type="text" class="search-query" name="q" placeholder="Author, Title, Abstract, Keywords" value=""> <input type="submit" class="btn_search" value="Search"> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="row mt-3"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Commenced</strong> in January 2007</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Frequency:</strong> Monthly</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Edition:</strong> International</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Paper Count:</strong> 33093</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card publication-listing mt-3 mb-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem">On the Difference between Cultural and Religious Identities: A Case Study of Christianity and Islam in Some African and Asian Countries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=Mputu%20Ngandu%20Simon">Mputu Ngandu Simon</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> <p>Culture and religion are two of the most significant markers of an individual or group`s identity. Religion finds its expression in a given culture and culture is the costume in which a religion is dressed. In other words, there is a crucial relationship between religion and culture which should not be ignored. On the one hand, religion influences the way in which a culture is consumed. A person`s consumption of a certain cultural practice is influenced by his/her religious identity. On the other hand, the cultural identity plays an important role on how a religion is practiced by its adherents. Some cultural practices become more credible when interpreted in religious terms just as religious doctrines and dogmas need cultural interpretation to be understood by a given people, in a given context. This relationship goes so deep that sometimes the boundaries between culture and religion become blurred and people end up mixing religion and culture. In some cases, the two are considered to be one and the same thing. However, despite this apparent sameness, religion and culture are two distinct aspects of identity and they should always be considered as such. One results from knowledge while the other has beliefs as its foundation. This paper explores the difference between cultural and religious identities by drawing from existing literature on this topic as a whole, before applying that knowledge to two specific case studies: Christianity among San people of Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and Islam in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Iran. </p> <iframe src="https://publications.waset.org/10013008.pdf" style="width:100%; height:400px;" frameborder="0"></iframe> <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=Belief" title="Belief">Belief</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=identity" title=" identity"> identity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=knowledge" title=" knowledge"> knowledge</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=culture" title=" culture"> culture</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=religion." title=" religion."> religion.</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/on-the-difference-between-cultural-and-religious-identities-a-case-study-of-christianity-and-islam-in-some-african-and-asian-countries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/apa" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">APA</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/bibtex" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">BibTeX</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/chicago" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Chicago</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/endnote" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">EndNote</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/harvard" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Harvard</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/json" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">JSON</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/mla" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">MLA</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/ris" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">RIS</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/xml" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">XML</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008/iso690" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">ISO 690</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013008.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">497</span> </span> <p class="card-text"><strong>References:</strong></p> <br>[1] P. Finke, M. Sokefeld, "Identity in Anthropology (Periodical style)," in The International Encyclopedia of Anthropology, 2018 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd. Published 2018 by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd. <br>[2] M. Sokefeld, “Debating Self, Identity, and Culture in Anthropology (Journal style)," in Current Anthropology Vol. 40, no. 4, 1999, p. 417. <br>[3] J.S. Jensen, “What is Religion?”, Routledge, New York, 2014, p. vii. <br>[4] G. Clifford, “The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays” (book style)”, Basic Books, Inc., New York, 1973, p. 90. Downloaded from: http://staff.uny.ac.id/sites/default/files/pendidikan/poerwanti-hadi-pratiwi-spd-msi/cliffordgeertztheinterpretationofculturesbookfiorg.pdf <br>[5] B. Malinowski, “A Scientific Theory of Culture” The University of North Carolina Press, 1944, p.52. Downloaded from: https://www.berose.fr/IMG/pdf/malinowski_1944-a_scientific_theory_of_culture.pdf <br>[6] Web Source (Last accessed on March 25, 2022 at 4:12pm): https://www2.palomar.edu/anthro/culture/culture_1.htm#:~:text=Tylor%20said%20that%20culture%20is,is%20not%20limited%20to%20men. <br>[7] M. Harris, “Culture, People, Nature: An Introduction to General Anthropology,” New York: Crowell, 1975, p. 144 <br>[8] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/identity (last accessed on April 18, 2022 at 9:55pm) <br>[9] H. Michael, A. Dominic, “Social Identifications: A Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations and Group Processes”, (e-book format) Routledge, London, 1988 <br>[10] Z. Golubović, “An Anthropological Conceptualization of Identity”, (Essay Style), in Synthesis Philosophica 51 (1/2011) pp. 25–43 <br>[11] J. Habermas, “Communication and the Evolution of Society”, Translated and with Intro by T. McCarthy, Beacon Press, Boston, 1979, p. 85 (Web Source: https://teddykw2.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/jurgen-habermas-communication-and-the-evolution-of-society.pdf) <br>[12] H. Stuart, "Introduction: Who Needs 'Identity'? (Journal style)," In Questions of Identity, ed. by Stuart Hall & Paul du Gay, Sage, London, 1996, pp. 1-2. <br>[13] H. Stuart, "Cultural Identity and Disapora (Journal style)," in Colonial Discourse and Post-Colonial Theory: a Reader, Ed. Patrick Williams and Laura Chrisman, Harvester Wheatsheaf: London, 1994, p. 223. <br>[14] C. Etengoff, E. Rodriguez, "Religious Identity: Development of the Self in Adolescence (Journal style)," in The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, ed. by Jeremy Jewell & Stephen Hopp, John Wiley & Sons, Malden, 2019, p. 1. <br>[15] T. Johnson, G. Brian, “The World's Religion in Figures”, Wiley- Blackwell, Sirencester, 2013, p. 135. <br>[16] B. Richard, "Reflections on the Differences Between Religion and Culture", in Clinical Cornerstone 6, N. 1, 2004, p. 25. <br>[17] M. R. Abdulla, “Religion, Culture, and Freedom of Religion or Belief (Journal style)”, The Review of Faith & International Affairs, Vol. 16, Issue 4, Dec., 2018, pp. 102-115. Web Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15570274.2018.1535033 <br>[18] B. Stephen, "Ethno-spirituality: A Postcolonial Problematic?", in Altercation: Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Art and humanities in South Africa, 2009. <br>[19] M. Prozesky "Introduction (Journal style)," In Living Faiths in South Africa, Ed. Martin Prozesky & John De Gruchy, Hurst & Company, London, 1995, pp. 1-14 <br>[20] M. Northcott, “The Environment and Christian Ethics”, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996, p. 177. <br>[21] F. Fanon, “The Wretched of the earth”, Penguin, London, 2001, p. 170. <br>[22] H.K. Bhabha, “Cultural diversity and Cultural Differences”, (e-post) on Literarism: Republic of Letters, March 19, 2016 (https://literarism.blogspot.com/2016/03/homi-k-bhabha.html) <br>[23] I. L. Asmani, M. S. Abdi, "Delinking Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting from Islam (Booklet style)," US Aid, 2008, p.1. Web Source: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/De-linking%20FGM%20from%20Islam%20final%20report.pdf <br>[24] E. Boyle, “Female Genital Cutting: Cultural Conflict in the Global Community”, JHU Press, Baltimore, 2005, p. 131 <br>[25] M. Foucault, “Power, Truth, Strategy”, Feral Publication, Sydney, 1979, p. 35 </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer> <div id="infolinks" class="pt-3 pb-2"> <div class="container"> <div style="background-color:#f5f5f5;" class="p-3"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> About <li><a href="https://waset.org/page/support">About Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/page/support#legal-information">Legal</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/WASET-16th-foundational-anniversary.pdf">WASET celebrates its 16th foundational anniversary</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Account <li><a href="https://waset.org/profile">My Account</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Explore <li><a href="https://waset.org/disciplines">Disciplines</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/conferences">Conferences</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/conference-programs">Conference Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/committees">Committees</a></li> <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org">Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Research <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts">Abstracts</a></li> <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org">Periodicals</a></li> <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org/archive">Archive</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Open Science <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Open-Science-Philosophy.pdf">Open Science Philosophy</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Open-Science-Award.pdf">Open Science Award</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Open-Society-Open-Science-and-Open-Innovation.pdf">Open Innovation</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Postdoctoral-Fellowship-Award.pdf">Postdoctoral Fellowship Award</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Scholarly-Research-Review.pdf">Scholarly Research Review</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Support <li><a href="https://waset.org/page/support">Support</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/profile/messages/create">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/profile/messages/create">Report Abuse</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container text-center"> <hr style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:.3rem;"> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" class="text-muted small">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> <div id="copy" class="mt-2">© 2024 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology</div> </div> </footer> <a href="javascript:" id="return-to-top"><i class="fas fa-arrow-up"></i></a> <div class="modal" id="modal-template"> <div class="modal-dialog"> <div class="modal-content"> <div class="row m-0 mt-1"> <div class="col-md-12"> <button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close"><span aria-hidden="true">×</span></button> </div> </div> <div class="modal-body"></div> </div> </div> </div> <script src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/jquery-3.3.1.min.js"></script> <script src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js"></script> <script src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/js/site.js?v=150220211556"></script> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function() { /*jQuery.get("https://publications.waset.org/xhr/user-menu", function (response) { jQuery('#mainNavMenu').append(response); });*/ jQuery.get({ url: "https://publications.waset.org/xhr/user-menu", cache: false }).then(function(response){ jQuery('#mainNavMenu').append(response); }); }); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

On the Difference between Cultural and Religious Identities: A Case Study of Christianity and Islam in Some African and Asian Countries