Whenever different cultures interact, there becomes a cultural shift and knock on effects that affect one or the other or both.

I hope to elaborate on this more later.

Contrasting cultures are usually interacting with each other. There comes a point at which they encounter each other, and usually there isn’t a desire for compromise.

This leads to the introduction of a need to impress new ideas, beliefs and thinking patterns etc.

A simple yet fascinating example is the way in which cultures interact with religion. Take the Middle-East for example. Arabian Polytheism was a major religious influence (pre-Islam) alongside Christianity and Judaism.

Hon. mention to: Zoroastrianism,
Mithraism, Mazdakism etc.

Let’s also consider Europe: pre-Christianity; Greek mythology, Polytheism, paganism etc. Were the dominant beliefs.

The Roman Empire eventually adopted Christianity as it’s main religion in 380 AD following Constantine issuing the edict of Milan.

In this we can see that over centuries, cultural relations with religions change and new religions take dominance in one way or another when a culture engages with a religion by whatever means.

This could lead to religious syncretism or another religion taking dominance.

What about Africa? Traditional religions from West and Central Africa arrived in South Africa about 1,500 years ago for example.

I haven’t looked into more African traditional religions, so I’ll leave it at this one case example.

Now, traditionally religions African and European etc. Were a form of cultural identity (but not always), hence a religion would be typically unique to a society.

However, as history has shown different cultures have changed their cultural religious views for various reasons.

Now, the point really comes in. The topic of the changing tides of religion across Africa is discussed.

Specifically concerning Christianity in Africa, the question is asked: would there be African Christians without slavery & colonialism?

The thread above builds the foundational context to rightly answer that question.

The answer: yes, but to what extent we wouldn’t know.

The interaction any culture has with a religion determines what influence the religion has over it.

As I’ve said before, religions gain influence in geographical locations via different means, and this isn’t uncommon.

So, in different circumstances we don’t know exactly what would happen or how much it would have an effect on the culture.

However, in summary, history shows that even without the threat of oppression and brainwashing, communities do change their views regarding religion, atheism, secularism etc. Simply by encountering these concepts.