Iba Mmuo Rite Of Initiation As A Viable Interpretative Key (Article) - 5/23/2014 5:36:57 AM
A very well researched and scholarly article. You seem to be rather soft on Christianity whose missionaries wrecked havoc on the African continent and other continents as well.
The reason there are similarities between religions and religious rites is because people fear the unknown. Everywhere on earth where people led primitive existence, they relied on experiences (usually held by the eldest) that were passed down about dangers that exist at all around them, bringing an instant death if not heeded. Youngsters were very naïve and easily placed in danger unless they followed the experience of the elders. The human mind is easily manipulated by ritual in almost every culture developed rituals like "coming of age" trials to grant youth adult status in their societies. Religion and mysticism were used to control behavior and predict the future in a very unpredictable world.
It is interesting how you describe Roman Catholic catechism as being benign and Igbo initiation rites involving whipping (other cultures had much worse, and I believe that vaginal circumcision is still practiced on women in Africa) you described as bringing young people into the "cult."
To me, all religions are cults and stifle critical thinking in favor of a particular dogma or religious set of rules that may or may not have validity. Religions worldwide have dragged their feet when it came to social reform and the need to solve problems in society. The false hope of some "better life after this" is all that holds the ridiculous rituals of most religions together. That's why I am an atheist and free from all the religious shackles that bind the "faithful."
Ron
