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In world's most religious country, humanists rally for secular space
Christian Science Monitor ^ | 11/25/2012 | Chris Stein

Posted on 11/25/2012 3:54:09 PM PST by haffast

In Ghana, where deeply held religious beliefs unite much of the population, a new group has formed around a shared disbelief in religion.

The Humanist Association of Ghana practices a philosophy that is mostly unheard of in Ghana, which a recent survey ranked as the most religious country in the world. Nonetheless, the group has already made waves in West Africa.

Last weekend, the association hosted humanists from across the region for a conference in the capital Accra, where attendees listened as speakers discussed the impact humanists could make on West African society. Lecturers talked about how humanists can stand up for gay and lesbian rights and against traditional practices like witch hunts. One talk dealt with whether humanism is compatible with belief in God.

snip

Humanism is a philosophy based on emphasizing humans over deities or religious texts. While many humanists are atheists, it’s not required, and some humanists believe that you can practice the philosophy while still being religious.

snip

About 70 percent of Ghanaians are Christians, 17 percent are Muslim, and the remainders belong to traditional religions or other theologies, says Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, a professor of African Christianity and Pentecostal theology at Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra.

snip

“We live in a country where unlike the western world, even financial institutions open business daily with prayer. Parliament opens daily with prayer,” Mr. Asamoah-Gyadu says. “If you are a humanist and you are in such a society, it’s very difficult.”

snip

But not believing is becoming prevalent worldwide.

The number of religious people dropped globally by nine percent since 2005, according to the survey, while the number of atheists rose by three percent.

snip

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Ministry/Outreach; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: atheists; athiests; gay; ghana; humanism; prayer; witches; worshipofself
Ghana is not "Progressive" enough. Send the Democrats "Forward".
1 posted on 11/25/2012 3:54:15 PM PST by haffast
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To: haffast

MOST religion on this planet is quite evil...
Little wonder Jesus came to make all religion OBSOLETE!...
AND DID...

Thats why they crucified him.. making slavery obsolete was merely minutia..
even though most economies were based in slavery... still are..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fEqkphVOkHc#t=5s


2 posted on 11/25/2012 4:02:26 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: haffast
“We live in a country where unlike the western world, even financial institutions open business daily with prayer. Parliament opens daily with prayer,” Mr. Asamoah-Gyadu says. “If you are a humanist and you are in such a society, it’s very difficult.”

Good! If hearing others pray is a major stressor for you you ought to go live alone in the jungle.

3 posted on 11/25/2012 4:02:55 PM PST by TigersEye (Who is John Galt?)
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To: haffast

bttt


4 posted on 11/25/2012 4:07:06 PM PST by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
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To: haffast

When one chooses not to decide, one makes a choice. The religion of “non-religion” is a religion.


5 posted on 11/25/2012 4:15:46 PM PST by Prospero
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To: FReepers; Patriots

FR really needs your help!

Please Contribute Today.

FReepathon Day 56!!

6 posted on 11/25/2012 4:24:12 PM PST by onyx (FREE REPUBLIC IS HERE TO STAY! DONATE MONTHLY! IF YOU WANT ON SARAH PALIN''S PING LIST, LET ME KNOW)
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To: TigersEye

bump


7 posted on 11/25/2012 4:28:11 PM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: haffast

It is not an “unknown” phenomenon in Ghana. The Ghanaians are quite familiar with Communism.


8 posted on 11/25/2012 4:43:32 PM PST by wideawake
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To: haffast

Ghana is the most religious country in the world? Sorry. I’m not buying that. I’m guessing that Poland or Ireland or both are more religious.


9 posted on 11/25/2012 5:04:51 PM PST by PJ-Comix (Beware the Rip in the Space/Time Continuum)
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To: Prospero

When one chooses not to decide, one makes a choice.


Someone needs to clue in conservative liberal-tarians to this fact. Social “neurtality” is surrender of the nation to humanism. It is Rand’s ideological downfall.


10 posted on 11/25/2012 5:05:20 PM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: haffast
In Ghana, where deeply held religious beliefs unite much of the population, a new group has formed around a shared disbelief in religion.

The Humanist Association of Ghana practices a philosophy that is mostly unheard of in Ghana, which a recent survey ranked as the most religious country in the world. Nonetheless, the group has already made waves in West Africa.

All right. Now I'm confused.

The Left claims that "white European capitalist exploiters" invented mysticism so they could cheat the "indigenous peoples" (who were allegedly all secular humanists) of what was rightfully theirs. So what's this with a Third World country being religious? Aren't they supposed to be Marxist?

Also . . . does this make humanism a white, western alien ideology that needs to be banished with the "authenticity" of "true African religion?"

Dang. Over here liberals claim that only "racist rednecks" believe in G-d. Maybe Ghana has been corrupted since the rule of Kwame Nkrumah by "redneck" ideas?

Every so often the "logic" of the Left shows some glimmers of tension and having to ultimately turn against itself. While I don't think this will actually happen (they hate the rest of us too much to quarrel among themselves), the occasional glimmers of dissonance are quite entertaining.

11 posted on 11/25/2012 5:22:10 PM PST by Zionist Conspirator (Ki-hagoy vehamamlakhah 'asher lo'-ya`avdukh yove'du; vehagoyim charov yecheravu!)
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To: PJ-Comix
I don't know if Ghana is the most religious country in the world or not, but my granddaughter teaches third grade at a international school in Accra. She is completely free to share the gospel with the students.
12 posted on 11/25/2012 5:45:04 PM PST by Coldwater Creek (He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadows of the Almighty Psalm 91:)
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To: haffast

The world’s most religious country is probably the Vatican.

After that, it’s probably Saudi Arabia.


13 posted on 11/25/2012 7:24:20 PM PST by Skepolitic
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To: haffast
Lecturers talked about how humanists can stand up for gay and lesbian rights and against traditional practices like witch hunts.

It's funny how "groin issues" so often come first with the "secular." Maybe it would be more realistic to call them "the religion of human genitals," rather than "humanist."

That said, Christians should be "against traditional practices like witch hunts," as well as supporting the basic human rights of those with same-sex attraction.

14 posted on 11/26/2012 7:30:52 AM PST by Tax-chick (Are you getting ready for the Advent Kitteh?)
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