The countries with the highest Christian population are the United States of America, Brazil, China, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Nigeria and South Africa. However, the missionaries persevered and were successful in converting many Africans to Christianity. How Many Christians Are In the World Many African slaves who were freed during the American Revolution found their way to the Canadian maritime provinces where their faith was deepened by the fiery preaching of Henry Alline of Nova Scotia. Liberia, founded for free-born American blacks in 1822, played a similar role. Presently, Roman Catholics account for 43.7% of the Rwandan national population. WebA Christian state is a country that recognizes a form of Christianity as its official religion and often has a state church (also called an established church), which is a Christian denomination that supports the government and is supported by the government.. The source does not specify the date of publication. In five countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, and the United Arab Emirates - there is no legal clarity and the death penalty could be applied. Furthermore, although Christianity is the world's largest religion, Christians are in no way immune to persecution.For example, Islamic At the council of Nicaea in 325, Constantine attempted to have church leaders agree on how to understand the deity of Christ. While some Africans were receptive to the message of Christianity, others resisted the efforts of missionaries to convert them. WebThis is a result of the plans that the World Council of Churches has placed; one example of such plan would be the translation of the Torah into the Somali language. And in 1138, Ibn Tashufin forcibly took many thousands of Christians with him to Africa. The result was only a thin veneer of Christianity in most places they influenced. The church has also played a key role in advocating for democracy, good governance, and human rights. What defines a Christian country in Africa? West Africa includes 16 countries and one dependency. In addition, sub-Saharan Africas Christian population is expected to double, from 517 million in 2010 to 1.1 billion in 2050. In 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI visited Africa, it was estimated at 158 million. WebWhile many Muslims in Africa practice their faith in peace and community, across the region some Muslims have been denied their right to freedom of religion or belief. France was given certain countries, and King Leopold II of Belgium was given the Congo, for instance. And now the churches of Africa in the twenty-first century are missionary-sending churches that are spreading the gospel around the world. Hover over a country. HistoryVille. According to the Census of the 2020 Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Yearbook), the number of baptized Catholics in the world was about 1.329 billion at the end of 2018. How Many Countries Are There In Africa? Discover the Truth About the Almighty, Do Scientologists Believe in God? This story can be told in four overlapping waves. Is Loki The God Of Mischief? Kongo and Soyo (kingdoms of Angola) and the Republic of the Congo were exceptions. Get quick analyses with our professional research service. AFP. Christianity was well established in North Africa in the first few centuries after Christ. History of Christianity in Africa 2.1. Contemporary Christianity in Africa: Today, Christianity is the most widespread religion in Africa with over 600 million Christians on the continent. In all 10 countries surveyed, large majorities of pentecostals (ranging from 56% in South Korea to 87% in Kenya) say that they have personally experienced or witnessed the divine healing of an illness or injury. The full list is shown in the table below, with current population and subregion (based on the United Nations official statistics). Jesus said, You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywherein Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Their love affair across one of the worlds most heavily guarded borders had begun on the virtual battlefields of a video game where players bond over From 1990 to 2010, the number of Muslims in the region increased by about Nigeria has particularly witnessed rapid growth in Christianity with numerous African-Christian denominations established across the nation. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Many traditional practices were banned by Christian missionaries, and African customs were deemed uncivilized and primitive. WebGLOBAL CHRISTIANITY BY TRADITION 26. When looking at the total number of Catholics in a nation, Brazil comes out on top. In Europe, 46 of the 50 countries have a Christian majority, as do 34 of the 51 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 27 of the 60 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Violators include governments in both Muslim- and Christian-majority In 1270, a new Solomonic dynasty replaced the Zagwe dynasty. Sierra Leone, a West African colony for freed slaves, was founded in 1787. Congo (Dem. 1. Christianity has had a significant impact on African culture since its arrival on the continent centuries ago. Nigeria alone has over 500 languages (according to SIL Ethnologue), one of the greatest concentrations of linguistic diversity in the world. Protestants account for nearly forty This has helped to create a holistic approach to resolving conflicts that draws on the strengths of both Christian and African traditions. Today, more Christians live in Africa than any other continent. The ideal entry-level account for individual users. What percentage of African countries are considered Christian? The spread of Christianity across the continent has had a significant impact on African culture, politics, and social life, making it an essential topic for study and discussion. In this article, we explore how many Christian countries exist in Africa, the spread of Christianity across the continent, and the challenges faced by Christian Christianitys Approach: Christian teachings emphasize forgiveness, reconciliation, and peacemaking. Some challenges facing Christian countries in Africa include political instability, poverty, religious conflicts, and the spread of extremist ideologies. WebAfrica is a wonderfully culturally diverse continent, and its assortment of religions mirrors that diversity. As the glories of Catholicism faded in the late eighteenth century, a new force arose: Evangelicalism. They used Christian language and symbols to communicate their message to the masses and gain support for their cause. How has Christianity influenced African culture and society? Many African Christian leaders have been at the forefront of campaigns for democracy, human rights, and social justice. Independence and Christianity: Following the independence of many African countries in the mid-20th century, Christianity became more closely tied to African identity and politics. From 1420 until 1800, Portuguese politics and Christian missionaries from Portugal and Spain dominated much of coastal Africa. In this article, we explore how many Christian countries exist in Africa, the spread of Christianity across the continent, and the challenges faced by Christian communities in Africa. Colonization was expedited by the use of religion, and in particular, Christianity. No countries in Europe, North America or the Middle East-North Africa region have a very high degree of religious diversity as measured in this study. ORANGE, Calif. (BP) Violence against Christians is spiking in Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by violence nurtured in Nigeria by Islamic and Fulani terrorists, Open Doors U.S. said Jan. 17 in its 2023 World Watch List tracking Christian persecution globally. One way this has been achieved is through the establishment of mission schools which provided education to many Africans who were previously denied access to education. Despite the growth of Christianity in Africa, there are still many challenges that the religion faces on the continent. Many people have heard this name used in popular . Syncretism: The blending of Christian and traditional African beliefs and practices has led to the creation of unique forms of religious art and music. Facebook: quarterly number of MAU (monthly active users) worldwide 2008-2023, Quarterly smartphone market share worldwide by vendor 2009-2023, Number of apps available in leading app stores Q3 2022, Profit from additional features with an Employee Account. It combined a passion for personal religion with a crusade against slavery and changed the face of Africa forever. Nigeria is currently considered to have the largest Christian population in Africa, with approximately 86 million Christians as of 2021. Of all the countries on the list, Russia is the largest both in land mass and the number of Orthodox Christian followers. Meanwhile, the share However, great Africans who helped shape Roman Christianity included Bishop Cyprian of Carthage and Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. They were two Nigerian former slaves who lived in England and published stories of their liberation and conversion to Christianity. By 2020, this figure is expected to be 64.7%. The Languages of Africa The only Middle Eastern nation that can be considered as a Christian Majority is Cyprus. Gospel Music: The introduction of gospel music in Africa has had a profound impact on the continents music scene. WebIrreligion in Africa, encompassing also atheism in Africa as well as agnosticism, secular humanism and general secularism, has been estimated at over tens of millions in various polls. However, this created a backlash, and sometimes violent debates erupted over the nature of Christ and the Trinity. Join us as we discover the fascinating story of Christianity in Africa. The Ugandan Anglican population is the third largest in the world. An infographic provided by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary shows that more than 631 million Christians currently reside in Africa and they make up 45 percent of the population. Additionally, there have been concerns about the role of some Christian leaders in promoting intolerance towards other religions and beliefs. facts. The story of Christianity in Africa is now a global movement changing the world. But with the advent of Christianity, the continent experienced a rapid invasion of the religion over centuries and has currently become the continent with the largest Christian population in the world. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Contemporary Issues: In recent years, there have been concerns about the decline of Christianity in South Africa, with many young people turning to other religions or becoming secular. In 1900, twice as many Christians lived in Europe than the rest of the world combined. Missionary work was at the forefront of this religious expansion, and many churches and Christian schools were established during this period. Second, a new missionary zeal on the part of the African church. Christianity provided African nationalists with a moral framework and a sense of purpose. In the early years of the twenty-first century, the largest church in England was led by a Nigerian missionary pastor. Africa is a diverse continent that is home to a rich tapestry of cultures and religions. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebNamibia has the highest proportion of Lutherans of any country in Africa, at about 50% of the country's population. Vatican City. However, there are also criticisms of the role of Christianity in African education. He convened church councils to address debates about Christ and Sabbath worship. Today, a majority (55%) of the worlds Anglicans live in sub-Saharan Africa; by contrast, only 33% of Anglicans live in Britain. The introduction of Christianity to Africa had a profound impact on African politics. * An estimate of the number of pioneer workers needed for initial church planting among unreached people groups by country. The Bible was translated into several variations of the Coptic language, and monasticism, which originated in Egypt, spread to the Latin-speaking church of western North Africa. The growth of Christianity in Africa has contributed to the rise of Christianity as a global religion, with African Christians making up a significant portion of the worlds Christian population. 1. In the 4th century Africa While many African countries have experienced significant growth in Christian populations in recent years, some experts predict that this trend may slow down or even reverse in the future. Christianity teaches that every human being is created in the image of God and therefore has inherent worth and value. Of the major religious groups covered in this study, Christians are the most evenly dispersed. WebPoland - 33,037,017. The history of Christianity in Africa dates back to the 1st century AD when it was introduced to Egypt by Mark the Evangelist. Nigeria: With an estimated population of over 200 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the largest Christian nation on the continent. Movements such as Donatism in the fourth century considered imperial Christianity, which owed its allegiance to Rome, as exploitative and compromising. WebIn the 1850s and the early 1900s, there were a handful of members of the Church in South Africa who were of mixed race despite the Churchs restriction on priesthood ordination for black men, but after apartheid began in 1948, Church contact with nonwhite South Africans became increasingly rare. First, the emergence of a large African theological fraternity composed of both Catholics and Protestants. WebThe "10/40 Window" is a rectangular area on the globe between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator and stretching from westernmost Africa to just east of Japan. Including its adjacent islands, the continent occupies about 20 percent of Earth's total land area. Today, nearly four-in-five Orthodox Christians (77%) live in Europe, a relatively modest change from a century ago (91%). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. A study by a German academic says religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa have been on the rise for decades. The largest religion in China is composed of a number of Folk faiths that predate the introduction of Christianity to China. Sub-Saharan Africa now is home to about one-in-five of all the Christians in the world (21%) and more than one-in-seven of the worlds Muslims (15%). About 411 million people live in West Africa. Despite its positive impact, Christianity in Africa has faced criticism for its role in the colonization of the continent and the imposition of Western values and practices. Constantine, emperor of Rome in the fourth century, had a dramatic conversion to Christianity, and that had a direct impact on the early Coptic (Egyptian) church, especially in urban Africa. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 48.1 %. As of now, most Africans identify themselves as Christians, and many as Muslims. What Does The H In Jesus H Christ Stand For? Christian leaders in Africa have often used these principles to help mediate disputes and foster peace between conflicting groups. Many Christian organizations are actively involved in humanitarian efforts, such as providing education, healthcare, and disaster relief to communities in need. WebCatholic Church membership rose from 2 million in 1900 to 140 million in 2000. WebThe introduced religions of Islam (in northern Africa) and Christianity (in southern Africa) are now the continents major religions, but traditional religions still play an important From Egypt, it quickly spread to other parts of North Africa, including Libya and Tunisia. Since antiquity, Africa had been a continent largely involved in indigenous religious practises. This new dynasty reached its peak in the fifteenth century during the reign of Zara Yaqob, who saw himself as an African Constantine. Colonialism and Christianity: During the colonial period, European powers used Christianity to legitimize their rule and control over African societies. Christianity was also introduced to Ethiopia in the 4th century through the work of Syrian missionaries. WebCountries in Africa: 54. WebHospitals in sovereign states of Africa Country (Healthcare link) List of hospitals Category (# articles) # medical facilities Population (1,000) Algeria: List 313: 43,000 Angola: List 1,575 24,383 Benin: List 819 10,009 Botswana: List 624 2,025 Burkina Faso: List 1,721 18,451 Burundi: List 665 9,824 Cameroon: List 3,061 21,918 WebEvery Theocracy Country Currently in Existence in the World: Afghanistan. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Christianity has played a significant role in shaping African culture and society, including the development of education, healthcare, and social welfare programs. The What and Why of Prayer // Africa Study Bible, The Serious Dangers of Modern Media // Africa Study Bible, The Many Benefits of Modern Technology // Africa Study Bible, How to Apply the Old Testament // Africa Study Bible, Is the Old Testament for Christians? By. In the Middle East and North Africa, at least 70% of people say religion is very important to them in all countries surveyed except Lebanon (57%) and Israel (36%). Nigeria is the most populous country in both West African and Africa as a whole. 62 Christians and Jews are projected to remain the second- and third-largest religious groups in the region, respectively, with more modest population gains of 43% and 46%. 2. WebReligion portal v t e Religion in Africa is multifaceted and has been a major influence on art, culture and philosophy. Another way Christianity has contributed to the promotion of human rights is through its emphasis on the dignity of all human beings. Majority of these committed Christians live in Ethiopia, East Africa. Introduction: Conflict is common in Africa, and resolving it can be difficult. The spread of Christianity in Africa was facilitated by several factors, including the use of local languages, the establishment of schools and hospitals, and the involvement of African Christians in evangelism and missions. Africans played a crucial role in establishing the doctrines and theology of the early church. 16 . Sub-Saharan Africa has both the greatest concentration of evangelical Christians (13% of sub-Saharan Africa is evangelical) and the largest share of the worlds evangelicals (38%). Historically, the nations of Aksum, Armenia, Makuria, and the Holy Roman Empire have South Africa: Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa, with approximately 80% of the population identifying as Christians. 78% of the national population of Cyprus are Christians. More than 80 countries favor a specific religion, either as an official, government-endorsed religion or by affording one religion preferential treatment over other faiths, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of data covering 199 countries and territories around the world. Also in the bottom five of Africa countries are the Comoros (788,474), Equatorial Guinea (845,060), Djibouti (887,861), and Gabon (1,725,300). Africa has a significant share of the worlds 2.2 billion Christians. The Role of Missionaries in the Spread of Christianity 2. The European powers saw Christianity as a tool for colonizing and civilizing Africa. Saudi Arabia. In all, 19 countries around the world have at least a million Orthodox Christians, including Romania (19 million) and Greece (10 million). While sub-Saharan Africa has almost twice as many Christians as Muslims, on the African continent as a whole the two faiths are roughly balanced, with 400 million to 500 million followers These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The new era of African missions is still in its infancy. Humility in learning from others and working together. They are highest in sub-Saharan Africa (4.4), though Christian fertility is lower in sub-Saharan Africa than the regions overall fertility rate (4.8), due in large part Similarly, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Europes largest church was shepherded by a Nigerian. In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society, an interdenominational Protestant organization, came into existence to translate the // Africa Study Bible. Africa is now growing predominantly Christian despite crackdowns, Pacwa said. This second trend has seen African Christians move around the world in migration and mission. All 51 countries in the Americas have a Christian majority. 16.0 %. Since , Spread the loveFor centuries, the existence of God has been a matter of deep contemplation and debate among people from all walks of life. Indeed, if current demographic trends continue, the number of Muslims is expected to exceed the number of Christians by the end of this century. Africa is one of the most dynamic centres of Christianity in the world. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of the role that Christianity plays in Africa today, and how it has shaped the continents past and future. WebThe introduced religions of Islam (in northern Africa) and Christianity (in southern Africa) are now the continents major religions, but traditional religions still play an important role, especially in the interior of sub-Saharan Africa. About 20% of Muslims live in the Middle East and North Africa, and nearly 16% reside in sub-Saharan Africa. Accessed July 14, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368604/christian-population-in-africa-by-country/, World Population Review. One of the most influential missionary organizations was the London Missionary Society, which was responsible for the spread of Christianity in many African countries. Christianity was both a movement of spiritual revival as well as a force for justice. Nubia is one of two countries that claim to be the worlds oldest Christian nation (the other is Armenia). The spread of Christianity in Africa has also led to the development of new educational institutions and the translation of the Bible into local languages. With over 1.3 billion people living in Africa, the continent has the largest number of Christians after Europe and the Americas. Challenges and controversies: Christianity in African politics is not without its challenges and controversies. WebReligious freedom is not a given in many parts of the world. Theological orthodoxy became identified with political loyalty that would mark the church for centuries. Then in the 1970s and 1980s, they staggered under the weight of the obligations they had taken on. WebIn addition, in 1970 Christianity and Islam represented 48.8% of the global population; by 2020 they will likely represent 57.2%. The Africa Study Bible is a monumental study Bible, with notes by scholars and pastors in Africa who see the critical need to make Scripture relevant to our everyday lives. Synthesis: Syncretism, the combination of Christianity and traditional beliefs, has been a common phenomenon in Africa. Missionary work from African churches has also contributed to the spread of Christianity to other parts of the world. 1.1. Ethiopia: Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia in the 4th century AD and today it is the second most populous Christian nation in Africa after Nigeria, with approximately two-thirds of the population adhering to Christianity. 80% of these Christians lived in four countries: Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, and Madagascar. By 2010, the number of Christians increased to 48.3%. The most heavily Christian countries on Earth. The Shocking Truth. One challenge is the continued presence of traditional African religions that compete with Christianity for followers. Finally, there is the challenge of poverty and lack of access to resources in many parts of Africa, which can make it difficult for churches to provide basic services and support to their congregations. The recent growth of the religion in Africa is mainly attributed to African African Christianity has become an increasingly important part of global Christianity in recent years, with the continent accounting for a growing percentage of the worlds Christians. The share of the worlds Christians living in sub-Saharan Africa will rise from 24% in 2010 to 38% in 2050.
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