Talk:African-initiated church

Untitled
I am not happy with the identification of AICs with syncretism. (Perhaps I should state that I am writing from Botswana and am most familiar with this region.) While there is I concede syncretism at one end of the spectrum, most AICs (here, at least) are clearly Christian churches, albeit with some features which the mainline churches regard as unorthodox, and not (like for some example some of the syncretist movements of the Caribbean) mixed religions in which Christian names are being attached to other ideas.

I propose to edit this entry to indicate these reservations (but not removing references to syncretism altogether). Any objections?

No objections, and if you don't do it, I will. SteveH 19:44, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

I agree with the above suggestion -- syncretism seems to me overplayed here (but at the same time also marginalized as if it were "lesser"). There is a big gap with East Africa, odd considering the importance of independent churches in the history of the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya, for example -- churches which are still strong today. 212.49.89.236 12:13, 27 August 2007 (UTC) Soren


 * Yeah, I agree. Many people have pointed out the cultural double standard by which classical Greek influences on Christian thought are ignored (or celebrated) but African influences are labeled as "syncretism". We shouldn't be perpetuating that double standard.... FiredanceThroughTheNight (talk) 01:27, 3 August 2013 (UTC)

Proposed work group
There is currently discussion regarding the creation of a work group specifically to deal with articles dealing with the African Initiated Church, among others, here. Any parties interested in working in such a group are welcome to indicate their interest there. Thank you. John Carter (talk) 16:43, 15 March 2009 (UTC)

A bit bitter?
The introduction sentence to this article seems a bit bitter, as if it were trying to defend itself against what people might believe about the AIC, rather than offering an actual explanation about this movement. I suggest revising the "by..., and not by..." formulation. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.168.225.237 (talk) 08:49, 23 April 2009 (UTC)

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
"The oldest of these is the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church which dates from the 4th century and was one of the first Christian churches in the world."

The Church in Ethiopia is indeed ancient. But even according to their own history, they were not initiated by Africans, and so are not an AIC. The Coptic Church in Ethiopia was established by the Syrian Frumentius, an accidental missionary. (This is noted on the main page for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

So the claim that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is an "African Initiated Church." Moreover, applying the AIC label to a Church body with such ancient origins is anachronistic.

Olcharkuk (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 11:34, 6 January 2020 (UTC)

Religion studies
How did the African Initiated Church develop ? 169.159.175.244 (talk) 12:14, 15 February 2024 (UTC)