Similarities between ATR and all other false religions.
ATR has many gods like Hinduism or the spiritism of South America. (Some sources do claim that ATR reveres one god at the top of all the other gods. However, all the sources agree that ATR promotes the fear of many spirits with god-like powers. Contrast that with the Christian duty to fear only Jehovah. Luke 12:4-5; Proverbs 1:7)
Like Buddhism and all forms of animism, ATR searches the spiritual world for causes of phenomena in the physical world.
Like the prosperity religion, ATR emphasizes health, comfort, and wealth.
Like all other religions, ATR attempts to take into account the broad scope of everything in the world. Unfortunately, the theological structure of ATR can only stutter out a unity based on mutable, fickle spirits for treating birth, growth, life with others, work, and death.
Similarities between ATR and the one true religion of Jesus Christ.
The gods of ATR affect all areas of life as Jesus Christ places His feet over all of life. 1 Cor. 10:31
The gods of ATR are personal like the one true God, not like the impersonal “deity” in Buddhism.
The gods of ATR make certain demands, and they require a sacrifice when their demands are not met.
The gods of ATR must be feared and respected like the One who said, “Fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
All religions share important similarities. And aren’t short chapters a breath of fresh air?
Other articles in the series on African Traditional Religion:
African Traditional Religion 1: Africa’s God
African Traditional Religion 2: The Gods Never Sleep
African Traditional Religion 3: Similarities with World Religions
African Traditional Religion 4: African Christianity has the Same Theology as ATR.
African Traditional Religion 5: ATR is Uniquely Used by Satan
