THE CASE FOR CONTAMINATION
‘The case of contamination’ article that Kwame Antony wrote deals with the change of culture due to globalization. As the author highlights, globalization positively impacts the traditional ways of living. Kwame outlines different cultural interactions that are affected by globalization. For example, he demonstrates how the Ghana people have adapted the western way of life. The Ghanaians have incorporated some aspects of western life during their traditional festivals. It is so evident in this article that the natives and western people have developed a powerful connection between them (Appaiah,2006). Kwame is a clear example since he was born y half cast parents (from different countries). As Kwame argues, interactions between the Ghanaians and the locals never resulted in assimilation. This essay will discuss the role of religion as shown in the author’s article, respond to the question of whether contamination advocated by Kwame in the article is good, and lastly, answer the question of whether religion should change or not.
As highlighted by Kwame Appiah, religion can serve as cultural anti-cosmopolitism or artifice. Religion is also subjected to changes, just like any other form of deceit. According to Appiah 2006, religion also invokes both positive and negative changes. According to Kwame, the evolution of ideas and facts that change religions is as a result of globalization. Similar roles of culture and language are played by religion. Diversity of religion should be acceptable in Ghana, just like the culture is likewise acceptable. The Ghanaians traditional way of dressing wouldn’t change it, not for Changes brought by the westerners.
Moreover, it would be impossible to adopt new fashions without incorporating changes in culture. Diversity in culture helps individuals appreciate the culture and attain mental abilities and reduce homogeneity. Cultural diversity also enables individuals to have maturation of morals; thus, life fullness is achieved.
As Kwame highlights, the role of religion is considered to be a dangerous one. the global utopia in this article is shown as a troublesome one. faded ideas and backlash to humanity are represented by religious utopia (Appiah, 2006). The narrow-mindedness in a country may bring up ideologies of utopia, and people may turn against each other. In this article, Kwame describes culture as a general injustice, and that is against human standards. According to the author, if culture is nurtured against religion, there will be an imperialist disposition. Some figures such as Marx, Mao, and Pol Pot utilized universal humanity concepts as they ended religion.
The focus of Kwame Appiah on religion roles in the change of cultures has led to cosmopolitanism advancement and the emergence of the universal citizenry. Nevertheless, Kwame is seen to focus more on the importance of hybridization and Christianity. According to history, religion roles help in the liberation of Romans and the Gentiles in the belief that Jesus was God’s Son. The role of religion also depicts mythical Jesus as referred by other classes of scholars. Hence, artifice plays an important role in influencing religion’s cultural change (Appiah, 2006). Kwame also argues that religion is much known for causing biasness, wars, and separation of human beings in religion. The biasness tends to isolate humankind from the achievement of complete cosmopolitanism and universalism that is real. The main barrier to the achievement of universalism is the differences in the religion of an institution. As an ethical advocate, Kwame gives advice to religions to have tolerance and respect towards each other. As a result, individuals will be able to make independent decisions that will likewise harmonize different religious denominations across the globe.
Kwame describes religious contaminations as countless imitations as well as revisions that are made from religious practices and beliefs. Loss of authenticity and purity of religion is a result of religious contamination. In my opinion, however, I find the contamination advocated by Kwame to be good for religion. Each religion should constantly have a review of their beliefs and practices to ensure they the practices are rhyming to humanity and also, they maintain deities’’ respect. To say the least, some religions are very uncivilized, and Kwame’s kind of contamination is the only way for harmonization of these religions, using today’s educated and progressing generation. There is no religion, in the name of pleasing the gods, should promote actions that are against humanity. If the religions lose their purity of authenticity as a result of contamination, then it should be the case. It should also be considerably noted that the contamination that Kwame describes should be the one that makes the religions in question better but not one that worsens.
Religion should encourage influences as well as become more cosmopolitan, even if it involves abandoning or questioning some religious traditions (Appiah,2006). In my view, religion should be like a cultural artifact. Cultural change is accepted universally; hence it should be part of religion. I support this argument since I think that humans should embrace change as it occurs rather than staying in static positions. I also abide by the fact that homogeneity in culture may be a barrier to human development in the achievement of higher goals in life. In my opinion, I also think that religion should be an approach that gives people peace. Religion is supposed to give both mental and spiritual satisfaction to every human being. Religion should be a platform that allows people to share their diversity in values and beliefs rather than being a platform of conflicts. Each individual should adopt the teachings of each religion with love and acceptance. The sharing of ideas that give human beings autonomy, self-direction, and liberation is encouraged in cosmopolitanism concept. Human beings should evade narrow-mindedness and live in harmony despite religion being inherently related at times.
Reference
Appiah, K. A. (2006). The Case for Contamination. Retrieved from: