Religion has played numerous roles in individual lives, organizations, and nations.  It is one of the few organizations in the world that has the potential to be one of the most influential and powerful instruments of justice, development, harmony and peace.  Efforts for peace on behalf of war stricken and oppressed nations can be influenced by the contributions of religious organizations.  This particle chapter will focus specifically on the influence that Christian organizations have held in Africa, particularly in the area of peacekeeping efforts.  Christian organizations are particularly compelling because of their prevalence in African nations.  They have held numerous roles in the shaping of African nations.

Religious Conflict

The relationship between peace and religion throughout history and has been ambivalent, and in many ways, precarious.  On one hand, most religions proclaim peace, have worked towards the cause of peace, and believe that a higher being desires peaceful land.  However, there is a disproportionate history of wars fought under the name of the Church, religion, or God.  This traces back from the Crusades to continued conflict currently in Northern Ireland and Israel.  Individuals and organizations feel justified in taking action and holding certain perspectives through the rational association of a religious affiliation.

While religious organizations - specifically churches, missionary groups, and individuals - can bring about great change and initiate peace dialogue and action, many people in African nations have been resistant to their presence.  In his piece on the role of the Catholic Church on African societies, Mario Azevedo highlights the two dichotomous views held on the role of the church in Africa over the past three decades.  "One view, advanced mostly by theologians, missionaries, and 'men of the cloth' in general, tend to see the church and its work as entirely beneficial to Africa, as a force contributing to progress, peace, and man's salvation." (Lang 187) The second view questioned this assessment, leading some to claim that the influence of the church was harmful to both the individuals, cultures, and nations within Africa.

Currently, one of the largest religious conflicts facing African nations is between the Moslems and Christians.  The issue of conflict and tension is particularly highlighted by the organization of the Nigerian political structure.  In Nigeria, the Moslems control the government, economy and military.  However, between 80 and 90% of the citizens in Northern Nigeria are Christians.  "Whatever the stated motives of the religious organizations are, the major point is that they have become agents in the political and social discourse about the future of the Nigerian state." (Lang 34) The religious and the political have become intertwined and filled with tension.

Due to the unequal representation of citizens by members of the political system, Christian organizations have complained to successive Nigerian governments, both civilian and military about the unjust treatment and the obnoxious treatment to which Nigerian Christians had been subjected.  On the other hand, Muslim organizations have in their own way accused the Nigerian government of being biased especially in their social policies.  Religious organizations have been become agents in the political and social discourse about the future of the Nigerian state.  References to religion in social and political discourse have become commonplace. (Lang 34) Christians continue to argue that Nigerians should operate their modern state not on religious truth, but in a political tradition based on a secular justification for the state.

Religious affiliation has become an instrument of corruption in the political arena.  One of the manifestations of religious content in the Nigerian political discourse can be seen in the way religious bodies have gone about organizing and re-organizing their institutions.  Through this process, they have positioned themselves in a way to gain political influence.  Conflict between the religious sects has increased hostility towards the influence of Christian organizations, especially in the political arena.

Purpose of Religious Groups in Africa

Christian organizations fulfill many purposes in Africa.  Their first priority and purpose is that of evangelism.  Christian organizations evangelize through spreading the Word of the Christian Gospel, according to the Bible, building churches, and training Africans to lead Christian lives.  The goal of missionaries is to share the Word of God through their actions and efforts towards peace and justice.  In essence, they are actors to serve towards the greater public good.  Through their humanitarian acts, they seek to share their faith, although evangelism is not the primary purpose.

According to an interview with Brad Fulton, a missionary to Nigeria, the work of Christian organizations and missionaries entails purely evangelistic endeavors.  As a missionary supported by the international collegiate organization, Campus Crusade for Christ, Fulton served as a catalyst for establishing campus ministries in Nigerian Universities.  While evangelism is the focus of many organizations and ultimately, part of the role of Christian organizations, their purpose is not always entirely evangelistic.

Christian organizations also pursue activity in peace keeping efforts and contributions towards social justice and equality.  Many Christian organizations believe that working towards peace is serving God.  Third world nations, particularly African countries, desperately need improved living conditions.  They live under an unstable political system which provides little resources for daily livelihood and even less opportunity for advancement.  Christian Missionaries view all men as "brothers and children of God" thus motivating their efforts to bring a better life to Africans.  Furthermore, Christians believe that they "have life because of the suffering and subsequent death Of Christ.  Just as He suffered and died for us, we too must sacrifice for others." (Bard Fulton) Christian organizations in Africa are inspired and driven by the teachings of the Bible that call people towards helping others and striving towards peace.

In 1970, the 15 Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria devised eight resolutions which served as a mission statement for the council.  The resolutions further clarify the motivations of Christian missionaries and provide a framework that is applicable to many religious organizations working towards peace in Africa.  The first resolution of the Council states that " It is a call from God to recognize that true justice, peace and reconciliation among men flow forth from the justice, peace and reconciliation of God gained for us by the finished work of Christ.  We confess that the proclamation of this is the primary work of the Church.  All our resolutions are practical expressions of our despite to obey this call of God." (The Christian Council of Nigeria 18).

Current Efforts

Christian groups are among the few types of organizations that have the potential to be instruments of justice, development, harmony, and peace.  Religious organizations hold a great deal of power and wield influence in Africa because they are the only groups sufficiently powerful enough to event think about sustaining opposition to the powerful government of many African nations. (Lang 133) Common assumptions that social change can only occur through the government or economy has been proved false by religious organizations.

One of the most prominent figures of social change and peacekeeping efforts in Africa is the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).  The AFSC is an active Christian organization under the auspices of the Quaker sect working towards social justice, peace, and humanitarian service.  They are an internationally recognized organization, particularly prominent for their working third world nations.  They have programs in thirty nations worldwide, with a third of their efforts concentrated in African countries.

One of the five tenants in the Quaker religion is pacifism.  As a result, the organization mainly focuses their efforts on peace and non-violent solutions to conflict in Africa.  Historically, the AFSC has been politically involved in their goal for peace, through working within the political system to help pass laws for social justice, facilitate peace negotiations between warring nations and tribes, and bring aid those in areas harmed by war and violence.  In addition, the AFSC was an active participant in the ending of apartheid in South Africa through non-violent solution development and implementation.

They are also committed to economic justice and demilitarization.  They serve as an intermediary organization between Quaker churches and the African nations and facilitate action for institutions and individuals who are interested in humanitarian projects, but may not be aware of the most effective and cost efficient approach to providing relief.  Churches affiliated with the AFSC donate financial and material resources to the current peace keeping efforts.  A current project being facilitated by the AFSC is "Friendship Kits." This provides both an outlet for increased resources and a way for individuals and churches to aid African nations through building a reserve of supply kits (personal hygiene products) that are useful for refugees and any emergencies.

Missionaries, in addition to formal organizations, are contributing to the peace keeping efforts.  Missionaries tend to be individuals or small groups working on behalf of a particular denomination or acting with the support of a church.  Presently, many missionaries are establishing programs and facilities to aid oppressed people and war torn nations.

Patrick Moynihan is currently the director of Louverture-Cleary, a school in Haiti.  While his efforts currently are in Haiti, his compassion and drive stems from experiences very similar in Africa.  His role at the school includes everything from raising money, talking students. talking to parents, and sweeping floors.  He originally went to both Haiti and Africa with the intent of improving conditions in the nation.  "I have been shown that the kingdom of God exists, that it's here, that all we have to do is work hard and we can make it real.  I just want to get down to it." His motivation is twofold, yet intertwined; he is seeking to improve conditions in Haiti, and bring Christianity to the Haitian vulture.  He accomplished one through the other.  In sacrificing and generously giving his life to others, he hopes that people will realize that he is motivated by a Higher Being and a Higher purpose.  His motivation was "learning to trust God." He felt called to make a difference in another's life by sharing his passion for God and using his intellectual and financial resources.

The level of political activism fluctuates, but most missionaries have other goals than pure evangelism.  David and Linda Arzouni are full time missionaries to West Africa, representing the Assembly of God church in Roseville California.  While the main emphasis of their mission is to share the Word of God, they have also established programs that aid disadvantaged citizens of African nations.  While their efforts are not directly related to peace keeping, per se, they contribute to the freedom of oppression and sickness in African nations.  Currently, their efforts are focused on what they refer to as "Compassion Ministries." This missions project is aimed at providing aid to African citizens that have been affected by continued draught and the near deadly outbreak of AIDS.  According to Arzouni, the two areas that are of greatest concern to he and his wife are the plight of greatly disadvantaged and exploited children and the churches' struggle to address the problems of AIDS afflicted families, many of which are motherless or fatherless.

In addition to their continued efforts to build the congregation of their local church, hold Bible studies for the parish, and evangelize, missionaries generally feel compelled by other causes during their time in Africa.  Their position is not limited to the original purpose, nor is the purpose limited to specific tasks.

Another example of a multi-faceted Christian group is the Board of Global Missions (BGM), under the auspices of the United Methodist Church.  The drive behind the BGM is to work in further partnership with local politicians.  They too have been compelled to work towards medical relief in the AIDS crisis in Africa.  In trying to most effectively deal with the AIDS crisis, the BGM responded through a new covenant relationship with African nation politicians, providing the sick with medicine and other resources.  Reverend Joseph Daniels, a missionary for BGM, stated that "church program staff and local politicians will work with church program staff and local politicians to help the nation and bring together the community and church resources-to further focus on the situation."

BGM's efforts towards the AIDS epidemic in Africa have not only involved the politicians but have also tapped the resources of the educational system.  While the medical resources and knowledge of AIDS that the BGM has provided is invaluable, the problem will not be solved through their efforts alone,   In addition, people must be educated and self aware about issues of health and self preservation.  With this appeal, the African University, located in Zimbabwe has started to provide a course on AIDS education.  The program is made possible by the funding of the BGM, but facilitated and lead by faculty of the University.

Future Goals for Christian Organizations

During the United Methodist Conference, the general Board of Global Missionaries created a Resolution on Human Rights and Democracy in Nigeria.  The resolution is a cohesive statement of the goals of the BGM and their intended future efforts in Nigeria.  The resolution is extensive and mainly focuses on the humanitarian role that the organization plays in Nigeria, but the following sections of the resolution highlight current ideas and priorities of missionaries.  "Be it resolved that the Board of Global Missionaries of the United Methodist Church calls for NGOS, including human rights and democracy - promoting groups, to operate throughout Nigeria.  They can exert internal pressure on the military regime and provide hope for an open participatory political process.  These organizations, however, need to be strengthened through international protection, financial support, additional training and partnerships.  Along with the government, US religious organizations, universities, think tanks, and businesses in Nigeria can all play a role in support." (Christian Council of Nigeria) Increased political involvement and activism appears to be a common trend for Christian organizations.  In pursuing justice from every angle, these organizations are ultimately more influential and effective.

While Christian organizations will continue to purpose peace and justice in Africa, they also walk a fine line in protecting themselves and their livelihood due to the conflict with the Muslims.  As shown earlier, the most prominent and external conflict in Africa is between the Christian and Muslims faiths.  However, many religions occupy Africa, and today the critical problem for African nations has becomes how to manage religious pluralism.

As a pluralistic society, the identity, goals, and ultimately success of the nation states rests upon a foundation and process of communication between citizens.  There is a growing acceptance of the historical reality of Nigeria as a multireligious state.  Christians and Muslims must begin to see themselves as taking part in a joint venture towards building a new nation.  The premise for peace and unity among the two different religious are the same.  The different religions in Africa, particularly the Muslims and Christians, must work together in unity towards a goal that transcends differences.

The Board of Global Missionaries, a group that sponsors and supports many Christian organizations has also set forth a statement for continued effort in Africa.  In their annual report, they resolved to take all steps necessary to achieve the early restoration of democracy, peace, and human rights to the nations of Africa.

Concl,usion

The history of Christian religious organizations in Africa has been tainted by conflict and resistance.  Their current influence, however, strives not only for the expansion of the church, but for the goal of peace, freedom from oppression, and the upholding of human rights.  As an extremely influential sector of society, Christian organizations have an immense responsibility to the people of Africa and are striving to complete a multifaceted range of goals.

Bibliography

American Friends Service Committee, http: / / www.afsc.org

Azouni, David and Linda.  Personal Interview conducted by Karen Ludwig,

October 1998

Balogun, Professor 1. A. B., Utllizi'ng Religions for Peaceful Unity and

Progress in Nigeria.  The University of Ilorin Press, 1981

Board of Global Missions, http: / gbgm-umc.org / africa /

Chikane, Frank, The Church's Prophetic Witness Against the Apartheid

System in South Africa.  South African Council of Churches, 1988

Christian Council of Nigeria, The. justice and Peace in Nigeria , Daystar Press,

Idaban,1971.

Fulton, Brad.  Personal Interview, conducted by Karen Ludwig in November

1998

Lang, Peter.  Religion, State and Society in Contemporary Africa: Nigerian,

Sudan, South Africa, Zaire, and Mozambique.  American University Studies,

New York 1992.

Mala, Sam Babs and Z.1. Oseni, Religion, Peace and Unity in Africa.  Nigerian

Association for the Study of Religions, Idaban, 1984.

Olupona, Jacob K., Religion and Peace in Mtiltl-Faith Nigeria.  Obafemi

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