Mainstream Christian Churches as Obstacles in the Path of Religious Pluralism in Cameroon since Reunification
Mainstream Christian Churches as Obstacles in the Path of Religious Pluralism in Cameroon since Reunification

Summary/Abstract: The religious landscape of Cameroon has significantly changed over the previous century, especially after the 1961 reunification of British Southern Cameroons and French Cameroon. This change, driven by a plethora of forces, resulted in the present multi-religious setup of the country. The challenges connected with this religious diversity (comprising Catholics, mainline Protestants, Evangelicals, indigenous religions, Islam, Orthodox) heightened the need for religious freedom and religious pluralism. In spite the efforts made by the state to establish a plurality tradition in the religious landscape, there are persistent impediments to this project. In light of this, the aim of this paper is to examine how mainline Christian churches have served as impediments to the religious pluralism project in Cameroon. The contextualization of Cameroon’s religious diversity is followed by an overview of religious pluralism in the country. The paper further discusses the multifaceted ways by which mainline Christian churches (Catholics and Protestants) have perturbed religious pluralism in this secular state. It also pays attention to the response of discriminated religious groups to the anti-pluralism practices of mainline churches. Finally, the paper provides some recommendations as informed by what upholds elsewhere. The essay asserts that mainline churches do not believe in religious pluralist inclusiveness and have, in a multifaceted manner, obstructed the establishment of an inclusive culture of religious pluralism in Cameroon.

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