The Christian Concept of Forgiveness and Anang Morality

Abstract

This paper examines the major causes underlying the spread of what African elders and Westerners alike regard as immoral behavior among Anang youth in Southeastern Nigeria. The Anang have experienced profound cultural change since World War I, at which time they were finally pacified by the British and the first trading post and Christian mission were established among them. When this change is assessed, it is apparent that most of the forces contributing to immorality among young people in other African societies are also operative in Anang society, namely the breakdown of traditional political, religious, and kinship forms and the adoption of Western values, especially those in the economic realm.¹ This paper treats these common causal factors, but emphasizes one in particular which is important in producing immorality among Anang youth: Their acceptance of the Christian concept of forgiveness. Probably this new doctrine is affecting the behavior of other African peoples in a similar manner, but, if so, it has not received adequate attention in acculturation studies.