Contesting Cameroon: Insightful Engagement of the Southern Cameroons Struggle

Neil deGrasse Tyson as Science Evangelist

Here is part of what I meant to say with the post before this one.

Science and Technology Evangelists Wanted in Africa

It is debatable what life in many African countries would be like if science and technology were as ubiquitously promoted as religion. While it is not certain what such a life may look like, one may hazard the suggestion that the ubiquitous promotion of science and technology in the continent may lead to improved medical care that would reduce deaths from curable health issues such as malaria, stem infant and maternal mortality, prolong life for the chronically ill, develop sustainable agriculture to address food shortages, and develop technology to address infrastructural needs, among many others. While some of the ills the continent faces today, such as political conflicts, may not be blamed on limited attention given to science and technology, there is no denying that significant emphasis still needs to be paid on science and technology in the continent.

            Instead of the development of science and technology, however, more attention is apparently being placed on the spread of religion in the continent. In addition to indigenous African religions, other religions around the world are keen on improving their stakes in the continent. Thus, religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Bahai, and others, are making the run in the continent. Recently it has been noted that about half the population of the continent is now Christian, with Pentecostalism becoming not only a churchly but also a societal phenomenon in many African countries. Islam, the second largest religion in the continent, is said growing by leaps and bounds, even as these religious are often appropriated within the framework of African indigenous religions.

            The fact that many Africans experience these other religions within the framework of their indigenous religions is significant because the quest for human well-being is central in indigenous religions, as would seem to be the case in all religions. This quest for human well-being makes indigenous religions to be quite amendable to scientific developments that address various human needs. Given that many of the difficulties the continent faces may be addressed through scientific and technological research, it would not be out of place to argue that such research would be welcome in many African countries. However, the establishment of such research facilities has been few and far between. Even as the educational infrastructures are struggling in many countries the churches and mosques and shrines are increasing. Thus, while religion, which Africans are said to be rich in, is increasing, science and technology, which many in the continent are in dire need of, do not appear to be experiencing significant boost.

            Why are the religions gaining ground in the continent while scientific and technological research hardly budge? Many reasons may be given for this but a very important one is that it is cheaper to promote religion than it is to promote science and technology. While enormous resources are needed to initiate and sustain a lab or research center, it costs less to start and sustain a religious community. With their limited resources, starting and sustaining a religious community has proven to be more viable. Thus, Jesus Christ and Karl Marx have been proven to be quite right when they noted that the poor rather than the rich are the target of religion. Because of the sheer cost of spreading science and technology, these are often ubiquitous in richer countries with significant resources while religions are often exported to poorer countries like those in Africa.

            Apart from the cost, however, the method of spreading religion and science and technology are quite similar: both require the evangelistic spirit because both seek to create and sustain converts. How this is so was especially evident during the so-called Scientific Revolution where an inventor like Robert Boyle needed to convince the wider public of the efficacy of his air-pump. This led to what Steven Shapin has described as the “populizarization of science.” We need science evangelists to popularize science and technology in Africa today. Perhaps those who popularize the various religions in Africa may also take up the cause of science and technology for, to misquote Jesus Christ, human beings do not live by the spirit alone.

Donald Trump Selling As Military Dictator in Nigeria

Image of American President Donald Trump