Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa, a 19-country survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life, reveals that the vast majority of people in many sub-Saharan African nations are deeply committed to Christianity or Islam, and yet many continue to practice elements of traditional African religions. And while many Muslims and Christians describe members of the other faith as tolerant and honest, there are clear signs of tensions and divisions between the faiths. The survey, conducted with
generous funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton
Foundation, is based on more than 25,000 face-to-face interviews in more than 60 languages or dialects in 19 countries, representing 75% of the total population of sub-Saharan Africa. This report is part
of a larger effort - the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project - that
analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world.
Explore the report using the resources below.
Quick Links
Full Report Explore the preface, executive summary, report chapters and appendices.
Interactive Database Delve into public opinion on various religion-related topics.
Press Release (Available in
English (PDF)
Français (PDF)
Português (PDF))
Press Conference Call
Audio Recording Listen to Pew Forum experts discuss the new survey during an April 15 press conference call.
Transcript Peruse the written transcript of the conference call.
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Preface
Executive Summary (Available in
English
Français
Português)
Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation
Chapter 2: Commitment to Christianity and Islam
Chapter 3: Traditional African Religious Beliefs and Practices
Chapter 4: Interreligious Harmony and Tensions
Chapter 5: Religion and Society
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
Appendix B: Religious Demography
Appendix C: Survey Methodology
Appendix D: Topline: Questionnaire and Survey Results
Full Topline
Questionnaire
Graphics
Download the graphics and charts created for this report in a .zip file.
africa-resource-graphics.zip (1.75MB 14 charts)
Selected Press Coverage
April 15, 2010
- CNN.com
Africans among world's most religious people, study finds
At least half of all Christians in sub-Saharan Africa believe Jesus will
return to Earth in their lifetime -- part of a pattern that indicates
the region is among the most religious places in the world, according to
a huge new study.
April 15, 2010
-The Economist
Islam, Christianity and Africa: A beacon of faiths
In almost any discussion of religion and Africa,
stereotypes recur. Depending on where they have been, outsiders portray
the continent either as an arena of looming conflict between rival
faiths--or else as a happy-go-lucky world where different beliefs can
easily co-exist, sometimes in the same person's head.
April 15, 2010
- The Associated Press
Africans worried about future religious conflict
More than a quarter of people in sub-Saharan Africa worry about future
conflict along religious lines, though concerns in Rwanda and Nigeria
are even higher, according to a new survey on religious attitudes
released Thursday.
April 15, 2010
- Voice of America
Survey finds one-quarter of Africans fear religious conflict
More than half the population in Nigeria and Rwanda fear future bloodshed along religious lines - so says new research from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. But it says on the whole Christians and Muslims across Africa view one another favorably.
April 15, 2010
- Foreign Policy
Faith in Africa
A new Pew Forum survey on religion in Africa breaks ground on how far Abrahamic faiths have spread on the continent and how it has dramatically shaped societies there.
April 15, 2010
- PoliticsDaily.com
Christian and Muslim beliefs in Africa: Lessons for U.S. foreign policy
If I told you there was a part of the world where large populations of Christians and Muslims say they are getting along pretty well, where majorities would like to make the Bible or the Quran the law of the land, and where most people believe they are living in a generation that will experience profound religious change, would you call that fiction?
April 15, 2010
- Religion News Blog
US study sheds light on Africa’s unique religious mix
In the space of a century, Africa has morphed from a continent dominated by traditional beliefs to one where the majority of people are Christian or Muslim, a US study showed Thursday.
April 16, 2010
- The Washington Times
Christians, Muslims almost equal in numbers in Africa
A continent once known more for witchcraft than worship
has become a stronghold - and a flash point - for the world's two
largest religions, the Pew Forum said in a survey released Thursday.
Photo credit: Sebastien Desarmaux/GODONG/Godong/Corbis
Part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project