Religion In Things Fall Apart

Although most religions have similar traditions and ideas, they can be interpreted different by those who believe in them. Most places in the world share multi cultures and multi religions and although it can be a good thing, it can also bring conflict to those who feel strong about their particular religion. Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo, a strong man of an Ibo village of Nigeria and his encounter with European missionaries. The invasion of the European missionaries to Umuofia created a religious conflict between the Igbo people and is still seen to this day with the different religious in modern Nigeria. The chaos of religious collision causes conflict between the people in Nigeria, the loss of culture
In contrast to Christianity, they do not believe in just one God and suspected of many things of being signs of evil. The igbo society had many powerful people within their clan that took part in interpreting what their gods, or oracle, wanted to impose on them. They called them priests and they were the ones who ultimately decided the destiny of many. As it was the case of Ikemefuna, a boy from another village living in Umuofia under the care of Okonkwo. “Yes, Umuofia has decided to kill him. The Oracle of the Hills of the Hills and the caves has pronounced it.” (p,57). And it was to be followed, Ikemefuna was killed. Most people will see this as an act of cruelty but to the Igbo society, it was an order their higher power had given and they did not question it. This did not mean they didn’t have compassion or that they wanted to kill him, but showing any signs of this made them weak and they would pay their own consequences for going against the Oracle. This was due to the fact that the Oracle was very important to them, it wasn’t just any God. It was a consultant and a guide to their lives. “The Oracle was called Agbala, and people came from far and near to consult it. They came when misfortune dogged their steps or when they had a dispute with their neighbors. They came to discover what the future held for them or to consult the spirits of their departed fathers.”(p.16). Their religion could have been seen as inhumane but it didn't just bring death and sadness, the gbo people were able to find comfort and safety with their own religion. It was a source that guided them as a society and brought structure and purpose to their