Denial of right to freedom of religion of indigenous peoples

Prohibition of the practice of indigenous religion
Repression of indigenous spirituality
Inappropriate transfer of forms of worship

Nature

Indigenous peoples are prohibited from practising their religion, subjected to forced conversions, and may have their children taken away and placed in missionary schools.

Incidence

During the missionary period, foreign liturgies, hymns and rites were imported into Africa, for example, thus stifling indigenous spirituality. In countries dominated by Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and tribal religions, relating Christian worship to such religious traditions constitutes a major difficulty.

Claim

Prefabricated and imported liturgies reflect particular cultural traditions, which are not necessarily suited to indigenous cultures. In such cultures there may be emotional depths to which such liturgies cannot reach. Any such liturgy is bound to be a frustration to the worshipper.