culture and what is religion. Others state that the term syncretism is a vague one, since it can be applied to refer to substitution or modification of the central elements of Christianity or Islam with beliefs or practices from somewhere else. The consequences under this definition, according to missiologist Keith Ferdinando, are a fatal compromise of the religion's integrity. However, communities in Africa (e.g. Afro-Asiatic) have many common practices which are also found in Abrahamic faiths, and thus these traditions do not fall under the category of some definitions of syncretism. Religious distribution The most recent census data are used. See also Major religious groups Religion in Asia Religion in Europe Religion in Oceania Religion in North America Religion in South America References Further reading Bongmba, Elias Kifon, ed. The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to African Religions (2012) excerpt Engel, Elisabeth. Encountering Empire: African American Missionaries in Colonial Africa, 1900–1939 (Stuttgart: Franz Steiner, 2015). 303 pp. Mbiti, John S. Introduction to African religion (2nd ed. 1991) excerpt Olupona, Jacob K. African Religions: A Very Short Introduction (2014) excerpt Parrinder, Geoffrey. African Traditional Religion. (3rd ed. London: Sheldon Press, 1974) Parinder, E. Geoffrey. Africa's Three Religions. (2nd ed. London: Sheldon Press, 1976). The three religions are traditional religions (grouped), Christianity, and Islam. Ray, Benjamin C. African Religions: Symbol, Ritual, and Community'' (2nd ed. 1999) External links African Beliefs "African Traditional Religion" in "The Story of Africa" from the BBC World Service Text of Atoms and Ancestors, considered a classic study Stanford Page African Religions at Africa Missions Resource Center Tutelary deities of the Akan people of West Africa pl:Religie rodzime Afryki