Man is a religious being. And, he seeks for explanations for
phenomenal happenings on earth through religious inquiry. When we see the
endless repetition of sunrise and sunset, we are filled with awe. The
development of human embryos in the women’s wombs and the nature’s orderly
systems of doing things are reasons why people believe that a supreme spiritual
being created the earth. So, millions of people on earth today believe that the
existence of God is a reality. In Nigeria, we’ve closet atheists. But, they
risk being called unprintable names if they reveal their religious beliefs.
Nigeria is filled with
intensely religious people who believe that a transcendent being is overlooking
and overseeing human activities on earth. Nigerians are predominantly Christians
and Muslims; however, we’ve practitioners of African traditional religion in
Nigeria who are the custodians of our native cultures. But, the colonization of
Africa by white imperialists nearly obliterated African traditional religion.
Every religion is a way by
which people try to reach their God or gods. All religions are good as they do
not preach hatred and blood-letting. But, some people feel that their religion
is superior to others. Then, they will embark on winning converts to their religion
through coercive ways. Now, religious bigotry and intolerance cause tension
between Muslims and Christians in cosmopolitan cities where adherents of Islam
and Christianity live together.
Our nation has a sad
history of religious violence that claimed thousands of human lives in the
past. The memories of the maitatsine religious uprising are still fresh on our
minds. One Akaluka was decapitated and his head hoisted on a pole for allegedly
desecrating the Koran. Muslims and Christians still clash in northern states of
Nigeria.
Again, Boko Haram
insurgency in the north-eastern part of the country is linked to their
misinterpretation and twisting of the Koran. They want to Islamize Nigeria and
enthrone Islamic theocracy in it. Consequently, the Boko Haram members who are
with sanguinary proclivities have embarked on a killing spree, and our security
personnel cannot rein them in. But, do the Islamic religious codes and laws
encourage and support bloodletting and violence being perpetrated by Muslims?
It is sad that Nigerians
are intoxicated by imported religions. But, the doctrinal teachings of these
religions are based on love. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, brought
the message of love to us. Did Prophet Mohammed, the messenger of Allah,
instruct his followers to kill non-Muslims or infidels? Sadly, owing to nuances
or differences in the teachings of the Muslim sects of Shia and Sunni, the
Muslims in some countries are killing one another. And, some Pentecostal
pastors in Nigeria with warped minds have twisted the teachings of Jesus Christ
to achieve their ends.
Some Churches have
commercialized and monetized Christianity. They reduce the entire teachings of
Jesus Christ to one thing: a means of making money. So, some Christians
that have indoctrinated their members with prosperity message and teaching
about miracles believe that pastors are vessels through which God can visit
them. Many who believe are deceived.
Today, women whose hairs
are muffled in scarves are a common sight. They do visit pastors for prophecies
and prayers regarding their childlessness. As our health system is
dysfunctional, women with the problem of infertility are seeking solution to
their problems outside the hospitals. Often, we are regaled with tales about
how some ladies slept with prophets and pastors so as to become pregnant. These
female desperadoes risk contracting STD in their bid to meet societal
expectations and fulfill a cultural imperative.
But, it is an indisputable
fact that religion has been put to bad use in Nigeria. No religion is bad, but
the practitioners of diverse religions have distorted and twisted the teachings
of their religions to achieve their selfish ends.
The onerous and cardinal
duty of Muslim clerics and Christian ministers is to re-mould the character of
people. But, are they performing this cardinal responsibility? No. While some
Muslim clerics are radicalizing and brainwashing their members to become
suicide bombers, some pastors are hoodwinking naïve people in order to fleece
them of their wealth.
Our current security
challenges and economic backwardness are partly caused by the failure of
religious leaders to lead by good examples and effect moral regeneration among
us. Consequently, Nigeria is going to the dogs. Religion can be a force for national
development in Nigeria, if our religious leaders can turn a new leaf, re-think
their bad ways and play the roles we expect them to play.
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