RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND PROSPECT. A CASE STUDY BENUE OF STATE

Abstract

This study was on Religious Conflict In Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. A case study Benue of state.  Four objectives were raised which included: To examine the role of church in reducing religious conflicts in the society, to examine the dictates of the church as regards sustainable peace and harmony, to identify the factors disrupting sustainable peace and harmony of the society and to proffer solutions to the issues of religious conflicts in Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents Benue of state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Conflict threat is an inevitable aspect of human interaction, an unavoidable concomitant of choices and decision. The challenge, then, is not to count the frustration of seeking to remove inevitability but rather of trying to keep conflicts in bounds. The Christian tradition has made significant contributions to world peace at a number of different levels (Albert, 2011). Among these are public statements by Church leaders, programs of action at local and international levels, organisations dedicated to bringing about peace, courses of study, commemorative days etc. In recent decades, Church leaders have frequently made statements in support of peace. In some cases these statements have been specific appeals for peace in particular circumstances, however, on other occasions they have also published more comprehensive statements on the need for peace and the means of achieving it. The teaching of Christianity which is guided by the dictates of the bible (word of God) has constantly encouraged the members to ensure peace and harmony in the society.

There is a popular saying “united we stand, divided we fall” which supports the assertion that “unity is strength and division is punishment”.

These statements also depict the life of the people living in a divided society like Nigeria, because different scholars have described Nigeria as a divided society. Horowitz (1985) in Okpanachi (2009) established that one of the most challenging aspects of divided societies is that they face particular obstacle in maintaining peace. He also added that “from a similar point of view, a plural society is a society divided by what Harry Eckstein (1966) calls “segmental cleavages.” He says: “This exists where political divisions follow very closely, and especially concern lines of objective social differentiation, especially those particularly salient in a society.” Segmental cleavages may have religious, linguistic, regional, cultural, racial, or ethnic dimensions. In essence, a divided (that is, plural) society is defined by the coexistence of incompatible institutional systems and, therefore, force must be used to maintain order. Okpanachi’s view was buttressed by Osaghae and Suberu (2005) who described Nigeria as one of the most deeply divided states in Africa because of its complex web of politically salient identities and history of chronic and seemingly intractable conflicts and instability.

Christianity which is one of the predominant religions in the world today teaches peace and encourages all adherents to the faiths to pursue peace and live peacefully with one another. The above statement now seems to be questionable with the rise of intra, inter and ethno-religious conflicts in the world. While most Arab and some European countries are faced with intra-religious conflicts, an African country like Nigeria is faced with both intra and inter-religious conflicts. Nigeria, which is popularly known as Africa’s most populous black nation with a population of now about 170 million people, with more than 250 ethnic groups has Christianity and Islam as its predominant religions, though there is still in existence the African Traditional Religion (ATR).

Christianity as a word means followers of Christ or Christ like. Christians therefore are those who follow and act the teaching of Christ in all ways of life. One of the climaxes of Christianity or Christian virtue is peace. Christians are enjoined in the Bible to embrace and live peacefully with their neighbors’. The following scriptures confirm this: Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34 vs 14). Blessed are the Peace makers for they shall be called the children of God Matthew 5 vs 9). Let him eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it (1 Peter 3 vs 11). Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12 vs 14). If it be possible, as much as it lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Rom 12 vs 18)

The word Peace in Christianity is translated from the Hebrew word ‘Shalom’, which is a key word in the Bible and it’s at the center of how God wants us to live on earth. One of the key things Jesus came to give humanity is Peace and expects us to live in peace as cited in the scriptural verses above. Peace was not only what Jesus taught but He also lived it, this in most cases is what scholars call pacifism, as Jesus never taught violence, even at his arrest by the Pharisees and one of his disciples struck the ears of the priest, Jesus rebuked the disciple and said that “those who live by the sword shall die by the sword” (Mathew 26:52, NKJV). In another place Jesus taught the people not to retaliate any evil done to them as it used to be, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, if one should strike you on the right cheek, turn the left cheek (Mathew 5:38-39, NKJV) but now to always forgive those that offend them and he charged them to forgive their neighbors even seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22, KJV). With all these scriptural teachings of the church, Christians are meant to foster peace and harmony in the society.

Therefore, this study attempts to look into the divided society of Nigeria by analyzing the causes of the disunity, crises and conflicts. Consequently, the role of churches in ensuring sustainable peace and National development in the country.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

The church has always taught the members on the act of non-retaliation as taught by Jesus who helps to absorb violence instead of escalating it, hence every cycle of violence provoking revenge, which in turn provokes more violence is broken by the simple act of tolerating the violence and avoiding retaliation. On the contrary, there has been an increased case of disruption to peace and harmony in the world today despite the church teachings of peace as stipulated by Jesus Christ. However, the researcher is examining the role of church in ensuring peace and harmony in the society.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of this study is to examine religious conflict in Nigeria; issues and solutions. The research intends to outline the following sub-objectives;

1. To examine the role of church in reducing religious conflicts in the society.
2. To examine the dictates of the church as regards sustainable peace and harmony
3. To identify the factors disrupting sustainable peace and harmony of the society.
4. To proffer solutions to the issues of religious conflicts in Nigeria.

1.5     Research Hypotheses

H₀: The church is not encouraging religious, political and ethno-religious crisis in Nigeria.

H₁: The church is encouraging religious, political and ethno-religious crisis in Nigeria.

H₀: The Church has played a significant role in sustaining peace in Nigeria.

H₂: The Church has not played a significant role in sustaining peace in Nigeria.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be useful for the government, church leaders and the general public on the role of the church in ensuring sustainable peace and harmony in the society. This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic. It will provide valuable insights into existing relationship between the government and the church in providing sustainable peace in our rural communities. It will bring to the fore the prominent roles the Church has been playing in sustaining peace since she made her advent and the situation today. It could also motivate the various stakeholders in community development to partner well with the Church in bringing sustainable peace to the grassroots. It will add to existing knowledge and equally serve as a benchmark for further studies. It will serve as a model to other NGOs in their contributions to sustainable peace. It could also bring to the knowledge of other religions that religion is not just “otherworldly,” that they work for the material and psychological wellbeing of men and women when they are being well practiced.

• Scope and Limitations Of The Study

This study will cover the position of the church and Christianity in general as regards the issue of societal peace and harmony. The study is limited to churches in Benue State

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Related Project Topics :