True religions and religious are now very rare to come by. Religious hypocrisy and fanaticism (fundamentalism) have become the order of the day. These trends negate the cores of religion with fake religious practices and bitter religious superiority contestation, chaos, intolerance and tension (crisis). Until the emergence of Protestantism and religious proliferation in the 15th century, the Catholicity of religion was upheld by the existing ones – Traditional Religion, Christianity (Roman Catholic Church) and Islam, among others, with little or no crisis. The case has become different in contemporary times.
The current motives of religions and the religious are now rather human, unethical, biased and materialistic, and thus the emerging endemic religious issues, fuelled by ethnicity, politics, neo/colonialism, linguistic conflicts and capitalism confronting nations like Nigeria and the like over the years.
This study is concerned with interrogating and exploring the foregoing problems. It maintains that a nation free from religious hypocrisy and fanaticism is bound to be truly religious and tap hugely from the rich prospects of religion, rather than the current otherwise obtained in Nigeria and the like nations. The ugly development calls for wide aggressive religious re-orientation and reformation, as this paper proposes. It relies on textual materials, besides non-participant observation and intuition, for data. The content-analysis is employed, involving qualitative approach and objectivism.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Concept of Religion
- Functions of Religion
- Understanding the Concept of Religious Fundamentalism
- Religion and the Nigerian Nation
- Religious Hypocrisy and Fanaticism
- Religion and Politics in Nigeria
- Expression of Religious Sentiments in Nigeria
- Negating Classical Religious Tenets/Precepts: The Decline of Christianity and Islam
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to investigate the pervasive issues of religious hypocrisy and fanaticism in Nigeria, a nation characterized by a high degree of religious diversity. It explores how these phenomena negate the core principles of religion and contribute to societal problems.
- The concept of religion and its functions in society.
- The nature and manifestations of religious fundamentalism.
- The interplay between religion and politics in Nigeria.
- The expression of religious sentiments and their impact on various aspects of Nigerian life.
- The decline of traditional religious tenets within Christianity and Islam in Nigeria.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central problem of the study: the widespread religious hypocrisy and fanaticism in Nigeria, which contradict the core principles of morality and faith. It argues that the high number of religions in Nigeria correlates with a rise in social vices, highlighting the irony of a "religious nation" plagued by religious woes. The chapter emphasizes the need for religious re-orientation and reformation to address this issue.
The Concept of Religion: This chapter delves into the complexities of defining religion, highlighting the challenges faced by various scholars in providing a universally accepted definition. It explores diverse perspectives on the concept of religion, from the Latin origin of the word 'religare' to the sociological interpretations of its function in society. The chapter emphasizes the inherent challenges in defining religion given the multiplicity of belief systems and practices across cultures.
Functions of Religion: This chapter outlines the significant social functions religion performs, including group integration, social control, meaning-making, stress management, and psychological support. It analyzes how religion contributes to social order and provides a framework for understanding life's complexities. The chapter draws on various scholars to highlight both the positive and negative influences of religion in Nigerian society, emphasizing the role of the Catholic Church in providing support even amidst hardship.
Understanding the Concept of Religious Fundamentalism: This chapter examines the concept of religious fundamentalism, tracing its origins to early 20th-century America. It defines fundamentalism as the adherence to absolute religious doctrines, resisting change and often leading to extremism. The chapter highlights key characteristics of fundamentalist groups, including their counter-modernist tendencies, assertive nature, and belief in a single true religion, drawing heavily from Tamas Patak's work.
Religion and the Nigerian Nation: This chapter examines the role of religion in shaping the Nigerian nation, focusing on the interplay between traditional African religion, Christianity, and Islam. It explores the historical context of religious conversion and the subsequent rise of religious conflicts and problems. The chapter emphasizes hypocrisy and fanaticism as key factors contributing to the decline of traditional religious practices and the prevalence of religious problems in the nation.
Religious Hypocrisy and Fanaticism: This chapter defines religious hypocrisy and fanaticism as contradictions in religious beliefs and practices. It analyzes how these phenomena manifest in Nigerian society, highlighting the deviation from core religious tenets and the resulting social issues, including violence, discrimination, and political manipulation. The chapter argues that the interplay of these factors is the root cause of many of Nigeria's contemporary social and political problems.
Religion and Politics in Nigeria: This chapter explores the complex relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria, differentiating between "political religion" and "religious politics." It examines how religion has been used as a tool for political power and how this has contributed to religious conflicts and instability. The chapter analyzes historical examples of religious influence in Nigerian politics, including the role of religion in the pre-colonial era and post-independence conflicts.
Expression of Religious Sentiments in Nigeria: This chapter examines how religious sentiments are expressed in various aspects of Nigerian life, including the justice system, interpersonal relationships, politics, the military, economy, and education. It highlights the ways in which religious biases and prejudices manifest in daily life, creating divisions and hindering social cohesion.
Negating Classical Religious Tenets/Precepts: The Decline of Christianity and Islam: This chapter analyzes the decline of classical religious tenets in both Christianity and Islam in Nigeria. It contrasts the original teachings of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad with the practices of their contemporary followers, highlighting the prevalence of hypocrisy, fanaticism, and the commercialization of religion. The chapter also discusses the challenges in studying traditional African religion due to its oral transmission and the impact of Western interpretations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Religion, Hypocrisy, Fanaticism, Fundamentalism, Nigeria, Religious Politics, Religious Conflict, Religious Pluralism, Traditional African Religion, Christianity, Islam, Social Vices, Morality, Ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Religious Hypocrisy and Fanaticism in Nigeria
What is the main focus of this study?
This study investigates the pervasive issues of religious hypocrisy and fanaticism in Nigeria and how these phenomena contradict core religious principles and contribute to societal problems. It examines the interplay between religion and politics, the expression of religious sentiments, and the decline of traditional religious tenets within Christianity and Islam.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include the concept of religion and its functions, religious fundamentalism, the relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria, the expression of religious sentiments and their impact, and the decline of traditional religious tenets within Christianity and Islam. The study also examines religious hypocrisy and fanaticism as central problems.
What is the structure of the study?
The study is structured into chapters covering an introduction, the concept of religion, the functions of religion, religious fundamentalism, religion in the Nigerian nation, religious hypocrisy and fanaticism, religion and politics in Nigeria, the expression of religious sentiments, and the decline of classical religious tenets in Christianity and Islam. Each chapter provides a summary of its key findings.
How does the study define religious hypocrisy and fanaticism?
The study defines religious hypocrisy as contradictions between religious beliefs and practices, while fanaticism is characterized by extreme adherence to religious doctrines often leading to extremism and social problems. Both are seen as deviating from core religious tenets.
What is the role of religion in Nigerian politics according to the study?
The study explores the complex relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria, analyzing how religion is used as a tool for political power and how this contributes to conflict and instability. It differentiates between "political religion" and "religious politics," examining historical examples of religious influence.
What is the impact of religious sentiments on various aspects of Nigerian life?
The study examines how religious sentiments are expressed in various aspects of Nigerian life, including the justice system, interpersonal relationships, politics, the military, economy, and education. It highlights how religious biases and prejudices create divisions and hinder social cohesion.
What does the study say about the decline of classical religious tenets in Christianity and Islam in Nigeria?
The study analyzes the decline of classical religious tenets in both Christianity and Islam in Nigeria, contrasting original teachings with contemporary practices. It highlights the prevalence of hypocrisy, fanaticism, and the commercialization of religion, also addressing challenges in studying traditional African religion due to its oral transmission.
What are the overall conclusions of this study?
The study concludes that widespread religious hypocrisy and fanaticism in Nigeria are significant contributors to various societal problems. It emphasizes the need for religious re-orientation and reformation to address these issues and promote social harmony.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include: Religion, Hypocrisy, Fanaticism, Fundamentalism, Nigeria, Religious Politics, Religious Conflict, Religious Pluralism, Traditional African Religion, Christianity, Islam, Social Vices, Morality, Ethics.
- Quote paper
- Odey Simon Robert (Author), Eric Ndoma Besong (Author), 2017, Religious Hypocrisy and Fanaticism in Nigeria. The Apex Problem of a Religious Nation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/358683
