ABSTRACT
This study examined the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in the society.
The study used quantitative method.
The study revealed that; the church role has a significant relationship in ensuring peace building in conflicting area; the church has a significant relationship in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigerian society; there are factors limiting the effectiveness of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigerian society; the strategies adopted by the church have significant relationship in ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian society.
The study concluded that; religious organizations have played mediatory and humanitarian roles towards peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. These roles includes; religious tolerance, honesty and impartiality among others. Christian leaders and institutions have attributes that are considered trustworthy and credible by the local population to their established roles in their respective communities and as such should be used in conflict situations and peacemaking. Nigerians should be reoriented to see themselves as brethren no matter their religious differences. The study further recommended that; church leaders should approach politicians and teach them the importance of good governance and encourage them; church leaders should preach and promote ethno-religious tolerance and to accommodate opposing views as part of deepening peaceful co-existence and harmony in the country; church leaders should monitor Christian politicians in order to sponsor bills of peaceful co-existence; inter-faith training of the youths should be encouraged by the church leaders so as to enlighten them about the faith of others; church leaders should ensure the protection of religious freedom of the citizens; there is need to promote a human rights based approach to the protection of religious freedom in Nigeria; the church should redouble their efforts as facilitator of dialogues and mediators of conflicts between conflicting parties; the church should setup their advocacy by sensitizing and orientating the people about their rights and the rights of others especially on peaceful co-existence, civic and religious rights, among others.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1. Background of the Study
Nigeria is a country that consists of over two hundred and fifty diverse ethnic groups. The country is abundantly rich in diverse cultures and natural resources, (Ejikeme, 2016). The most practiced religions in Nigeria are Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion. Due to differences in tribes and religious beliefs, there are several incidences of hostilities, resulting in destruction of lives and properties, (Ejikeme, 2016). Hostilities are recorded along the line of tribes and religions. According to Higazi (2011), the various elements that underline conflict are ethnicity, politics and religion. The hostilities have turn out to be so pronounced that the peace and unity of the country is under threat. A number of these threats can be attributed to political crisis, militancy, land disputes, trade disputes, and religious crisis among others. It has turn out to be very challenging for a person of a culture to live in another different culture or religion in Nigeria without the fear of being killed. This is probably the reason Olawale, (2013) tagged Nigeria a “security risk nation” to which many international communities have given warning to their citizens not to live or even travel to Nigeria.
Nigeria as a country has been experiencing several crises, social vices, and lack of cordial relationship among her citizens since independence, (Ajayi, 2015). In a good number of states in Nigeria, one will always hear various stories of violent conflict involving individuals or groups. For example, Odi Massacre in Bayelsa state, Urhobo - Iteskiri crisis in Warri, Jimeta clash in Jos, the Baddo crisis in Ikorodu, (Egwu, 2018), Boko haram unrest in the northern states, among others. In all these conflicts, many individuals are displaced, properties are destroyed and lives are lost, (Orude, 2015). According to Obuseh (2016) opined that, Nigeria cannot live in peace because “of selfishness”. Corroborating the view of Obuseh (2016), Oluwaseun (2015) opined that, religion is as a threat to Nigeria’s peaceful co-existence. According to Oluwaseun (2015), it is easy for a Yoruba to marry an Efik than for a Muslim to marry a Christian and vice versa. This as well shows religious intolerance as a threat to unity.
The role of the church in peacemaking and harmony is strengthened by the fact that the social and political crisis in the society questions radically the message of the gospel. Peace is the tranquility that flows from right order, (Sindole, 2010). When we put right order into the structures of our society, the tranquility that results is peace, (Lederach, 2013). However, a number of people see peace as the absence of war or violence. In peace building efforts by the church, peace is seen as the transformation of contextual and destructive interactions into more co-operative and constructive existence, (Ejikeme, 2016). The above brings us to the role that church can play in ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian society. A number of scholars are of the opinion that, Christianity cannot play any role towards peace building because religion itself is arguably one of the single most significant causes of war and turmoil in human history, (Abu-Nimer 2014, Gopin 2016). So much malevolence have been done in the name of religion, (Ayer 1976, Cited in Collins et al. 2012). However, so much good has as well been done in the name of religion.
The successful expansion of the Christian missions in Nigeria started in the 19th century through the activities of freed slaves from Sierra Leone, (Anene, 2013). Missionaries’ activities carried with it the building of schools, churches, roads, hospitals and of course other institutions of government. It should be borne in mind that social reforms came with Christianity-commitment to national, moral and political advancement. Christianity featured prominently in the series of events that led to the development of Nigerian nation, and were able to bring about certain political, economic and technological changes in the region, (Ajayi, 2015). Their activities helped to break down ethic prejudices and to bring their converts in loyalty transcending ethnicities. Hence, patriotic Nigerians came to believe that by practicing Christianity they were paving the way for the creation of the Nigerian nation, (Anene, 2013). The Nigeria state of their dream was one in which Christianity would blossom inter-ethnic wars would come to an end, and the industrial, technological and intellectual revolutions which had occurred in Europe would repeat themselves in Nigeria. By encouraging a common consciousness, Christianity would reduce to a minimum all other sectional loyalties such as the many incipient tribal/crisis groups that divided Nigeria, (Okwueze, 2013)
Before peace can be said to exist in a country, the citizens must be free from all forms of violence such as political, economic, social, or religion, (Sindole, 2010). According to Gaiya (2017) opined that, religion instill every aspect of Nigerian life, from fundamental greetings (we thank God) to name of businesses such as God’s Grace Venture, God is Good Motors, etc. Engaging it in conflict settings can provide unique opportunities to intervene in ongoing conflicts or to reduce the risk that violence will erupt. Christian teachings can provide values, norms, and motivations that support non-violent approaches to raising and confronting differences. It can also provide empathy and compassion that can sustain reconciliation and problem solving across divisions, (Gaiya, 2017).
One of the ways through which the church has helped in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigeria is by appealing to the conscience of the people through ethical teachings, (Oluwaseun, 2015). Conscience is a judge or guide. According to Agbogurin (2018), it is perceived as, the science of moral conduct. The Church in the course of her humanitarian activities has brought relief to the oppressed by improving their living standards. In many places, the church has been in the vanguard against crises and injustice. Using Nigeria as a case study, the church’s peace and humanitarian initiatives has been demonstrated as follows: Ever since the beginning of Nigeria civil war which lasted from 1967 to 1970, apart from public declaration in condemnation of the civil war, the church have made a number of attempts to bring assistance to the Biafran people, (Okwueze, 2013). The church embarked upon campaigns making several trips abroad to appeal to international humanitarian agencies to come to the rescue of the Biafran’s. However, food, clothing and drugs were donated in large quantity by such humanitarian bodies as UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, WCC and the Red Cross Society. Long before the outbreak of the war, Christian leaders campaigned enthusiastically to stop the war hostilities. According to Okwueze (2013), on March 21, 1967, a delegation of church leaders made up of representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Methodist, the Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army called on the then Military Head of State, Col Yakubu Gowon, the aim of this visit was to appeal to the head of the military faction to see reason and vote for peace.
Further, in order to alleviate the sufferings of the powerless and weak civilians on the Biafra side, the church got Caritas International, a humanitarian organization, who supplied food and medication in large quantity, (Anene, 2013). Among the Biafran’s, the name Caritas became synonymous with charity. While the war was on, the church was helping to fight hunger and disease and this was possible by the assistance which they got from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Vatican, (David, 2013). Religious organizations did not keep quiet in all these crises. The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), issued a statement geared at ensuring peace. The statement as signed by its president, Dr. Mike Okonkwo read that, “the rise of ethnic and religious violence and the kid gloves with which the federal government is handling the matter is fast sending dangerous signals to this nascent democracy. The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) noted that, the federal government is quick to take very hard and harsh decisions on vulnerable civilians whenever there is social instability in areas that are mostly populated by Christians. The statement went further to add: we are therefore, calling on the federal government to do everything possible to call these Jihadists to order, so as to avoid a looming crisis.
The Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) have as well risen in condemnation of crises across the country. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) made several headlines statements with reference to Boko Haram. In 2014, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor told reporter, “I will now make a final call to the Nigerian government to use all resources available to it to clearly define and neutralize the problem as other nations have done. He further stated that, the church leadership has hitherto put great restraint on the restive and aggrieved millions of Nigerians, but can no longer guarantee such cooperation if the trend of terror is not halted immediately, (Daily Trust, 2014).
The Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the persistent attacks of the Boko Haram sect on Christians and churches across the Northern States, is a planned attempt to wipe Christians from the region. Chairman of CAN in the state, Reverend Sam Kraakevik Keyiyat, in a statement said the attacks and killings of Christians in Bayero University, Kano were barbaric”, (Daily Trust, 2016). This shows that there are reasonable people in CAN, who are working as hard as they can for peace. However, religious group laments increased killings by Boko Haram. The North Central CAN Chairman, Yakubu Pam, according to Vanguard November 16, (2014), led other Christian leaders to visit the state police commissioner, noting that latest statistics showed over 264 deaths had been recorded in Riyom and Barkari Ladi local government areas of Zaria after the 2015 elections. The president of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor urged the federal government not to negotiate with Boko Haram, stating that, it’s a waste of time, energy and effort simply because people are being murdered every day. Rather Pastor Ayo Ortisejafor suggested possible solutions such as; Christians must not relent in their prayers. There have to be a divine input into what is happening. Christian leaders to address the Christian politicians regularly and to monitor how they sustain peaceful co-existence.
The church has set up indigenous churches all over the place in Nigeria. According to Hanks (2010), in the 20th century various mission bodies seriously evangelized and established schools and colleges and opened clinics and hospitals, introduced more advanced methods of farming, reduced the native language to writing and began translating the Bible. Going through the country, one sees these institutions all over Nigeria. In the opinion of Lemu (2012), there equally seems to be growing numbers of Junior and Higher Islamic schools and colleges in Nigeria. There are over 400 Seminaries/Bible Colleges, and Christian universities established by the Catholic, Protestant and the Pentecostals in the present Nigeria, (Lemu, 2012). There are as well a number of shrines, covens and prayer houses where apprentices are being taught the traditions of the Africans. These institutions have produced more clerics, Priests, Bishops, priest healers, Imams and the likes. More Nigerians are becoming lecturers in the colleges and universities. The church has greatly assisted in wiping out illiteracy, (Appleby, 2016). The church has played significant roles in the evolvement of a literature culture in Nigeria. This was through the establishments of various missionary and quoraic schools in Nigeria, (Lemu, 2012).
According to Mbachirin (2011), Christianity has made great achievements in the areas of healthcare and rural development since its inception in Nigeria. The church encourages people to live moral lives by providing them with the virtues of humility. Omoregbe (2016), states that one of the virtues taught by the church is the virtues of humility. This provides man with a new dimension to the concept of leadership and greatness. The church has over the years produced great leaders in Nigeria who has championed the cause of leadership, (Dike, 2017).
Another area of the churches contribution towards peaceful co-existence in Nigeria is in the ordinations of women clerics in the Presbyterian ordained Bishops in 1900s and 2000s. The ordination of Mrs. Marguret Idahosa of the church of God Mission, Benin, is a case in point (Anene, 2013). The Roman Catholic Church resists ordination of women as Priests. Equally, more and more Pentecostals are being elected into the leadership positions of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Local, State and National levels which had not been the case before.
Based on the above backdrop, it can be seen that Nigeria is a very fertile soil for religion the church has done a lot to bring about peace and harmony of the various tribes and religious groups.
1.2. Statement of the Problem
The powers of religious actors derive from their moral legitimacy, a belief that peacemaking is a critical manifestation of their faith and their relationships with key constituencies, (Lemu, 2012). These elements provide religious actors with immense potential as conflict managers and when translated into practical action can and do generate solutions to conflict, (Ajayi, 2015). However, there are several challenges in the actual role religious organizations play in ensuring peace building.
The Boko Haram crises in Northern part of Nigeria where the efforts of the religious organizations have not really been successful, despite their enormous impacts and continued involvement in the national political processes, (Ajayi, 2015). Despite the church having a mission of peace and being predominant, conflicts, especially ethnic conflicts have continued to increase in various parts of the country. This is an indication that probably there is a weakness in the strategy the church adopted in ensuring peace building, (Okwueze, 2013).
Diverse efforts have been made to bring peace and harmony in the country; however, those efforts have been based on the frameworks of political leadership. The ineffectiveness of these efforts to achieve peace building within societies shows the need for use of other avenues such as the church. This is due to the potential for the church to inculcate the message of peace building to the society such as Nigeria where there has been resurgence of ethnic conflicts.
However, little or no research has been carried out on the role of church in ensuring peace and harmony in societies, which is a gap this study will fill by examining the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian societies, by exploring the role played by the church to enhance peaceful coexistence among Nigerian societies.
1.3. Research Objectives
The main objective of this study is to assess the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian society. However, the specific objectives are to:
- evaluate the actual role the church has played in ensuring peace building in conflicting areas.
- determine the effectiveness of the church in bringing peace and harmony in the society
- identify the factors hampering the church effectiveness in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigerian society
- find out the effective strategies that the church could adopt in ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian society.
1.4. Research Questions
Based on the above objectives, the following research questions are poised.
- What is the actual role played by the church in ensuring peace building in conflicting areas?
- To what extent is the effectiveness of the church in bringing peace and harmony in the Nigerian society?
- What are the factors limiting the church effectiveness in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigerian society?
- What are the effective strategies the church could adopt towards ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian society?
1.5. Research Hypotheses
The following research hypotheses will be formulated in their null form.
Ho1: The church role has no significant relationship in ensuring peace building in conflicting area
Ho2: The church has no significant relationship in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigerian society
Ho3: There are no factors limiting the effectiveness of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in Nigerian society.
Ho4: The strategies adopted by the church have no significant relationship in ensuring peace and harmony in the Nigerian society.
1.6. Significance of the Study
The study examined the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in the society. This study will draw the attention of the religious leaders and councils on how they seek to ensure and promote peace building in the society. The findings of this study will help provide raw material for church leaders to develop effective strategies that can be used to enhance peace building and harmony in the country.
This study would as well be beneficial in all sphere of the country in ensuring peace building in all aspects such as the political, economic, and social development of a community and as well as the unification of the diverse ethnic groups in the country. The findings of this study will also provide the policy makers and government with institutional frameworks and policy inputs that will help promote peace building across the federation and to formulate policies in its direction. The research will add to knowledge in the peculiar nature of church role in ensuring peace and harmony in the country.
Finally, this study will be of beneficial to other researchers who will be interested in carrying out further studies on religious leaders roles in the promotion of peace building and harmony in the country will find this study very useful as a reference.
1.7. Scope of the Study
The study explored the role of the church in ensuring peace and harmony in the society. The scope of the study will be limited to church and the role played in peace building using Winners, The Catholic Church, The Redeemed Church of God and the Pentecostal Church as the study case. These churches were selected because they have branches in every part of the country and have as well been at the forefront in ensuring peace and harmony in all parts of the country. Therefore, using the churches will enable us gather raw facts on the major roles played by church in ensuring peace building and harmony in the society.
1.8. Methodology of the Study
The research design used in this study is a survey descriptive analysis. The method of data collection for the study will be done through the process of a self structured questionnaire. The questionnaire will enable the researcher gather firsthand information from the respondents on the subject matter. The issue under discussion is a global menace which cuts across all the countries of the world, although, there have been little or few studies on the subject matter across the globe, this shall be referred to in discussing the topic at hand.
1.9. Operational Definition of Terms
Church: is a place of worship
Peace: is the tranquility that flows from right order.
1.10. Chapterization of the Study
This study is organized into five main chapters. Chapter one entails the background, statement of problems, research objectives, research questions and hypotheses, and significance and scope of the study. Chapter two consists of the literature review that reveals the findings and research that already exists on the topic. Chapter three summarizes the scope and methodology used to organize and carry out this study. The discussion of the results after analysis of the findings and comparison to the information revealed within the literature review is conducted within Chapter four. Chapter five provides a summary of the study, conclusion, and further recommendations.
