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CHALLENGES
AND EFFECTS OF CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS FANATICISM IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN
AGEGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE
ABSTRACT
This study examined the challenges
of Christian religious fanaticism in public secondary schools in Agege Area of
Lagos state. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of
study comprised all the teachers and students in public secondary schools in
Agege Area of Lagos state. A sample random sampling technique was adopted to
select ten (10) public secondary schools; twenty (20) teachers and eighty (80)
students. Two questionnaire were constructed by the researcher, one for
teachers and one for students. Three research questions and three hypotheses
were designed in eth study. The research questions and demographic data of
participants were analyzed using frequency counts and percentage while the
research hypotheses were tested using the chi-square (x2) statistical tool at
0.05 level of significance. The result of the findings shows that there are
identified causes of Christian Religious Fanaticism such as:
rumours can trigger off religious fanaticism; In public schools,
students are assigned leadership position on religious sentiment than on
academic achievement; Struggle for supremacy/ recognition between the followers
of religious groups can lead to conflict; Tension can arise if the faithful
member of each of the group try to demonstrate the superiority of their
religion; Actions or inactions of school administrators on religious issues can
cause conflict in the school; Ignorance can lead to religious crisis in school;
there is a significant relationship between religious intolerance and conflict
and that Religious intolerance has a significant effect on national stability.
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:
having noted that religion is a necessary aspect of man’s culture, in fact
religion cultivates all aspects of man; political, socio economic and spiritual
domains. Religious tolerance and dialogue should be included in the primary and
secondary schools and should be made mandatory for all schools and colleges as
it helps to sharpen the moral life of pupils and students. All governments’
policies should be aimed at strengthening the relationship among the various
religious groups. “The policy should not be the type that will be of benefit to
one religion while the other religion will be at disadvantage. God fearing
citizens should be put at the helm of affairs. This is because, leaders without
the fear of God are bound to be wicked, undisciplined, corrupt and greedy
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Abstract v
Table of
Contents vi
CHAPTER
ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the
Study 1
1.2 Statement
of the
Problem 6
1.3 Purpose
of the Study 8
1.4 Research
Questions 9
1.5 Research
Hypotheses 9
1.6 Significance
of the
Study 10
1.7 Scope of
the
Study 11
1.8 Definition of
Key
Terms 11
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
2.0
Introduction 12
2.1 The Concept of
Religion 12
2.2 Concept of Religious
Fanaticism 20
2.3 Rise of Religious
Fanaticism 23
2.4 Causes of Religious
Intolerance 32
2.5 The Effect of Religious
Intolerance on Nation
Building 37
2.6 How to Curb Religious
Intolerance in
Nigeria 44
2.7 Summary of
Review 46
CHAPTER THREE: THREE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
3.1Introduction
3.2 Research
Design 48
3.3 Population of Study 48
3.4 Research
Instrument 48
3.5 Validity of the
Instrument 49
3.6 Reliability of the
Instrument 49
3.7 Sample and Sampling
Technique 50
3.8 Method of Data
Administration 51
3.9 Method of Data
Analysis 51
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
4.1Introduction 52
4.2 Response to Personal
Data 52
4.3 Response to Research
Questions 53
4.4 Testing of
Hypotheses 59
4.5 Summary of
Findings 64
4.6 Discussion of
Findings 63
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1ntroduction 67
5.2 Summary of the
Study 67
5.3
Conclusion 69
5.4
Recommendations 70
5.5 Areas of Further Study
REFERENCES 71
APPENDICES 79
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the Study
In human history, religion is
indispensable. Apart from one's relationship with God, sometimes it serves as
the instrument for political domination, intimidation, oppression,
discrimination, threat and outright deceit. Religion is no doubt important and
sensitive in the life of human beings regardless of where they domicile. It is
on this premise that man continually seek for protection, direction as well as
breakthrough in all human endeavor. Karl Marx views religion as the opinion of
the people and his perception has manifested in the lives of Nigerians
consequent upon their propagation of new faith (Islam and Christianity).
Generally, religion equally provide
succor for the people. Thus anybody or government that toys with it, does so at
his/ her own peril. More importantly, religion be it indigenous, Islam or
Christian cultivates, energizes, propels, regulates and harmonizes the society
it binds its adherents to specific practices and particular moral, codes. It
teaches man to choose what is good and discard what is bad. It teaches man to
be humble in his inter- personal relationships and to be submissive to
constituted authority.
A religious fanatic is someone or a
group of people who have extreme religious ideas that are dangerous to both the
practitioner and religion. In all the three prominent religions in Nigeria,
Islam, Christianity and African Religion, the act of fanatism is associated
with religious belief which excludes social relations with people of other
religious sects. It may even hamper mutual trust and confidence when such
relations exist. (Okwudiba, 2008). Also, religious fanatism can be regarded as
an aspect of religious intolerance. For example, many Christian and Islamic
organizations have alleged discrimination against each other in admissions ,
policies, school fees , employment as well as the refusal of many states and
government to grant land to build churches in the Northern parts of the Federation
(Ekoko and Amodi, 2009).
Conversely, religious accommodation
is a situation whereby one embraces and tolerates adherents of other religions.
If this is practiced among students, there will be a high level of interaction
among practitioners of the dominating three large religions. It is equally in
line with the Nigerian constitution which emphasizes the need to respect
freedom.
Recently, precisely on 18th June,
2007, the then president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria late Umaru Musa
Yar' Adua noted that his administration may make religious education mandatory
in schools in Nigeria's educational institutions. Since the president made that
statement, various and divergent reactions and responses have attended his
proposal. The guardian (2007) devoted an entire editorial to examine the
proposal. In the editorial, the Guardian (2007) agreed with the president that
there is gross moral breakdown and indiscipline in our educational
institutions. Restating the position of many other people, the
editorial affirms that our educational institutions have witnessed violent
crimes, juvenile delinquency, armed robbery, sexual abuse, drug abuse and many
other social vices. The newspaper does agree that to eradicate this moral
decadence, there should be moral and civic education that emphasizes character
formation and re- orientation of values and the responsibilities of the
citizenry. The newspaper also perceives compulsory religious education as
violating the constitutional freedom of religion, for it can be abused and
cause religious conflicts.
Depending on how religious education
is conducted in a plural society, it can promote a culture of tolerance. A
broad religious education curriculum that incorporates religious values from
many religions is very important. Your religious way of life is not the only
one that exists. There is danger in knowing only one's religion. The Oslo
coalition, on Freedom of religion and belief (2001) opined that: Education
should help seeing that the others are indeed us, knowledge about other
religions is an important pre- condition for the development of such an
understanding, and hence also of a culture of tolerance.
Religious education can also help in
promoting human rights and respect for the dignity of the human person. The Oslo
coalition (2001) notes further that dialogue, projects and scientific studies
show that most religious have resources in their view of man and their basic
value foundations to support both the idea of human dignity and of human
rights. The religious education in school therefore can play an important role
both in the search for common, cross- cultural values in a broader sense. A
meeting with different religious and philosophical traditions might lead to
change in the self conception of the individual child.
In a similar light, the office of
the United Nations commissioner for Human Rights (2001) acknowledge that
religious education can be a tool to sensitize to human rights issues, it
affirms religious education is a contributing factor to the shaping up of one's
identity and may play a key role in multicultural societies and in the pursuit
of a true globalization as long as it promotes values of tolerance and
non-discrimination. This implies that wider perspectives need to be offered,
which besides contributing to self- awareness and developing one's own
identity, also help in the understanding of other wider perspectives, thus
responding to logic of inclusion and feeling part of the same global community.
Teaching of religious convictions based on those criteria would indeed favour
the development of balanced individuals, aware of their own identity, including
at the religious level but also open, curious and respectful, thus contributing
to the creation of a conducive environment for the promotion and\ protection of
human rights.
Public secondary schools are those
secondary schools built and managed by the state government. According to the
National policy on Education (2004), the five main National objectives of
Nigeria as clearly stated in the second National development plan and
endorsed as a necessary foundation for the National policy on education
are building of:
i. A free and democratic society;
ii. A just and egalitarian society;
iii. A united, strong and self
reliant nation;
iv. A great and dynamic economy;
v. A land of bright and full
opportunities for all citizens.
Nigeria's
philosophy of education is basically hinged on the integration of the
individual into a sound and effective citizen of the nation at the primary,
secondary and higher levels of education, both inside and outside the formal
school system. It is in the light of this that the quality of instruction at
all levels has to be geared towards inculcating the following values:
1. Respect for the worth and dignity
of the individuals;
2. Faith in man's ability to make
rational decisions;
3. Moral and spiritual values in
interpersonal and human relations;
4. Shared responsibility for the
common goal of the society;
5. Respect for the dignity of
labour, and
6. Promotion of the emotional, physical
and psychological health of all children. For the philosophy to be in line and
in agreement with Nigeria's National objectives, it has to be focused self
realization, better human relationship, individual and national efficiency,
effective citizenship, national consciousness, national unity as well as
social, cultural , economic, political, scientific and technological
development (National Policy on Education, 2004).
7. It is based on this background
that the researcher embarked on the study of challenges of Christian religious
fanaticism in public secondary schools in Agege Local government Area, Lagos
State.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
Religions constitute a formidable
instrument of social change in any society against the backdrops of its inherent
characteristics of maintaining law and order through the internalization of
religious tenets and values. Religions is said to provide a healthy environment
for a functional and vibrant society and it serves a cohesive and euphonic
function in the society. The history of any nation cannot be written without
reference to religion (Omoregbe, 2001).
Sadly, there has been evidence of
Christian religious fanatics in Nigerian secondary schools characterized by
violence, riot killing, aggressive attacks including willful and wanton
destruction of lives and properties.
There are three major religions in
Nigeria, unfortunately this violent act often occur among Christians and
Muslims, even though the tenets of both religions emphasize peace. Some of the
adherents of both religions have become overzealous and grossly deviate from
the basic dogma of the religions. The effect of this violent act has always
been unpalatable and disastrous, ranging from loss of lives, destruction of
valuable properties and socio-political instability. Before the
introduction of the aforementioned two foreign religions, African Religion
then, provided conducive environment that allowed people from various
backgrounds to live together peacefully.
However, the advent of the two
foreign religions has brought disunity, antagonizing conflict and hatred among
their followers which hindered national development which can only prosper in a
harmonious atmosphere (Ilo, 2009).
There are different groups in
Christendom owing to ideologies and doctrinal disparities. Protestants and
sects/cults. The first two have the greatest followership. Noting that
protestants segregated from Roman Catholics, it has the following groups.
Orthodox, evangelicals and Pentecostals. It must be acknowledged that from a
general outlook it seems as if all are the same, however, there are lots of
doctrinal differences and practices, which differentiate them. The
distinguishing factor lies on the position each group accords to the extra
sensory perceptions. The fall out of these is negative on academic activities
in secondary schools. One of the negative effects of fanaticism on education is
the disruption of school. Calendar. This is because schools are closed and
academic distortive brought a stand still. Another effect of
fanaticism on education is that it creates tension in school. Based on the
problems highlighted above the researcher embark on the challenges of Christian
religious fanaticism attitude on public secondary Schools in Agege Local
Government Area of Lagos state.
1.3 Purpose
of the Study
The major purpose of this study is
to examine the challenges of Christian religious fanaticism and the way out.
Other specific purposes of this
study are to examine:
1. The causes of religious
fanaticism in public secondary schools.
2. The relationship between
religious intolerance and conflict
3. The effect of intolerance on
education.
1.4 Research
Questions
The following questions guided the
study:
1. What are the causes of Christian
religious fanaticism in public secondary schools?
2. What
is the relationship between religious intolerance and
conflict?
3. What is the effect of religious
intolerance on education?
1.5 Research
Hypotheses
The following hypotheses are tested
in this study:
1. Religious fanaticism has no
cause.
2. There is no significant
relationship between religious intolerance and
conflict.
3. Religious intolerance has no
effect on education.
1.6 Significance
of the Study
This study will be of benefit to:
students, Christian religious education teachers, school administrators and the
society at large. Students will benefit because the findings of this study will
disabuse their mind of those irrational thinking which lead to religious
intolerance, hence they will see the need to tolerate other people's religion
so as to maintain a peaceful school environment which promotes higher academic
achievement.
Christian Religious Education
teachers will benefit because this study will sensitize them on the aspects of
the CRE Curriculum which promotes a peaceful co-existence. They will as well
inculcate the moral implications in the students. Their productivity in terms
of noticeable behavioural changes in the students will promote their profession
and give them a sense of worth and achievement.
School administrators will benefit
because there will be discipline and high positive moral behaviour in the
school system and this will reduce the stress which they incur in settling
conflicts among students,
The society at large will benefit
when the youth who are the future of the society are well behaved and can co-
exist peacefully , the society will be egalitarian and achieve a vibrant
economy in the absence of disruptions.
1.7 Scope of
the Study
This study covers five (5) selected
public secondary schools in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos state.
1.8 Definition of
Key Terms
Religion: can
be seen as the response of man to an onward
experience which he considers to be a direct approach of the divine, seeking to
reveal to him, the meaning of his existence and guide to external destiny.
Christian Religion: Is
the religion which aims at developing effective knowledge of what Christianity
is all about as expressed in the Bible, in church history liturgy and worship.
Fanaticism: Could
be defined as belief which does not tolerate social relations with people of
other religious bodies.
Islam: It
is the religion practiced by those who believe in Allah and is based on the
teaching in the Holy Koran.
African Traditional Religion: it
is the religion practiced by African traditionalists who believe in ancestral
worship.
TOPIC: CHALLENGES AND EFFECTS OF CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS FANATICISM IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AGEGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE
Format: MS Word
Chapters: 1 - 5
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Delivery: Email
Number of Pages: 79
Price: 3000 NGN
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