Religion and Development
; Religion is one of the cardinal elements of culture; though not usually talked about or emphasized but it is a pillar for sustaining humankind and society, aiding culture which entails activities of mankind to survive in any environment. Religion according to Karl Marx is the opium of the people. But, is it really so? Religion can play the dual role of integrating elements in any society and dividing elements in any society. The later role is negative, so it spins negative energies which consumes the fabric of the society as it spits out violence and lots of intolerance. Religion is paradoxical, for it has double edge when it becomes an ideological weapon, but a good tool, when it assumes its rightful place. It is only when religion remains within its sphere that one can meaningfully talk of religion as a medium for development. According to Aguwa, “…in the hands of the ‘saint’ religion is a veritable means of humanization. The villain on the other hand employs religion to render selfish service to the ego: individual group”1
Keywords: development, religion