AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF RELIGION AND CULTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN A MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY: NIGERIA IN PERSPECTIVES

Sociologists have considered religion as one of the major agents of socialisation. When it is purposive, it advances and encourages the course of development in a society. In academic debates and at practical level too, there is a degree of polarization between those who view religion, particularly Christianity, as a developmental obstacle and those who regard it as a developmental solution. Such a polarised debate is unhelpful for the study and practice of development. A dispassionate analysis of the role and effect of religion, which could bring the rationalist and post-development discourses closer, can better help development practitioners. Religion in this context is considered with respect to the contribution it makes to nation-building; in particular, in sustaining the cultural heritage of the Yoruba nation of Southwestern Nigeria. This paper explores the African Traditional Religion (ATR) then and now, the Established (and now unestablished) Churches, their roles then and now to nation-building and sanctity of humanity and living. This paper is anchored on the following objectives: to examine religion's role in shaping society, to reflect on the various facets of religion and culture, analyse their interactions with one another and other cultural influences in a global context. The paper utilised primary and secondary sources of data collection, and analysed them using descriptive and content analyses. The study findings revealed that, modern civilisation has adversely affected the efficacy of culture and religion in the Yoruba nation. It also observed that, modern day religion is laden with inherent contradictions and abuses, thereby making it ineffective in the performance of its assigned and avowed roles to society. The paper concluded that, the present abuses even in the socio-political and economic life of the nation is a function of an abused culture and religion.

Open Full Text (PDF)