The Role Of Religion In The Politics
Abstract
Inspite of the religious was of the people of Delta State, the question of the part of religion in the politics of Delta State still stand as a major challenge to religious scholars. This essay in its shot to unravel the part of religion in the society, outrightly dwelt on the conduct of religion in politics.
In this exploration, different styles ranging from interviews with political stakeholders and spiritualties, particular compliances, journals, journals and other affiliated material to the content were used. Though the work is limited to Delta State, it findings could be applicable to the entire southern part of Nigeria particularly the areas dominated by Christianity and African Traditional Practices.
While the first chapter of this essay dealt with the system, compass and significance of the study, the alternate chapter dealt the views of different authors. It also defined the conception of politics and the different religious practices among the different ethnical groups in Delta State.
Chapter three dwelt on the part of religious leaders and traditional autocrats in marshaling the youth in the political system while chapter four largely dwelt on the relationship between the church and the state and also on the part of the church in combating the moral laxity in the political system moment. It also talks considerably on the part of religion in the electoral system in Delta State.
Eventually, it was concluded that the part of religion in politics isn’t limited to institutions like the churches and government rather it cut across the individualities similar as the traditional autocrats, the preachers, the youth and the elders who forms the religious congregation and the political actors who are at the center of the political sphere.
Chapter One
Preface
General Introduction
Artistic values and moral integrity are social pointers that guarantees the general acceptance of existent within the society. The control of the government ministry is entrusted to a many individualities, still, the fear of changeable and unreliable nature of man frequently introduce religious beliefs into the political sphere.1 This is due to the view that belief is a element of moral geste and at such our beliefs affects our conducts.2 This fact easily explains why there’s hardly any political office holder moment, that doesn’t profess religion.
Inspite of the difference which live between religion and politics which presupposes that religion deals with the realm of conviction and ultimate reality, a view in life sees good and calls it into reality while politics is seen as a realm of concession in which ultimate purposes clash, interest competes and clashing claims are acclimated by a process of give and take; 3 the ethical views and realities which attend side by side within our society weave religion deeply into politics particularly in the hunt for moral integrity in the political sphere.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Religion is an integral part of every society. In recent times, religious conditioning have been more deeply woven into the fabrics of prejudiced politics to the extent that religious participation correlates with politics in Delta State. That is, it’s delicate to be successful in the political terrain without proper alignment with a religious association within the state.
Throughout the history of Nigeria’s political and social development, civil associations have always looked up to religious institutions for inspirational leadership. Hence, it’s undoubted that religion still have important influence in the structuring of the political culture and some programs of the government in Nigeria.4 It’s against this background that this essay will be examining the part of religion in the politics of Delta State. Accordingly, this exploration will substantially expose the religio- political confederations in the diurnal administration of Delta State, the part of religious institutions in the electoral practices of Delta State as well as the influence of religion on the programs of Delta State.
Aims And Objects Of The Study
This exploration is primarily aimed at revealing the impact of religious institutions in the politics and the civil administration of Delta State. It also aims at considering the applicability of churches to the government and as well examine the part of religious institutions in the moral upliftment of the state indeed in the face of the moral degeneration current in our political system. This exploration also aim at creating mindfulness on the need to admire the religious diversity, reject the prejudice against religious and political cooperation and accept the necessity for peaceful concurrence and social cohabitation in Delta State.
thus, at the end of this exploration, we should have further knowledge in the following aspects
The influence of religion in the programs and decision making in Delta State.
The part of religion in the electoral practices that is, in political juggernauts and the diurnal administration of Delta State.
The position of religious institutions in the campaign against moral decay in Nigeria at large.
Significance Of The Study
The significance of this study is to emphasize the significance of religion in the life of political actors in Delta. The significance of religion in the politics of Delta State whether it be domestic party politics orinter-state relations, can not be undervalued. It’s generally believed among the people that religion is the life energy and at similar, tradition can best be explained by the politics of representation.
incontestably, religion plays a good part in the progress, development, peace andco-existence in the affairs of every government. The government of Delta State has for long initiated religious programmes which are believed to contribute to the concinnity progress and the development of the state. The government frequently emphasize the significance of religion in the diurnal administration of the state. Hence the diurnal morning prayers of the government house tabernacle, a long standing tradition in Delta State.5
Accordingly, the significance of this work is to establish the fact that religion stands at the centre of governmental institutions not only in Delta State, but in the entire country. It’ll also establish the fact that religion apply a lot of influence in the programs and opinions of the government.
therefore, religion is greatly intertwined in the shaping and structuring of the socio- political- terrain. It could be understood in terms of power relations.
Compass Of The Study
The exploration was carried out in the vicinity of Delta State. still, due to the constraints of time and finance, two original government areas of Delta State including Ughelli North and Oshimili North shall be the exploration areas for this work. This work will also cover considerably the colorful religious practices in this political fiefdom. This exploration will also be limited to the influence of religion in the political practices and in the diurnal administration of this fiefdom.
Exploration Methodology
This exploration will involve different styles in carrying detailed information about the structure of religion and politics in Delta State. Primarily, former workshop done by scholars on the political and persuasions confederations of Delta State and some other areas of common interest will serve as source of information for this exploration. thus, the colorful libraries in these two chosen original government areas will be primary source of information. The University of Benin Library will also be used as a major base for the accession of information. review publications on persuasions and politics as well as the use of the internet hunt machines will also be employed to insure the success of this exploration. Also, interviews will be conducted among the people particularly among the clergymen and politicians in Delta State so as to acquire first hand information from stakeholders who are vast in the area of religion and politics within Delta State.
Limitation Of The Study
The wide geographical area covered by this exploration extending to the total of Delta State feel to be one of the challenges to this work. Out of the 27 original government areas, only two could be effectively used due to fiscal constraint.
Secondly, the lack of cooperation, particularly from the political class, who always claim to be veritably busy also stand as a limitation to this exploration. still, from the co-operation of a many within Delta State the exploration was a great success.
Leave a Comment