A DISCOURSE ON RELIGIOUS CONFLICT AND TOLERANCE IN MULTI-FAITH NIGERIA

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed gruesome accounts of horrors in Nigeria, arising from atrocities committed against humanity in God’s name. Scholars have exerted frantic efforts in order to resolve the dilemma with a view to manifesting the spirit of tolerance and peaceful co-existence . However, the grounds still remain uncovered. This is because, the current situation in the country regarding bomb blast and acts of terrorism by the Boko Haram religious sect sends a signal that requires more scholarly attention from local vis-à-vis global perspective. The act of religious terrorism which is suddenly foisted on the people for intrinsic reasons needs more detailed explanation. Therefore, the paper examines the ideological characteristics of religious creeds, historical antecedents of Nigerian situation and its socio-political outlooks. The task facing Nigerians and the path towards resolving the dilemma are discussed. In analyzing the data, a socio-ethical, historical and theological approaches are used.