PROJECT  ABSTRACT

As religion so its institutions also play an important role in social life. None can deny the fact that the different kinds of social institutions such as, domestic, economic and political influence on religious institutions. But it is also true that these institutions are sometimes influenced by religious institutions. An important aspect of religion is prayer and different classes of people belonging to different castes of society assemble through religious institutions for performing prayer and worship. By these activities there forms common feelings which thereby further generate a common sentiments and fellowship amongst the worshipers of a particular religion. Sometimes it is found that the members of a particular religion unite together, and for the greater interest of the society they perform different humanitarian activities. It is evident from the above that religious institutions perform not only their religious activities , they also discharge different types of activities related to social welfare such as, charitable hospitals, schools, homes for the homeless. These institutions also run orphanages and collect money for the poor people. It cannot be denied that religion has an external form of social control. The different activities of the people and their different spheres of social life are still influenced by religious rites and ceremonies. People generally express their religious feelings through rituals and ceremonies. It is also true that almost all the aspects of lives of primitive people were covered by religious practices, although these were crude in nature and did not have any precise organization.

 

We find that there are different important occasions in our social life such as, birth, marriage, harvesting, hunting, death etc. and in all these activities religious rites were performed in primitive societies. By doing these activities there developed a common feeling s and actions which are very much other than religious functions. Not only in primitive societies but also in modern societies religious activities occupy an important place. The different occasions of social life, such as birth, death, marriage etc. religious rites are performed. Similar activities are found in the events related with economic life also. Moreover, it is found that, in almost all communities religious rites are common practices during various occasions in social life such as, inauguration of a new building, oath taking etc. From the above description of the role of religion in social life, it is evident that a regular order of procedure is developed by religion in society and thus it helps to control the society. Religion helps to shape the character of an individual and thereby it moulds social life. It brings forth the sense of social value in the mind of people. In obeying the social laws or to respect the elders and to show sympathy towards the feelings of others, or to discharge the social obligations faithfully, the role of religion is immense. In those cases it acts as a teacher. Not only this, a sense of fellow feeling amongst the people belonging to different communities is also taught by religion. Moreover, religion teaches that the man‟s love and services to God will be real only if he loves and serves humanity. In developing moral consciousness amongst people, religion acts as an inspiring factor. Religion enforces uniformity of behaviour and it strengthens social solidarity and thereby acts as an instrument in stabilizing social order. In primitive age the influence of religion was very great in controlling society and this feature is not totally lost even today. Social life of primitive people were controlled by inspiring God-fear in their minds but in modern age people are inspired not by fear but by the hope for the attainment of virtuous and noble life. Thus by fostering patriotic sentiments in men, religion helps to maintain social integration.

 

In describing the role of religion Dr. S. Radhakrishanan says that religion has innumerable effects. Religion not only guarantees values but it also gives meaning to life. Moreover, the confidence to go on adventures is also inculcated in our mind by religion. Thus narrating the role of religion he says, “Religion is the discipline which touches the conscience and helps us to struggle with evil and sordidness, saves us from greed, lust and hatred, releases moral power and imparts courage in the enterprise of saving the world”. 4 People live in the third world countries such as, India, Africa, Brazil etc. derive their sense of life from religion and as such religion is very important to them. They get the answers of many questions that appear in their minds. The questions such as, who we are? What is the purpose of life? What is life and what is death? Is there anything after this life? – are very common for human being and they are curious to have answers of these questions. But in the third world countries science is not so developed to answer these questions. Thus, it is religion from which they seek to get answers of these questions.

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SURVIVAL OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION IN A PLURALISTIC RELIGIOUS NIGERIAN SOCIETY

ABSTRACT

The thrust and concern of this thesis is on survival African Traditional Religion in a pluralistic religious Nigeria society. Prior to the advent and spread of external forces of change engendered by colonialism, commerce and foreign religions, Africans have their religion; in other words, the indigenous African way of worship and life. The study employed phenomenological method. The word phonological is an adjective derived from the noun ‘phenomenology’. The primary objectives of the phenomenological method of research is the direct investigation and explanation of phenomena as consciously experienced without theories about their causal explanation and as free as possible from preconceptions and presuppositions. The study found among other things the spread of African Religion to some areas on the planet earth especially where Africans are found and has influenced the lives of even non-Africans. African Religion is found in America especially, the Caribbean Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, Cuba, and Brazil among others. This study therefore investigates the hindrance of foreign religious on the religio-cultural life of African (Nigerian) people specifically; on the African religion. The study examines how Christians ideas have influenced the religion, culture, conception of life and worldview of African peoples hence affecting its continuity. Furthermore, the  study  discovered that the religion gives the African (Nigerian) people a sense of direction and security in life making them realize where they are going and their natural endowments, providing solutions to their problems hence they find it extremely difficult to abandon it for any other religion. These account for its continued probable continuity in a pluralistic society like Nigeria. The study underscores the need for symbiotic existence between the  indigenous  and foreign religions and values in all aspects of life. The study also showed that African Traditional Religion would survive in a pluralistic religious Nigerian society. To this end, there will be cultural revival especial as it affects our traditional religious system. This will no doubt give us a pride of place in this world of today.

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PRIVATE INVESTMENT OF CHURCHES: A STUDY OF SELECTED CASES IN THE NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Poverty has been a major challenge in the world today, especially in developing countries. Past and previous governments have all put in various measures in order to address this global issue of poverty. In this regard, any effort at reducing poverty and creating wealth is very much appreciated. The Church, as a development partner to the state, has been contributing its quota to the development of the country through its social service activities. Church involvement in the provision of education, health care, water and other activities cannot be overemphasized.

In addition to providing social services, the church also has a mandate of evangelization, both of which require financial support. The primary source of finance for the Church is through contributions by Church members; however, this avenue is not sustainable as it cannot fund the continuously increasing budget of the church as well as result in a fatigue in the area of giving. In recent times, Churches are getting into private investments more and more. It is in the light of this that the research was undertaken.

The study therefore sought to identify the major investments of churches, examine how the investment activities of churches are managed and operated, to assess the viability and demand of their investments or businesses and to assess the utilization of gains of these investments.

Using the Nigeria as the study area and adopting a case study approach, six businesses operated by six different churches under the broad grouping of Catholic and Christian Council were sampled and studied. Purposively, three key informants being; church leadership, a management and board member, were chosen to furnish the researcher with information for all the churches.

The study has shown that churches get into a wide spectrum of business like any other organization however with ethical and social considerations. Church based investments are tilted toward business investment in contrast with portfolio investment which is much more common in the western world. Again, although all the businesses have board of directors in place, the lack of boards established specifically to oversee to the activities of some of the businesses resulted in delay in decision making affecting business activities.

Efficiency levels of all six businesses are low ranging from average to below average affecting profitability of investments. In totality, each of the investments yielded gains one way or the other and these gains according to leadership have been utilized to benefit the church, its members and society as a whole. In spite of these benefits, the businesses were beset with challenges in the area of records keeping, staff recruitment procedures and accounting mechanisms.

To conclude, church based businesses are contributing their quota to the development of the nation and should be encouraged. In the future, churches should consider one of three suggestions; operate businesses as separate entities, move into portfolio investment, or get into Private/Public Partnership where churches become major shareholders. These approaches will help curtail some of the challenges identified with business investments.

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