THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN IN CURBING MORAL DECADENCE AMONG THE YOUTHS

ABSTRACT

Government at all levels, non-governmental organizations, traditional leaders and religious organizations have been trying to curb gross immorality in the Nigerian society, but despite their unrelenting effort, it is very sad to note that immorality still persists. To this end the researcher assessed the roles of Christian women in the development of moral behaviour of youths in Kaduna State. To achieve this purpose a questionnaire containing five sections was developed and standardized. The information thus received was statistically analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. The result revealed the following: first, the study revealed that parental negligence, broken relationship between God and man, disobedience to sound Christian teachings on moral issues, joblessness and greed are causes of immorality among the youths in Kaduna State. Second, it revealed that immorality has some negative influence on the lives and development of youths in Kaduna State such as sexually transmitted diseases, lung and brain cancer due to alcoholic drinks and drug abuse. Third it revealed that some programmes and activities such as Seminars and workshops, Bible quiz and debates and prayer meetings are being put in place by Christian women to curb immorality among the youths in Kaduna State. Fourth, the study revealed that Christian mothers have great impact on the lives of the youth because, they contribute to the physical, mental, moral and social training of the youths. Christian mothers also teach the youths faith that leads to achievement of their goals in life through hard work. This study concluded that Christian women have a lot to contribute to the curbing of immorality among the youths in Kaduna State as they spend more time with these youths and with the help of different

programmes of events and activities being put in place by them (Christian women) on moral issues. Finally some useful recommendations were made.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page Fly Page
Title Page – – – – – – – – i

Declaration – – – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – v
Table of Contents – – – – – – – vi
List of Tables – – – – – – – – vii
List of Appendices – – – – – – – viii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Background to the study – – – – – 1
Statement of the Problem – – – – – 3
Objectives of the Study – – – – – 4
Significance of the Study – – – – – 5
Research Questions – – – – – – 6
Research Hypotheses – – – – – – 6
Scope and Delimitation of the Study – – – – 7
1.8. Basic Assumptions – – – – – – 7
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction – – – – – – – 8
Concept of Youth – – – – – – 8
Concept of Morality – – – – – – 11
Moral Decadence among Nigerian Youths – – – 16
Causes of Moral Decadence among
Nigerian Youths- – – – – – – 16
Influence of Immorality on the Lives and Development of
the Nigerian Youths – – – – – – 21
Moral Models of Development – – – – 23
2.7.1 Moral Judgement and Behaviour – – – – 25
Role of Women in the Development of Moral
behaviour of Youths – – – – – – – 26
Dimensional Roles of Christian Women – – – 28
Women Organizations and their Functions – – – 36
Moral Education and National Development- – – 38
2.12 Summary – – – – – – – 41
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction – – – – – – – – 44
Research Design – – – – – – 44
Population of the Study – – – – – 45
Sample and Sampling Procedure – – – – 45
Sampling of Local Government Areas – – – 45
Sampling of Churches – – – – – 46
Sampling of Christian Youths and Women – – – 47
Instrumentation – – – – – – 47
Validity and Reliability of the Instrument – – – 48
Pilot Study – – – – – – – 48
Administration of the Instruments – – – – 49
Method of Data Analysis – – – – – 49
3.10 Summary – – – – – – – 50
Chapter 4: Results and Discussions
Introduction – – – – – – – 51
Demographic data – – – – – – 51
4.2.1 Sex – – – – – – – – 51
4.2.2 Age – – – – – – – – 52
Marital Status – – – – – – – 52
Perceived causes of moral decadence among youths in Kaduna
State – – – – – – – – 53
Negative influences of immorality on the lives and
Development of the youths in Kaduna State – – – 55
Programmes of events and activities put in place by Christian
Women in Kaduna State to curb moral crises- – – 57
Impact of Christian women/mothers on lives of
the young ones – – – – – – 60
Hypotheses Testing – – – – – – 62
4.4 Findings – – – – – – – – 65
4.5 Discussion of findings – – – – – – 66
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – 69
Conclusion – – – – – – – 71
Recommendation – – – – – – 72
5.3.1 Suggestion for further research – – – – 73
References – – – – – – – 74
Letter to the Respondents – – – – – 79
Questionnaire – – – – – – – 80

 

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

 

   Background to the Study

 

Morality has to do with the attitude or behavior of man. Attitude can be cultivated; its cultivation could be personal, corporate, structural or cultural. Our perceptions, values, beliefs, lifestyles, cultural and religious practices that are deep-rooted and longstanding could be held tenaciously and easily translated into attitude that may either enhance or impede development.

Attitudes are categorized according to Guaguano, (1996) into personal, cultural and social dimensions. If any category of these attitudes and behaviours is harmful, it cannot pave the way for development unless it is changed. In the light of this, it is obvious that when these categories of attitudes are cultivated and appropriately directed, they lead to the growth and development of the individual and the larger society.

Moral attitudes put together help people in communities to live together, settle their differences, maintain peace and harmony and have cordial relationships with their environment. In African culture, the way and manner people conduct themselves matter a lot. An African child is expected to respect and obey elders, dress decently, fear God the creator and be patriotic citizens of their respective communities. That is, the African  child is expected to be disciplined in all ramifications.

For any nation to experience growth and development, the youths must not be left out as they form the workforce of any nation. These youths also do not just emerge from the sky but from families. The family is the first and most important channel through which societal norms and values are transmitted to the youths right from childhood. Every member of the family has an important role to play in the task of moral up bringing

 

of the child. For instance, parents have the responsibility of loving and providing for the needs of their family members. In the same way, children are expected to obey and respect their parents and elders.

The training which parents give to their youths from childhood matters a lot, because charity is said to begin at home. To a large extent, the moral disposition of the youths can be traced to their homes, as the character development of the children is the sole work of the parents especially the mother who spends more time with their children. Since Nigeria places much emphasis on the moral and character training of the child, no time is wasted in the commencement of the training programme of the youths. The youth in the first few years of life is more intimate with the mother than the father and that is why in most societies in Africa, when a child misbehaves, the mother is blamed. It therefore, becomes traditionally necessary that mothers should educate their young ones. Education is the aggregate of all the means by which human beings develop the necessary skills, attitudes and values that are socially acceptable (Akinbote, 1988).

Fafunwa (1974) opined that, traditional education which places emphasis on moral and character training is the corner stone of African education. Traditionally, the inculcation of appropriate and culturally approved behavioural patterns in the child is a joint responsibility among the parents and adult members of the community. However, despite the cooperative effort in the development of the child socially and emotionally, the immediate family members still carry the highest responsibility for the child’s moral upbringing. In Yoruba land for instance, the immediate family is usually attacked (verbally) when a child misbehaves publicly. Therefore, in order to prevent such insult or

 

embarrassment, every family ensures the proper and early moral upbringing of their children.

Through practical examples and moral precepts, simple courteous behaviour such as mode of greeting and respect for adults are inculcated in the child as early as possible. Any form of mis-behaviour is appropriately punished by the parents or relations Generally, Africans cherish high degree of discipline and sense of respect for one another; hence parents(especially Christian women) do everything possible to give good moral examples to their offspring.

 

 

   Statement of the Problem

 

There are many outcries against immorality in the Nigerian society today. The level of indiscipline and crime waves among the youths has seriously escalated in geometric progression. Moral decadence in the Nigerian society today is beyond sexual perversion. From general observations, the severity of immoral actions ranges from “simple cheating” at school to drug abuse, murder and the exhibition of other anti-social behaviours. The depth of the problem has reached a point where common decency can no longer be described as common. For instance, decent people are honest and behave in a way that most people approve of, but in our society today, honesty as a virtue most especially among our youths, is not as common as it was in years past and this in one way or the other, has affected the development of the society.

Educational institutions have become comfortable dens for gangsters, cultists and prostitutes. Wearing of “decorated rags” and seductive attires has become a fad for ladies, and the virtue of virginity is becoming unthinkable and abominable. Examination

 

malpractice, which is aided by parents and teachers, has become common place in Nigerian schools. This entails that students rely on fraudulent means to earn certificates, thereby giving little or no regard to hard work.

However, the government at all levels, non-governmental organizations, traditional leaders and religious organizations have been unrelenting in their efforts to checkmate gross immorality in the society. Turaki (1989), has indicated that from 1975 to the present there has been an increasing national concern over the question of morality and ethics. For example,General Obasanjo’s Jaji declaration was more of a treatise on moral,political and philosophy. This declaration is a call to all Nigerians to take national morality and ethics seriously. In contrast was President Shehu Shagari Ethical Revolution, also General Buhari tried to checkmate immorality with War Against Indiscipline(WAI)but it is sad to note that this evil still persists. These moral crises have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation and pose tremendous barrier to the moral, spiritual, social and economic development of the Nigerian populace especially the youths. Kumuyi (2001) observed that the problem of immorality among the youths is mainly caused by carelessness and negligence of parents most especially the mothers.

The gravity of the issue of moral decadence has motivated the researcher to

 

examine the role of Christian women in addressing these moral crises among youths in Kaduna State.

 

   Objectives of the Study

 

This research aims at examining the role of Christian women in curbing immoral acts prevalent among the youths in Kaduna State. Specifically, the study seeks to achieve its aims through the following objectives which are to:

 

1. Critically examine the various perceived causes of moral decadence among the youths in Kaduna
2. Determine the negative influence of immorality on the lives and development of the youths especially in Kaduna

• Critically examine and analyze some of the programmes and activities put in place by Christian women in Kaduna State to checkmate moral crises among the youths.

1. Critically examine the impact of Christian mothers on the lives of the young ones.

 

 

   Significance of the Study

 

This study is significant in the following ways:

 

First, moral crisis is a deadly problem in the Nigerian society and efforts are being put in place by governments and different organizations and even international organizations to checkmate the problem of moral decadence in the society. This research therefore, seeks to contribute to this aspect by taking a survey of what women especially Christian women are doing to resolve this moral crisis associated with the youths in Nigerian.

Secondly, it seeks to contribute to the pool of literature that has been generated about the role of women in the society and serve as a resource or reference material to others who may want to undertake further research in this area.

Thirdly, the research is expected to chart a path for the critical appraisal of the central role of women in the society apart from their traditional roles in the family. This

 

is because God created the woman to play multiple roles and imbued her with divine power of transformation.

Finally the study is expected to serve as a source of encouragement to women in the society, as this will enable them to know that their efforts, no matter how little, are not in vain.

 

   Research Questions

 

This study attempts to provide answers to the following research questions:

 

1. What are the various perceived causes of moral decadence among the youths in Kaduna State?
2. What are the negative influences of immorality on the lives and development of the youths in Kaduna State?
3. What are the various programmes of events and activities put in place by Christian women in Kaduna State to curb moral crises among the youths?
4. What are the roles of Christian women in the lives of the youths?

 

 

   Research Hypotheses

 

The following null hypotheses were formulated for this study:

 

1. Immorality has no significant influence on the lives and development of the youths in Kaduna
2. The various perceived causes of moral decadence in the society have no significant influence on the moral development of the

 

3. There are no significant programmes of events and activities being put in place by Christian women in Kaduna State on immorality to curb moral crises among the youths.
4. Christian women have no significant impact on the lives of the young

 

 

   Scope and Delimitation of the Study

 

The problem of immorality cuts across the society, and Kaduna State is not an exception. This study focuses on the role of Christian women in curbing moral decadence among the youths in Kaduna State. The research work is limited to Kaduna State because it is an academic and economic center. This therefore attracts a high concentration of youths and women from different parts of the country who are pursuing various academic and economic programmes and activities. Therefore, the necessary information required for this research could be best gathered from them.

 

   Basic Assumptions

 

In this study, the following assumptions were made

 

1. It is assumed that the respondents who are Christians will sincerely respond to the questionnaire.
2. It is assumed that every parent is good; however, some bad parents pretend to be good.
3. It is assumed that all Christian women are Godly and capable of inculcating the right type of attitude in the
4. It is assumed that since parental negligence is one of the causes of this problem, parental respondents are not free from this problem

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CHAPTER ONE/INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study 3
1.2 Statement Of The Problem 5
1.3 Objectives Of The Study 5
1.4 Research Questions 6
1.5 Scope Of The Study 6
1.6 Significance Of The Study 8
1.7 Limitations of the Study 8

CHAPTER TWO/REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Definition of Financial Management Process 8
2.2 Basic Challenges of the Process 8
2.3 Church Budgeting 10
2.4 Accounting and Internal Control Systems 13
2.5 Definition of Charismatic Church 15
2.6 Principles and Beliefs 16
2.7 Pentecostals 17
2.8 Sources of church funds 18
2.9 Major Investment Opportunities for the Church 20
2.10 Systems Available for the Church 20
2.11 Implications on Rewards for the Church Organization 22
2.12 Challenges Faced by the Church in Achieving the Financial Obligations 25
2.13 Managing the Church’s Financial Resources 26
2.14 Receiving and Managing Offerings 26
2.15 Collecting offerings 27
2.16 Counting offerings 28
2.19 Depositing and imputing offerings 31
2.20 Undesignated and designated donations 31
2.21 Gifts to church leaders 32
2.22 Noncash gifts 33
2.23 Managing Finances in the Church Office 33

CHAPTER THREE/METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 35
3.2 Research Design 35
3.3 Sources of Data 35
3.3.1 Primary Sources 35
3.3.2 Secondary Sources. 35
3.4 Population of the Study 36
3.5 Sample Size Determination and Sampling Procedure 36
3.6 Validity of the Instrument 36
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument 37
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 37

CHAPTER FOUR/ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH RESULTS

Presentation And Analysis Of Data 38

CHAPTER FIVE/SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary Of Major Findings 47
5.2 Recommendations 49
5.3 Conclusion 50

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AN INVESTIGATION INTO FACTORS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFLICTS AND DIVISIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH . A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED CHURCHES AGWADA DEVELOPMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE

CHAPTER ONE/INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

Conflict‘ is defined as a relationship between two or more parties that centres on differences, disagreement on some issues of common interest or concern, divergence, incompatibility, clash of wills and the like; it may involve feeling of hatred and opposition Awedoba, (2009); Horowitz and Bordens, (1995). In the words of Bamikole (2009), One of the fundamental challenges that had confronted man in social history is that of the inevitability of conflict and disagreement in human relations‖.  This  is  because,  as  long  as  people  live  together,  work  together,  and interact with each other, disputes remain inevitable between sub-groups or individuals in a group, or between different groups. When these disputes are fuelled by emotion and become unsolvable, they develop into intra and inter-group conflicts, (Angessa, 2013). The  reality  posed  by  the  challenge  of  conflict  has  more  often  than  not, resulted into social problems, especially, when such conflicts are not well and properly managed before degenerating into violent confrontations. History is replete with records of conflicts and armed conflicts at various strata of human relations. Whether at the inter-personal, inter-group, intra-group, intra-national, conflicts have been found recurring in social relations‖ (Bamikole, 2009).

Church conflict is an area that has not caught much interest in academic discourses. There are lots of literature on inter-tribal, inter-ethnic, inter-communal conflicts like the Ife-Modakeke crises, scramble for scarce resources in the Niger Delta, boundary/lands feuds in Abakaliki Ebonyi state and their Cross River state neighbors and marginalization agitations from both the minority and majority groups in Nigeria among others. As noted by Otite, (1999) whether conflict is viewed as normal or abnormal, it is reoccurring, natural or even a pathological fact, it is inherent in all kinds of social relationships/institutions, be it economic, political, or religious. It is therefore pertinent to state categorically that religious conflict is becoming more threatening to societal unity and human peaceful co-existence in Nigeria than any other form of conflict. That of the Pentecostal churches is evident in the proliferation and duplication of churches at the slightest disagreement and all kinds of social drama ensue between General Overseers (G.O) and their subordinate pastors, a section of the congregation and deacons/deaconesses/elders against the pastors/members on the other side Onyima, (2007).

Church conflicts have existed in this world from time immemorial. This is based on the historical account recorded about the conflict between Barnabas and Paul in regard to John Mark which had led to division of the missionary team (Acts 15:36-41). Since 1990, Nigeria  has been experiencing different categories of continuous religious conflicts be it inter or intra-religious conflict. There were religious conflicts among Christians leaders. For example in 2007, There was a conflict between the General Overseer of Lord Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka and the trendy and charismatic overseer of Christ Chosen Generation Revival Ministry, Pastor Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu over an alleged investment of some N370 million in the church. Vangurad(2009). The parties have been in court from 2007-2009 over an alleged financial ‘investment’ for the growth of the church within and outside Lagos.

A similar incident occurred between in 2016 when South-South zone of the Assemblies of God Nigeria pulled out of the church alleging marginalisation, gross injustice in ministers’ remuneration; unhealthy rivalry among ministers, inefficiency and escalating administrative and financial malfeasance. Chukwu (2016).

Despite these problems, investigation of conflict in 21^ST century churches as a socio-cultural system lost out in ethnographic details. Hence this study employed both theoretical and empirical evidences to analyze the incidences, causes and trends of church conflicts beyond the general perspectives, rather specific cases and individual driven data related to conflict were examined in the two g selected churches in Nasarawa

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It’s always disappointing to hear about or experience conflict in the 21st Century Church. Churches supposed to be the assembly of believers who all expect their salvation in Christ and are also called to love one another as we have been loved by Christ. So how can there be serious conflict in the church? How is it that conflicts escalate so quickly in the Reformed community that they end up, in some cases, even tearing churches apart? Sadly, the rapid escalation of conflict in Reformed churches has caused some to throw up their hands and to walk away from the church altogether. Others may have stayed, but have become somewhat cynical. And still others remain with pain that stays for a lifetime. This study seeks to investigate those factors that are responsible for conflicts and divisions in the 21st Century Church.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study is on Investigation Into Factors That Are Responsible For Conflicts And Divisions In The 21st Century Church . A Case Study Of Some Selected Churches Agwada Development Area Of Nasarawa State

The study was guided by the following specific objectives;

1. To examine the structural causes responsible for Conflicts And Divisions In the 21st Century Churches In Agwada Development Area Of Nasarawa State
2. To investigate the positive and negative effects of church conflicts among 21st Century Churches
3. To understand the various Strategies employed in managing Conflicts And Divisions In the 21st Century Churches In Agwada Development Area Of Nasarawa State

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the main structural causes of Conflicts And Divisions In the 21st Century Churches In Agwada Development Area Of Nasarawa State?
2. What are the positive and negative effects of church conflicts among 21st Century Churches?
3. What are the various Strategies employed in managing Conflicts And Divisions In the 21st Century Churches In Agwada Development Area Of Nasarawa State?

1.5 Scope of the Study

The study investigates into factors that are responsible for conflicts and divisions in the 21st century church . A Study Of Some Selected Churches Agwada Development Area Of Nasarawa State. The scope of this study were limited to two churches which are the Living Faith Church Agwada Branch and Evangelical Church Winning All Agwada branch

1.6 Significance of the Study

This research is considered very important because the findings would help restore peace and promote development in Nasarawa. This is because conflict dramatically disrupts traditional development, reduces growth and prosperity. Again the lessons derived would be useful for future conflict prevention.

It will serve as means of educating Christians to unite and solve problems facing their communities. It will also serve as a bed-rock for re-establishing sustainable peace among the conflicting parties. It may help religious leaders to know how to react to some sensitive issues within their churches and the need to resolve misunderstandings before they develop into conflicts. More so, it may provide the leadership of religious communities with the skills, tools, and capabilities required to improve dialogue within their communities in order to reduce factionalism. It may be of great help to  the Christian association  of Nigeria (CAN) with regard to the drawing of the church‘s constitutions. Nigeria Education Service will also benefit from this research. For it will help Curriculum Research and Development to include topics of religious conflicts and its implications on society in the school syllabus.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

Many of the respondents declined to grant the interview. A few of them who granted the interview requested to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the topic under discussion. There were challenges of retrieving the distributed questionnaire.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

• Born Again: Being spiritually renewed and becoming a child of God by right of new birth. It means trusting in Jesus Christ.
• Charismata:The special ability or supernatural power that gives an individual influence over large numbers of people.
• Classical Pentecostals: The original Pentecostal churches which were started by Pentecostal missionaries. Most of them originated from Europe and USA.
• Denomination: A branch of the Christian church which has a well established network of hierarchy from national level to the local church. For example, the Anglican Church
• Fundamentalism: A Protestant religious movement emphasizing the literal infallibility of the Holy Scriptures.
• Mainline/Mainstream Churches: Missionary/historical or traditional churches established in the early 20thcentury by different missionary groups. Examples include , the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church.
• Mega Churches: Pentecostal churches with large congregations ranging from ten thousands members and above.
• Pentecostal Churches: Churches that emphasize baptism of the Holy Spirit, usually manifested through Speaking in tongues (glossolalia) and other gifts of the Holy Spirit (Charismata) such as faith, healing, prophecy and exorcism.
• Pentecostalism:A religious movement within Christianity that underlines direct personal experiences with God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and glosolalia, together with other gifts of the Holy Spirit.

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