One irony I can't seem to wrap my mind around is that of the link between religion, moral depravity and social deviance. At the risk of generalising, It is evident that the most religious societies in the world have the higher percentage of morally bankrupt persons. Taking Nigeria for instance, we have a very religious population of more than 140 million persons. Almost every Nigerian subscribes to one religious belief or another and yet the country still remains in the shadows of darkness, corruption, obscenity, lewdity, callousness, and a gamut of social vices and indecent behaviours. On Sundays, "slay queens" go to Church and dance even more than the pastor. That same evening, the "slay queen" puts on scanty clothing and probably heads for a secret rendezvous with the same pastor. It begs the question of what moral influence religion really has over Nigerians. Is it that religion brings out the worst in people? Is it an issue of hypocrisy? Or are we just naturally so?

Let us leave Nigeria and proceed to highly religious nations like India, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, etc. These nations, in no particular order, rank highest in the demand for internet pornography. As we all know, terrorism has become the norm to most of these nations. Other forms of moral depravity and social deviance abound. Violence, rape, hypocrisy, etc, are rife.

Progressive nations such as the USA, UK, Germany, Russia, etc, have a much less religious population yet meaningful development takes place, moral depravity is controlled and other social vices are minimal. We can easily say that these nations have better systems and that depravity is not a product of religion whatsoever but is that really true?

When the USA and Russia were sending men to the moon, Nigerians were still busy building churches, mosques and burning shrines. When USA and Russia were advancing technology and science, Nigerians were busy catching witches and wizards and casting out demons and spirits. When advanced nations are thinking of Mars, Nigerians are still stuck on myths and legends, and the likes. When other nations are advancing their democracies and demanding for better leadership, Nigerians prefer to complain and "pray about it".

Religion is good, no doubt. It has its values, for sure! However, when a society becomes too religious, the paradox of moral depravity and social deviance begin to kick in. Until we stop being over-religious, we may never get to the Nigerian utopia.

- Iroro Orhero <literarymathy[at]gmail.com>

Let us discuss on this issue. What are your views?

No insults please. I mean no ill towards any religion. This is just my opinion. If it offends your sensibilities, just ignore the thread. Otherwise, let us analyse the situation.


CC:
Lalasticlala
Seun
Mynd44

Split Nigerian and watch each zone develop to its full potential in the shortest possible time. how can you develop as a country when the elites ruling US are interested in looting and laundering money abroad.


Though you shouldn't be comparing us with the countries you mentioned cause we are still infants compared to them and Religion is not the reason we are backward, religion in fact is the reason we have gotten this far.

Those countries have one thing in common, the elite use religion to control the resources of the larger population and the nation. Believe me, Israel and Dubai have less religious people than us and that's why they do well for themselves

Kondomatic:
Split Nigerian and watch each zone develop to its full potential in the shortest possible time. how can you develop as a country when the elites ruling US are interested in looting and laundering money abroad.


Though you shouldn't be comparing us with the countries you mentioned cause we are still infants compared to them and Religion is not the reason we are backward, religion in fact is the reason we have gotten this far.

True but this is not peculiar to Nigeria. Take a look at other extremely religious countries in the world, you'd find this issue of social depravity very rampant.

In the AkwaCross region of Nigeria, for example, you will notice that quite a high percent of the ladies dress indecently and for a chaste man, it may be difficult to avoid temptation. Consequently, most men patronise these scantily dressed ladies. The result is a society filled with sexual energy and indecency. This is to be juxtaposed with the region being one of the most religious in Nigeria. In fact, being a non-religious person here can make you a pariah of sorts.


Let us leave development out of it now, what about the society itself? Violence, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking, corruption, internet fraud, etc, are rife in Nigeria. On Sundays and Fridays, you see those who commit these offences at the Church or Mosque and they even receive special prayers from the Pastors/Imams. What role then has religion essentially played in the long run?

jmichlins:
Those countries have one thing in common, the elite use religion to control the resources of the larger population and the nation. Believe me, Israel and Dubai have less religious people than us and that's why they do well for themselves

Exactly my point sir. In Nigeria, religion is used as a tool for almost everything. It is even worse in the North where the elites prefer that the masses attend Islamic schools while their own wards attend Western schools. Later, the Islamised and sometimes radicalised masses become ready tools for religious strife, violence, etc.


What role then is religion playing in the country?

fratermathy:


True but this is not peculiar to Nigeria. Take a look at other extremely religious countries in the world, you'd find this issue of social depravity very rampant.

In the AkwaCross region of Nigeria, for example, you will notice that quite a high percent of the ladies dress indecently and for a chaste man, it may be difficult to avoid temptation. Consequently, most men patronise these scantily dressed ladies. The result is a society filled with sexual energy and indecency. This is to be juxtaposed with the region being one of the most religious in Nigeria. In fact, being a non-religious person here can make you a pariah of sorts.


Let us leave development out of it now, what about the society itself? Violence, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking, corruption, internet fraud, etc, are rife in Nigeria. On Sundays and Fridays, you see those who commit these offences at the Church or Mosque and they even receive special prayers from the Pastors/Imams. What role then has religion essentially played in the long run?

I get your point now but have you ever imagined what Nigeria will be like if there's no fear that a deity somewhere will punish us someday for our evil deeds ?

has the thought ever crossed your mind?

Kondomatic:
Split Nigerian and watch each zone develop to its full potential in the shortest possible time. how can you develop as a country when the elites ruling US are interested in looting and laundering money abroad.


Though you shouldn't be comparing us with the countries you mentioned cause we are still infants compared to them and Religion is not the reason we are backward, religion in fact is the reason we have gotten this far.

Bro forget dt issue of infancy....india is just abt 70 yrs n see how far dey have gone. Its not by age but their mentality.


Religion is one of d biggest problems of Africa next to tribalism.

Kondomatic:
Split Nigerian and watch each zone develop to its full potential in the shortest possible time. how can you develop as a country when the elites ruling US are interested in looting and laundering money abroad.


Though you shouldn't be comparing us with the countries you mentioned cause we are still infants compared to them and Religion is not the reason we are backward, religion in fact is the reason we have gotten this far.

split Nigeria and the same elites will still be controlling the federating units

Kondomatic:
I get your point now but have you ever imagined what Nigeria will be like if there's no fear that a deity somewhere will punish us someday for our evil deeds ?

has the thought ever crossed your mind?

Yes..China lives like that and they toughen their laws n punishment systems. They hand karma ASAP

jmichlins:
split Nigeria and the same elites will still be controlling the federating units

No sir

Kondomatic:
I get your point now but have you ever imagined what Nigeria will be like if there's no fear that a deity somewhere will punish us someday for our evil deeds ?

has the thought ever crossed your mind?

Well... Religion has still not stopped people from killing, robbing, maiming, raping, stealing public funds, etc. Some are aware of the religious repercussions to their actions (assuming they believe in it), yet they believe at the end, they'll pray for forgiveness and all will be forgiven. I think this contributes to the problem. There is no instant restitution anywhere. People must learn that they will suffer for their actions through legal means.

I heard the confessions of an "ex" armed robber, now a pastor, who confessed to killing many people, raping women, etc, and was suddenly called by "Jesus" one day to drop his gun and get a Bible. He was never punished for his sins despite his public confessions. What example has been set already?

yomi007k:


Yes..China lives like that and they toughen their laws n punishment systems. They hand karma ASAP

You got me .



Never thought about them

Kondomatic:
You got me .



Never thought about them

Do u knw dt ds yeye chinkos dt commit crimes in Nigeria cant even imagine it back home? They do it cos 9ja terrain favors it.

In terms of Religiosity Nigeria is still a baby.
When European countries were burning witches during the inquisition where/what was Nigeria doing?

The problem I see with religion is the cloak of infallibility that forecloses any form of critical questioning, which is why some people are labeled atheist or heretics; Yet, the actions, inactions, utterances of religious adherents in the name of their God have all the hallmarks of fallibility.

The Bible says, "to the pure all things are pure, to the depraved all things are depraved," meaning if you are an honest person (for instance) whether you belong to a religious group (church/mosque) or not, you are an honest person and it will show in your actions, inactions or utterances. And vice versa.

Kondomatic:
No sir

to the North, saraki, to the east Peter obi and to the ss, akpabio. What difference does it make

fratermathy:


Well... Religion has still not stopped people from killing, robbing, maiming, raping, stealing public funds, etc. Some are aware of the religious repercussions to their actions (assuming they believe in it), yet they believe at the end, they'll pray for forgiveness and all will be forgiven. I think this contributes to the problem. There is no instant restitution anywhere. People must learn that they will suffer for their actions through legal means.

I heard the confessions of an "ex" armed robber, now a pastor, who confessed to killing many people, raping women, etc, and was suddenly called by "Jesus" one day to drop his gun and get a Bible. He was never punished for his sins despite his public confessions. What example has been set already?

The government should have arrested and prosecuted the ex robber bro.

See, a Nigeria without religion would not be a Nigeria without evil or crimes. People will do terrible things with or without religion. Man is naturally aggressive- had religion never existed people would have still committed terrible crimes against humanity, but under secular ideology.
That's my belief.


Take away bokoharam and APC Haram or PDP Haram will start. The fight for power will continue.


OK, lemme agree that religion allow people to get away with certain crimes but have you imagined us with Education that Christianity brought?


We would have continued to live like dangerous animals that continually fight one another for territory.

jmichlins:
to the North, saraki, to the east Peter obi and to the ss, akpabio. What difference does it make

The system of government won't remain the same.

menxer:
In terms of Religiosity Nigeria is still a baby.
When European countries were burning witches during the inquisition where/what was Nigeria doing?

The problem I see with religion is the cloak of infallibility that forecloses any form of critical questioning, which is why some people are labeled atheist or heretics; Yet, the actions, inactions, utterances of religious adherents in the name of their God have all the hallmarks of fallibility.

The Bible says, "to the pure all things are pure, to the depraved all things are depraved," meaning if you are an honest person (for instance) whether you belong to a religious group (church/mosque) or not, you are an honest person and it will show in your actions, inactions or utterances. And vice versa.

Very true. There is the tendency of many religious persons to see those that question their faith and beliefs as heretics. That is also a cause of violence in many Islamic nations today.

Just because you are religious doesn't mean you shouldn't think, be curious or marvel at the wonders of science and philosophy.

Kondomatic:
The system of government won't remain the same.

what will change with the system of government. Looting or corruption. Just take a look at Texas and compare it to Nigeria yet it's still part of USA

At the risk of generalising, It is evident that the most religious societies in the world have the higher percentage of morally bankrupt persons

This is a simplistic view of relationship between religion and the society. It's society like Nigeria that put the problem of corruption on religion rather than the government. The problem of moral decadence on religion rather than on families. The problem of society decadence on religion rather than you and I.

The reason why religion is a scape goat is because every other areas of our lives have failed ... .. Education failed, system of government failed, economy failed. If it has been working you won't think of the religion.

OP, you're one of the problem, you focused so much on religion who has no access to money rather than our politicians who are going away with murder. Instead of holding our politican responsible, you are blaming religion that has no legal duties to provide schools, good roads, stabilize the economic etc.

On Sundays, "slay queens" go to Church and dance even more than the pastor. That same evening, the "slay queen" puts on scanty clothing and probably heads for a secret rendezvous with the same pastor.

I know when it comes to church's issue, you always see the cup of empty. But have you ever wondered why despite the level of poverty, we were rated one of the happiest country... .. .. religion. Have you ever wondered at the low rate of suicide compare to so called developed countries..... Religion. Have you ever wondered at the high level of hopes of Nigerians..... Religion. Have you ever wondered why Nigerian's spirit seems so unbreakable.. ... .. . Religion.

Religion at his worst happened when people start getting indoctrinated and it happened because other areas of our life have failed.

* it takes religious beliefs, to make Nigerians continue to romance hopeless ideas, policies and leadership forever.

* it takes religious beliefs, to make Nigerians to rather remain oppressed, than to demand fairness, equity and justice.

* it takes religious beliefs, to make Nigerians to abhor the bold attitude of demanding responsible leadership.

* it takes religious beliefs, to make Nigerians prefer "go and sin no more" (impunity) for rouges plundering our commonwealth, than to demand a commensurate deterrence.

There's nothing like over-religious, what we have is a cancerous influence of religious beliefs on the different leadership strata of Nigeria.

A prevailing secular Nigeria, is the path to liberation from the fetters of religious idiocy.

luvmijeje:

This is a simplistic view of relationship between religion and the society. It's society like Nigeria that put the problem of corruption on religion rather than the government. The problem of moral decadence on religion rather than on families. The problem of society decadence on religion rather than you and I.

The reason why religion is a scape goat is because every other areas of our lives have failed ... .. Education failed, system of government failed, economy failed. If it has been working you won't think of the religion.

OP, you're one of the problem, you focused so much on religion who has no access to money rather than our politicians who are going away with murder. Instead of holding our politican responsible, you are blaming religion that has no legal duties to provide schools, good roads, stabilize the economic etc.


I know when it comes to church's issue, you always see the cup of empty. But have you ever wondered why despite the level of poverty, we were rated one of the happiest country... .. .. religion. Have you ever wondered at the low rate of suicide compare to so called developed countries..... Religion. Have you ever wondered at the high level of hopes of Nigerians..... Religion. Have you ever wondered why Nigerian's spirit seems so unbreakable.. ... .. . Religion.

Religion at his worst happened when people start getting indoctrinated and it happened because other areas of our life have failed.

Well, let me say I catch your drift.

@fratermathy,

Whether it is drinking rat poison(like retarded rodents), or eating grass(like demented donkeys), the relationship between "domesticated house flies and cow dung" is directly proportional to the relationship between imbeciles and religion!!! The former are always attracted to the latter, and are totally influenced by it

fratermathy:
One irony I can't seem to wrap my mind around is that of the link between religion, moral depravity and social deviance. At the risk of generalising, It is evident that the most religious societies in the world have the higher percentage of morally bankrupt persons. Taking Nigeria for instance, we have a very religious population of more than 140 million persons. Almost every Nigerian subscribes to one religious belief or another and yet the country still remains in the shadows of darkness, corruption, obscenity, lewdity, callousness, and a gamut of social vices and indecent behaviours. On Sundays, "slay queens" go to Church and dance even more than the pastor. That same evening, the "slay queen" puts on scanty clothing and probably heads for a secret rendezvous with the same pastor. It begs the question of what moral influence religion really has over Nigerians. Is it that religion brings out the worst in people? Is it an issue of hypocrisy? Or are we just naturally so?

Let us leave Nigeria and proceed to highly religious nations like India, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, etc. These nations, in no particular order, rank highest in the demand for internet pornography. As we all know, terrorism has become the norm to most of these nations. Other forms of moral depravity and social deviance abound. Violence, rape, hypocrisy, etc, are rife.

Progressive nations such as the USA, UK, Germany, Russia, etc, have a much less religious population yet meaningful development takes place, moral depravity is controlled and other social vices are minimal. We can easily say that these nations have better systems and that depravity is not a product of religion whatsoever but is that really true?

When the USA and Russia were sending men to the moon, Nigerians were still busy building churches, mosques and burning shrines. When USA and Russia were advancing technology and science, Nigerians were busy catching witches and wizards and casting out demons and spirits. When advanced nations are thinking of Mars, Nigerians are still stuck on myths and legends, and the likes. When other nations are advancing their democracies and demanding for better leadership, Nigerians prefer to complain and "pray about it".

Religion is good, no doubt. It has its values, for sure! However, when a society becomes too religious, the paradox of moral depravity and social deviance begin to kick in. Until we stop being over-religious, we may never get to the Nigerian utopia.

- Iroro Orhero <literarymathy[at]gmail.com>

I recently travelled by road through the Southwest, South South and Southeast , something I hadn't done in a long while.

Aside from bad roads, four very consistent images or memes that bogged me throughout my travels were dirtiness, poverty , dilapidated schools and big Churches, as if the four were interlocked in a four-way symbiotic relationship.

In a country where every poor village or Hamlet proudly showcase their big, shiny, well-maintained Churches side by side with dilapidated primary and secondary schools, there surely cannot be a good and bright future for such a country.

plaetton:


I recently travelled by road through the Southwest, South South and Southeast , something I hadn't done in a long while.

Aside from bad roads, four very consistent images or memes that bogged me throughout my travels were dirtiness, poverty , dilapidated schools and big Churches, as if the four were interlocked in a four-way symbiotic relationship.

In a country where every poor village or Hamlet proudly showcase their big, shiny, well-maintained Churches side by side with dilapidated primary and secondary schools, there surely cannot be a good and bright future for such a country.

To further your point, I also recently travelled to a semi-rural area in 2 different states.

Their schools were crumbling and dilapidated structures but I could count 5 churches; 2 recently constructed, and those were the ones by the roadside


When a country places building elaborate structures to wail and gnash over transferring knowledge to young minds,

Nigeria occurs

SirWere:

To further your point, I also recently travelled to a semi-rural area in 2 different states.

Their schools were crumbling and dilapidated structures but I could count 5 churches; 2 recently constructed, and those were the ones by the roadside


When a country places building elaborate structures to wail and gnash over transferring knowledge to young minds,

Nigeria occurs

this is worse than I thought

Niflheim:
@fratermathy,

Whether it is drinking rat poison(like retarded rodents), or eating grass(like demented donkeys), the relationship between "domesticated house flies and cow dung" is directly proportional to the relationship between imbeciles and religion!!! The former are always attracted to the latter, and are totally influenced by it

Wow...I had never sen those pics before
"Pastors" are allowed to engage in witchcraft and practice hypnotism on the congregations because unfortunately, people have not prayed and sincerely asked for the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. "Man" has become their God. The healthy balance between respecting the pastoral position and still letting Christ & HIS Word be the ultimate authority...has been destroyed and so what results is fanaticism.
I've said repeatedly that many are not called into the ministry of Christ. What you see is the ministry of "man" complete with fame, power and fortune. It has absolutely nothing to do with Christ (not to offend folks..but just stating truth).
Christianity is not supposed to be thousands of different denominations with all these different doctrines. That was never the intent of Christ ever.....Christians are all supposed to be in one accord...in truth....from His Word.

SirWere:

To further your point, I also recently travelled to a semi-rural area in 2 different states.

Their schools were crumbling and dilapidated structures but I could count 5 churches; 2 recently constructed, and those were the ones by the roadside


When a country places building elaborate structures to wail and gnash over transferring knowledge to young minds,

Nigeria occurs

What do you suggest as a solution to this problem?

MZLady39:



What do you suggest as a solution to this problem?

we should stop respecting Pastors, Imams, and Rabbis more than we do Farmers, Teachers, and Scientists, doctors etc

we should stop putting bible and Qur'an above brain, faith above facts, prayer above proof, churches over schools, rapture above reason, invisible gods over visible goodness, life after death above life before death, tithing above thinking etc etc

get these priorities in order and automatic growth and development follows

hopefulLandlord:


we should stop respecting Pastors, Imams, and Rabbis more than we do Farmers, Teachers, and Scientists etc

we should stop putting bible and Qur'an above brain, faith above facts, prayer above proof, churches over schools, rapture above reason, invisible gods over visible goodness, life after death above life before death, tithing above thinking etc etc

stop these things and automatic growth and development follows

Hmmm....or respect them on the same level as other professions, but not give them extraordinary respect. I have to disagree about the importance of the Bible (speaking from a Christian perspective). Humble adherence to the Bible is what sets the foundation for healthy families, which leads to healthy churches, which leads to healthy communities. Ideally, that chain would lead to a healthy nation.
However, separation of church and state should've have remained. The two shouldn't be co-mingled.
That re-opens a can of worms though.

MZLady39:



What do you suggest as a solution to this problem?

In the words of Karl Marx :
[center]The first requiste for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion[/center]


However, seeing that that'll give rise to too much persecution complex inspired nonsense ( China, for example and Russia JW issue);

I would rather suggest our Senate create laws leveraging and punishing the excesses of religious institutions.


For example, they could make a law that prohibits proliferation of churches while educational structures are crumbling.

They could make laws that regulate the amount of churches per 100 sq km.

They could impose taxes on churches and mosques; a tithe from their member's tithe



These are just tips of the ice-berg.