The Complexion in the Theology Concept of Moslem Batak Toba Lecturers in University: Case Study in Indonesia (Published)
This study is aimed at describing the theology concept of Moslem Batak Toba lecturers in Universitas Negeri Medan (UNIMED), Indonesia. Therefore, he methodology used in this study was ethnography approach, which is part of the qualitative method. The techniques used in collecting the data were observation, interview and documentation. From this study, it can be found that there are three (3) tendencies of Moslem Batak Toba lecturers’ theology concepts. They are naqliyah, ‘aqliyah and “new theology”. In conclusion, Moslem Batak Toba lecturers in UNIMED have complexion in theology concept but the complexion always relates to their culture, religion and ideology even though in the “new theology” they can separate the area of culture and religion.
Keywords: Indonesia, Moslem Batak Taba, Religion., Theology
The Impact of Colonization on the African Writer’s Psychological Behavior (Published)
This paper deals with the Impact of Colonization on the African Writer’s Psychological Behavior. It takes the African writer and the major role of the Psychological Behavior as stimulation factor in writing about Colonization. Therefore, colonialism is considered to be a relationship between the indigenous majority and a small number of foreign invaders in which decisions made by colonizers directly affect the lives of the colonized people. European powers became more and more interested in gaining territories for themselves. Many European countries felt that their resources were in short supply after industrialization and were keen to find new resources such as gold and ivory. However, it is probably the combination of several suppositions that is best suited to capture the motivating factors. It becomes us to bear in mind that the conquest of Africa was not carried out by a monolithic entity with a single set of objectives
Keywords: Religion., Slavery, Wealth, Western-Style Education
Religion, Education and Development in Ghana: A Historical Perspective (Published)
Religion’ and ‘Education’ are inseparable aspects in every human society where they are found. Education has most often been considered as the backbone of development. Similarly, many development theorists have expounded the contributions of religion toward development. The responsibility that religions share in human societies are realised in different aspects of national life. Of particular concern is religions’ role in education toward national development. This work is discussed from the dimensions of the contributions of Christianity and Islam in education in Ghana. Generally, education is understood to mean to train or mould. In this study, it implies the art of learning, literacy and the process of acquiring knowledge. In the quest to advance the livelihood of members of society through education, it has become important to expatiate the task of religion in the development of education. This is to help stamp out the reluctance to consider the influence of religion in sustainable and authentic human and national development. This paper is primarily purposed to outline the contributions of religion and education to national development in Ghana. The quest for an all-inclusive development model of Ghana and other developing nations, therefore, calls for an insight into the role and responsibilities of religion toward education. In the case of Ghana, like other nations, the impact of religion on (formal) education has immensely ensured the development of individual lives, communities and traditional institutions since the 19th century. A study with an aim such as this will help promote better relationship among states and religious groups.
Keywords: Contributions, Education, Historical Perspective, National Development, Religion.
ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS AND DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA (Published)
Nigeria is a plural society. By this is meant the country is a melting pot of ethnic nationalities, class, regions, religions and other socio-cultural markers. Its pluralism has shaped and continued to manifest in its politics. The political class, in collaboration with their religious counterparts has exploited ethnicity and religion as symbols of mobilization and instrument of negotiation for patronages and sharing of national resources. Thus, most conflicts which ordinarily could have been seen as distribution based had assumed ethnic and religious character. These conflicts are virulent and had caused destruction of lives and property of innocent Nigerians. The conflicts have also undermined the peaceful coexistence among the Nigerian peoples, thus scuttling the integration efforts of the country. This study Is both interrogative analytical. It is interrogative to the extent that it searches for the causes of ethno-religious conflicts in the country. The study is also analytical in the sense that it explains from the frog’s eye view, the variables responsible for those interminable conflicts.The study concludes that the failure of the Nigerian political elite to establish good governance, forge national unity and promote economic development is at the base of communal, ethnic and religious conflicts in the country. The study opines that the country might suffer disintegration if this trend persists, especially with the internecine Boko-Haram insurgency and the perennial settler-indigene conflicts in the Middle-belt, that is, Plateau and Benue sections of the country
Keywords: Ethnicity, Ethno-Religious Conflict, Good Governance, Integration, Religion.
THE RESURGENCE AND REMEDIATION OF RELIGION IN A VISUAL CULTURE. (Published)
This paper takes off on the pedestal of the paradoxical stance with regards to religion and the place of religion in modern society. While some scholars from Charles Taylor in his secular age to Pope Benedict suggested the growing secularization of the pillars of society, others from professor Derrida to Meyer argue for the resurgence of religion. This paper while taking a middle stand argues rather for a change in the modality of remediation of religion in modern society. So that the onus of argumentation is not about the decrease or increase of the belief culture but the changing ground of its experience and remediation by the new and prevailing media. The paper postulates that in the ambience of an ever increasing visual culture, religious representation buys into the language of visuality. So that there is a greater tendency to emphasize that which is often more visible than that which is not and even non visual aspects of religion are reduced to visibility.
Keywords: Religion., Remediation, Resurgence, Visual Culture
RELIGION AND HUMAN RIGHTS: SEARCHING FOR A MUTUAL GROUND FOR DEVELOPMENT (Published)
In practical terms, religion and human rights are understood to be performing similar functions in respect of human development. The relationship between religion and human rights is on one side problematic and on the other, unavoidable in all parts of the world (as religion is a universal phenomenon). Broadly defined, religion involves what is sacred and transcends human knowledge. Human rights which seek to provide assorts of protection has also developed to received global attention. Human rights norms are inherently abstract ideals which depend on the visions and values of human communities to get its content and coherence. Traditional African concept of man emphasizes the spiritual dimension of human rights that must be heeded to. Western thought of ‘human rights’ seems to emphasise the ‘rights’ rather’ than the ‘human’. Human rights consist of two categories (human and rights) which need equal concentration. In view of this the paper explores the interaction of religious ideas and institutions in the wake to promote the rights of humans for sustainable development. Wherever religion appears to be a guiding principle in the lives of individuals and communities, it seems of obvious relevance to consider how it might be employed to further the course of equal rights for all. The paper objectively purports religion as an inherent condition of human lives which invariably provides the sources and scales of dignity and responsibility, respect and restitution that human rights need to survive and flourish
Keywords: Development, Dignity, Human Rights, Human Society, Religion.
Religious Conflicts In Nigeria And Their Impacts On Social Life (Published)
Our thinking, feeling and relation with other people impact our belief system. in some societies religious conflicts are not more common but there are some countries where these religious conflicts are that much powerful that they even effect the lives of the people in the society. It is also common practice that usually these type of conflicts arises in the developing and under-developing counties. Developing countries have some other issues to fight on. As far as Nigeria is concerned, this is the country where this conflict is more powerful than any other concept. This paper is about the religious conflicts of the people in Nigeria and its impact on their social lives
Keywords: Christians, Muslims, Religion., Sharia Law, Social Life
Religion and Morality in Ghana: A Reflection (Published)
Several scholars have written extensively on religion and morality. These works generally try to answer the question of what determines morality. Whiles some scholars strongly maintain that religion is the determinant of morality, some are sceptical and others do not accept such stance. Such discourse has found its way into African ethics with views from the west and among some Africans who maintain that the morality of Africans is religious base. In joining this debate however, this paper sets out to revisit the views articulated by scholars on the question of the determinant of morality and to find out whether religion determines the morality of Ghanaians. The paper concludes that religion determines the morality of Ghanaians.