DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIONS

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Browsing DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIONS by Subject "CHRISTIANITY"

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    A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE CONCEPT OF EVIL IN CHRISTIANITY AND YORUBA RELIGION
    (UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018) AKINDELE, Samson Kehinde
    The problem of evil is explicit on how to reconcile the existence of the omnipotent and omnibenevolent God with the stark reality of evil in the world. Many theists have made several attempts to solve the problem but their proffered solutions are inadequate. The aim of the study was to examine the dynamics of the problem of evil in Christianity and Yoruba religion. The objectives of this thesis were to (i) define the co-existence of God in Christianity and Yoruba religion, (ii) probe into the understanding of God in Christianity and Yoruba religion (iii) examine the variables that are involved in the dynamics of the problem of evil in Christianity and Yoruba religion; (iv) Examine the meeting point of Christianity and Yoruba religion on the problem of evil. (v) Investigate the teachings of Christianity and Yoruba religion on how to cope with the problem of evil. The research methods used were interpretative, comparative and phenomenological interpretative method was adopted to explain the meaning people assigned to the problem of evil, comparative method was to compare and contrast the submissions of Christian and Yoruba religious adherents, while phenomenological method was employed to examine the events and experiences of evil in Christianity and Yoruba Religion. The findings of this study were that i. God is conceived as omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omnipresent in both religions has not changed. ii. God is an ontological Being that is fundamental to the belief systems of both Christianity and Yoruba Religion. iii. Yoruba religion synthesize the relationship between Satan and Olodumare they protect God’s Omnipotence by perceiving Satan as God’s messenger while Christianity tends to rob God of His Omnipotence by regarding Satan as God’s arch enemy who is always mounting pressure on good things created by God.; iv. The meeting point of Christianity and Yoruba religion is the willingness to accept the goodness of God in spite of evil in the world He created and that man is essentially responsible for evil; and v. Yoruba religion down play the problem of evil by their dualistic approach to it. Good and evil are not two distinct realities in isolation they are related to each other. They are dialectical. Therefore, evil does not contradict divine reality Christianity on the other hand proposes a Christ-centered, God’s Spint controlled life, as a way out of the dominance of evil experiences. The study concluded that; Yoruba religion has more convincing solution to the problem of evil than Christianity. Evil is consistent with the world as created by God. Therefore, the thesis recommended that scholars in relevant fields should consider the solution proffered by Yoruba religion and endeavour to promote African philosophy in universal scholarship.
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    THE SURVIVAL OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION IN IGBOMINALAND IN THE MIDST OF CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM
    (UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-06) ADETOYESE, John Olu
    The over-all dominance of Christianity and Islam in the religious landscape of Igbominaland, and Nigeria, has made the current and future status of ATR, look precarious. The motivation, therefore, for any research work on ATR in Nigeria today, as it was for this particular research effort, would no longer be its nomenclature, practises or weaknesses. These areas had been covered in previous research works of scholars in ATR. The aim of this study was to discover whether ATR is dead or still alive, using Igbominaland as a case study. The objectives of the study were to: (i) discover how vivacious ATR is in Nigeria using Igbominaland as a microcosm; (ii) find out some of the festivals and worships that are still observed in ATR in Igbominaland; (iii) evaluate the degree of interest and participation by the current generation in ATR worships in Igbominaland; (iv) evaluate the extent to which ATR adherents co-exist with others in Igbominaland; and (v) find out if, indeed, there is hope for ATR in Nigeria using Igbominaland as a case study. The methods adopted were historical enquiry, participant observation and interview methods. The historical enquiry method was used to investigate what happened within time and space in Igbominaland. Participant observation was done to appraise the commitment of the adherents to their religion while interview was also carried out to know how ATR is fairing in Igbominaland. Since Igbominaland is too vast to be covered by a single researcher, a survey of ATR practices was carried out in ten towns and villages to draw conclusions on the true position of ATR in Igbominaland, and Nigeria at large. The findings of this study were that: (i). ATR, in Igbominaland, is very resilient and can still be reckoned with because of the attention and patronage it is enjoying even by the adherents of other religions; (ii). Ogun, Esu, Osun, Epa and Sango divinities are still being celebrated and worshipped elaborately in Igbominaland; (iii). Youths are participating interest in ATR worships, festivals and observance of culture; (iv). ATR adherents in Igbominaland are peace promoters in their various communities; and (v). There is hope for ATR in Igbominaland looking at the level of community participation, consultations and patronage in times of celebrations as well as in times of crises. The study concluded that ATR remains a major religion in Nigeria judging by what was found on ground in Igbominaland. Since ATR is still surviving in spite of the overwhelming influence of Christianity and Islam, the study then recommended that, proper mentorship be encouraged to groom the younger generation to take over from the older generation. Students are also encouraged to study ATR in elementary and tertiary schools as people study CRS and IRS. Government should give recognition to ATR in the areas of public holiday declarations and oath taking in Law Courts.