The Importance of Marriage and Religion in a Multi-Religious Contemporary Nigeria Society: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Nigeria, a multi-religious nation with majority professing a belief in God, thus affirming that religion is important in their lives.1 Vast number of the total population attend religious services on daily, weekly and monthly basis. Most Nigerian adult male and female are married while some are dreaming of marriage at some time in their lives. Religion and Marriage as social institutions, is comparably on the shortlist of “most important institutions”. Marital unions differ in a variety of ways, including the characteristics, viz: education, earnings, religion, and cultural background of each of the partners, and the homogamy of their match on these characteristics. Religion also has multiple aspects including religious affiliation, set of theological beliefs and practices, and religiousity which may manifest in various levels and forms of religious participation and in terms of the salience of religion as a guide for one’s life. This paper focused on broad comparisons between marriage and religiousity analytically. It argued that marriage and religiousity generally have far-reaching positive effects; they influence similar domains of life; and there are important parallels in the manners each achieves these outcomes. The paper discussed qualifications and important exceptions to the general conclusion that marriage and religious involvement have beneficial effects; and concluded with a consideration of the intersection between marriage and religion and suggestions for future research.