The Unifying Power of Religion!

TEMITOPE AJAYI

Issues of religious tolerance and accommodation in the South West of Nigeria have dominated social media debate and blogshere in the last couple of days. The Nigerian community of commentariat imploded with known allies at each other’s throat. 

Sadly, we are living in a world plagued by religious strife. The level of perversion we see is making many people lose faith in organised religion. 

Can we live in a world without religion? We can only imagine what it would be like to live in a world where religion and matters of faith are absent. 

Without doubt, religion is a powerful force . Its impact, however, depends on what it inspires people to do. So many people have been inspired to kill and hate in the name of preserving the sanctity of faith. In the same manner, individuals and communities have found compassion, healing, forgiveness, hope and wholesomeness through religion. 

Religion, in the hands of the right people, can be a huge force for the good of society. The challenge for policy-makers and leaders of faith is to harness the unifying power of faith and, where possible, eliminate its capacity to divide.