Impact of Religious Advocacy in the Promotion of Peace in a Religious Crisis-Ridden Nigeria Nation

Abstract

Nigeria is a nation that is rich in diversities of culture, ethnic and religion with potentialrnfor social-economic greatness. Regrettably, religion and violence has gradually entwined togetherrngiven birth to ceaseless altercation in the country. As evidenced, religion is favoured as a creditablernpartner in the process of social reconciliation and peacebuilding. The paper examined the impact ofrnreligious advocacy in the promotion of peace in a religious crisis-ridden Nigeria nation. The workrnadopted conflict transformation theory as its theoretical framework as qualitative method of datarnanalysis was used. Sharing of knowledge, conviction to contribute to peacemaking, consideration ofrnpeacemaking as a sacred duty, and deepen of cordiality among various religious groups werernidentified as opportunities of effective peacemaking. Unfortunately, a variety of factors includingrncontradictory religious narratives, cross-purposes of peace practitioners, inadequate funding,rnulterior motives of certain religious practitioners, and strong antipathy towards interfaithrnpeacemaking were found as challenges to the noble task of religious peacemaking. The workrnconcluded by recommending proper laying of emphasis on areas of agreement among variousrnreligious groups, prevention of cross-purposes, provision of adequate finance, and prohibition ofrnproselytism during interfaith dialogue. Entrenchment of interfaith studies as a course of study inrnthe higher institutions of learning is also significant.