CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The Christian tradition has made
significant contributions to world peace at a number of different levels
(Albert, 2011). Among these are public statements by Church leaders, programs
of action at local and international levels, organisations dedicated to
bringing about peace, courses of study, commemorative days etc. In recent
decades, Church leaders have frequently made statements
in support of peace. In some cases these statements have been specific appeals for peace in particular circumstances,
however, on other occasions they have also published more comprehensive statements on the need for peace and the
means of achieving it. The teachings of Christianity which is guided by the
dictates of the bible (word of God) has constantly encourage the members to
ensure peace and harmony in the society.
Christian leaders have always publicly stood for
societal peace and harmony and against violence. It is now widely accepted that
violent conflict is the major hindrance to the development of the African
continent and Nigeria in particular. It inflicts human sufferings through
death, destruction of livelihoods, constant displacement and insecurity
(Barash, 2000). Violent conflict disrupts the process of production, creates
conditions for pillage of the country’s resources and diverts their application
from development purposes to servicing war. Violent conflict is thus
responsible for perpetuating misery and under development in the
country-Nigeria and the continent at large (Adetula, 2006).
Peace is a universal phenomenon that everyone
desires and wishes to enjoy endlessly. Traditions, cultures, religions and
societies do have different prescriptions to attaining and enjoying peace.
Whenever and wherever there is peace there tends to be development and longevity
is enjoyed (Salawu, 2010). To this end, Christianity which is one of the
predominant religions in the world today teaches peace and encourages all
adherents to the faiths to pursue peace and live peacefully with one another.
The above statement now seems to be questionable with the rise of intra, inter
and ethno-religious conflicts in the world. While most Arab and some European countries
are faced with intra-religious conflicts, an African country like Nigeria is
faced with both intra and inter-religious conflicts. Nigeria, which is
popularly known as Africa’s most populous black nation with a population of now
about 170 million people, with more than 250 ethnic groups has Christianity and
Islam as its predominant religions, though there is still in existence the
African Traditional Religion (ATR).
Christianity as a word means followers of Christ or
Christ like. Christians therefore are those who follow and act the teaching of
Christ in all ways of life. One of the climaxes of Christianity or Christian
virtue is peace. Christians are enjoined in the Bible to embrace and live
peacefully with their neighbors’. The following scriptures confirm this: Depart
from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34 vs 14). Blessed are
the Peace makers for they shall be called the children of God Matthew 5 vs 9). Let
him eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it (1 Peter 3 vs 11).
Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
(Hebrews 12 vs 14). If it be possible, as much as it lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men (Rom 12 vs 18)
The word Peace in Christianity is translated from
the Hebrew word ‘Shalom’, which is a key word in the Bible and its at the
center of how God wants us to live on earth. One of the key things Jesus came
to give humanity is Peace and expects us to live in peace as cited in the
scriptural verses above. Peace was not only what Jesus taught but He also lived
it, this in most cases is what scholars call pacifism, as Jesus never taught
violence, even at his arrest by the Pharisees and one of his disciples struck
the ears of the priest, Jesus rebuked the disciple and said that “those who
live by the sword shall die by the sword” (Mathew 26:52, NKJV). In another
place Jesus taught the people not to retaliate any evil done to them as it used
to be, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, if one should strike you on the
right cheek, turn the left cheek (Mathew 5:38-39, NKJV) but now to always
forgive those that offend them and he charged them to forgive their neighbors even
seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22, KJV). With all these scriptural teachings
of the church, Christians are suppose to live in peace and harmony in the
society.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The church has always taught the members on the act
of non retaliation as taught by Jesus which helps to absorb violence instead of
escalating it, hence every cycle of violence provoking revenge, which in turn
provokes more violence is broken by the simple act of tolerating the violence
and avoiding retaliation. On the contrary, there has been increased cases of
disruption to peace and harmony in the world today despite the church teachings
of peace as stipulated by Jesus Christ. However, the researcher is examining
the role of church in ensuring peace and harmony in the society.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the objectives
of this study:
1.
To examine the role
of church in ensuring peace and harmony in the society.
2.
To examine the dictates of the church as regards
peace and harmony.
3.
To identify the factors disrupting peace and
harmony of the society.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.
What is the role of church in ensuring
peace and harmony in the society?
2.
What are the dictates of the church as regards
peace and harmony?
3.
What are the factors disrupting peace and harmony
of the society?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
Ho:
The
church plays no significant role in ensuring peace and harmony in the society.
H1:
The
church plays significant role in ensuring peace and harmony in the society.
1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The following are the
significance of this study:
1.
The findings of this study will be
useful for the government, church leaders and the general public on the role of
the church in ensuring sustainable peace and harmony in the society.
2.
This
research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers
interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if
applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.
1.8 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study will cover the
position of the church and Christianity in general as regards the issue of
societal peace and harmony.
1.
Financial constraint–
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing
for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of
data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study
with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted
for the research work.