RELIGIOUS EXTREMISMAND INSECURITYIN NIGERIA:ACASE FOR RATIONALITY OFRELIGION

Abstract

It is common knowledge that Nigeria, over the years, has been besieged with numerous security challenges. Some of these challenges are cases of criminality for livelihood while some others are cases of sheer terrorism founded on some misconceived, miscommunicated and irrationally imbibed religious doctrines and teachings. In the cases of criminality for livelihood, criminals are most likely to give up their criminality if sustainable alternative means of livelihood are provided but in cases of terrorism founded on ill- conceived religious doctrines, there seems to be no alternative since it flows from deep convictions, most times premised on some eschatological gains. It is based on these facts that this paper focuses on religion-induced terrorism. Using the analytic and hermeneutic methods therefore, this paper argues that people should subject religion-induced actions to the test of (at least) basic rationality such that if a religious doctrine or interpretation pushes an individual to terrorise and kill fellow human beings for instance, such a person should first reflect on that doctrine within the context of basic rationality or common sense. To achieve this, we have, among other things, suggested in this paper that certain benchmark of rational soundness and comprehension should be set for any person who is to be charged with the responsibility of interpreting and teaching religious doctrines across all religions in Nigeria. This way, destructive religious indoctrinations and by extension, religion-induced insecurity will be minimized in Nigeria.