RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND MORAL EDUCATION AS HALLMARK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AN INDUSTRIAL AGE

Cosmos B. Wule and Danjuma N. Wapwera

Department of Religion and Philosophy

University of Jos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Religion unites, binds, gives hope and saves, but in its diverse forms when incorrectly indoctrinated and misapplied divides, disintegrates, and destroys. Therefore its application has both positive and negative impact on life. However, the right practice of religion and religious freedom, as genuine freedom of conscience, and the virtues of ethics and morality are keys to positive social-cultural transformation as symmetrical activity synonymous with core human values for the progress and building of nations. It is not uncommon to agree with scientific researches that there is high propensity for positive transformational relationship between religious freedom, ethical values and moral education on one hand, and socio-economic, political, cultural and mental advancement of peoples, on the other. Religion, ethics and religious freedom are divine sciences designed to enhance attitudinal and moral change, and when appropriately taught, imbibed and applied, have tangible and positive impact on the mission of industrialization.

Drawing conclusions from the inevitable relationship between religious freedom, ethical values, moral education and social change, the questions to be answered include, inter alia, what is the connection between religious beliefs, freedom, Christian ethical values, and socio-economic development and good governance in a democratic society? Can religion and its ethical values agree with technological advancements and the rush for unhealthy competitions inherent in human nature? How could religious freedom, Christian ethics and moral education influence economic equitability, political stability and sustainable development in the face of corruption, as in the case of Nigeria, for example? What ethical questions control the production of technologies that waste resources in the process of competitive struggles and those that conserve energy, resources and general wellbeing of societies? Yet, how could religious freedom, ethics and moral education impact positively on science and technology as concrete values for human capacity building and national development?

This paper seeks to respond to these questions and to survey and expound the concept of religious freedom, Christian ethical values and moral education to bear on sustainable development, social, political and cultural transformation of concrete living States for the promotion, protection and enhancement of the quality of lives and property of citizens in an industrial age.

Keywords: Religious Freedom, Christian Ethics, Education, Sustainable Development, Industrial Era