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

AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER ROLES AND RELATIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAM

Nasir Muhammad Abdulhameed

Department of Religion and Philosophy

University of Jos, Jos Nigeria

Email: abdulhameedm@unijos.edu.ng / nmuham48@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Functionalist theory of sex roles differences was the applied method of explaining gender roles and relations. The emergence of feminist movements in the 1970s, brought about new ideas about gender and genders issues. Thus, gender refers to socially assigned roles of males and females. Gender roles show people’s function and capabilities, and gender relations reflect the interactions taking place between individuals through a process that differentiates and stratifies people. This paper analyzes gender roles and relations on the basis of the principles of Islam on gender. It draws data from primary and secondary sources, and employs the theoretical method in analyzing them. The findings show that there are similarities between Islamic principles on gender roles and relations and the functionalist theory of sex roles differences. Like other cultures, Islam prescribes roles for males and females, and provides guidelines for their relations. It does not bar women from acquiring knowledge, pursuing of lawful economic ventures, or occupying administrative positions. Islam rejects cultural practices that inhibit women development and subject them to unfair treatments, including denial of rights. However, the influence of radical feminism on some Muslim women resulted in misplacing the teachings of Islam on gender issues. Thus, the prescriptions of Islam on gender roles and relations do not subordinate women, or hinder their development. But this can best be understood, if gender issues are analyzed on the basis of Islamic norms and principles, and within the context of the Muslim society.

Keywords: Islamic Principles, Gender, Roles, Relations, Socio-Economic

CULTURAL PATRIARCHY AND MYTHICAL STEREOTYPES ABOUT WOMEN IN AFRICAN LITERATURE

Maureen Amaka Azuike,

Department of English,

University of Jos, Jos, Plateau  State, Nigeria. Email: amakaazuike@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Mythical stereotypes about women in African Literature have undeniably incorporated views which have mostly recognized women in terms of their sexuality and reproduction. Among these stereotypical views exist the continual stressing of the social and political, legal and economic supremacy of the man and the inferior status of the woman. The mythologizing of the woman as the lesser being, therefore, cuts across cultural and geographical boundaries and contemporary African writers have, unfortunately, exacerbated the problem in their works. This study will challenge the cultural, historical, religious and patriarchal boundaries set for women which have inadvertently escalated the breakdown of laws of moral conduct as seen in (selected) contemporary African literary texts. This study will be guided by the New Feminist Approach which is adopted due to its proposal of new ways of helping women to lead better lives as well as its proposal to correct the misconceptions about women. The study will also be guided by the Patriarchal Political Theory which has, to some extent, worsened women’s issues. The study will conclude that now is the time, more than ever before, to bust all the mythical stereotypes about women that are propagated by men, which tend to devalue women, and to rewrite contemporary African (feminist) narratives. This is because the archaic cultural values and demeaning roles assigned to women have had in them, deeply engrained social attitudes that have hindered women’s progress for years and have continued to impede their growth.

Keywords: Cultural Patriarchy, Mythical Stereotypes, Female Sexuality, Feminist Narratives, Contemporary African Literature.