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
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