Unpacking Religion, Ethics and Society: Lessons from Nigerian Experience

Abstract

Religion, Ethics and Society are tripartite human reality all over the world particularly in Nigeria. The increase in scientific and technological advancement across the globe is moving the world from the state of religiosity, morality and integration to that of secularism. In view of this trend, there is little or no regard for religion, ethics and societal issues. This is leading to a decline in the relevance of the value of religion, ethics and society. Religious traditions, beliefs and practices, ethical values and societal norms that used to be the hallmark of society are fast being eroded. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between religion, ethics and society. To achieve this objective, the paper employs a historical survey approach involving primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary sources of data collection comprises of information obtained from oral interviews and secondary sources of data collection involves obtained from oral interviews and secondary sources of data collection involves information obtained from journals, books, Internet materials and conference papers etc. The paper in its findings noted that one of the aftermaths of the decline in the recognition of religion and ethics to the society is the increase in social and moral problems, corruption, juvenile delinquency, sexual immorality, ritualism, economic exploitation, insecurity, criminality and ethnicity. The paper concluded that there is need to bring to the fore the relevance of religion, ethics and society in order to create a morally stable society