INHERITED BELIEF

One way to get ones family angry is to announce that one is about to leave ones religion of birth. There is this expectation that a child automatically inherits the beliefs of the parent. There is a column for religion in an infants birth certificate and it is to be filled with the parent own religion. But the birth certificate did not ask for the parent birth certificate but the child’s. The opinion of the child was not sought . Yet whenever the child comes of age and decides to leave the religion of his birth, the parents get angry.

Some religion encourages her members to discriminate against and disown their children for attempting to leave the parent religion. Other religion ask parent to kill any child who abhors such thought . Of course every religion wants more members. One way to do this is to promise after death reward to entice non members to join. Another way is to make punnitive laws to prevent existing members including infants. from leaving th toe religion. Their goal is to have more members

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Civilization has made it ok for a grown up child to choose a career path different from that of the parent but it is unacceptable to deviate from one religion of birth. The parents did not take into consideration the individual characteristics of the child. An extrovert is more likely to feel attracted to a religion that gives members freedom of self expression and varieties. To compel the individual to belong to a religion that promotes repeatation of ancient prayers could be boring. Similarly, To compel an optimistic child to actively partake in a religious gathering that constantly preaches sin, hell, rapture, crucifixion,co tondemnation , etc makes one guilty. A positive approach would have been better.

To force belief to children and compell them to hold on to them for life is an infringement . the child religious freedom was not taken into consideration. Each child ought to be exposed to various teaching at an early age . He should visit the church, the mosque ,the shrine and other religious and irreligious group and study with them. and be free to choose according to it’s feeling. Wherever he feels joyous,that is his path . The parent can only bless him. This will teach him see things from various perspective at an early age and will make him more tolerance of those from other religious group. In this way, we build a next generation devoid of religious based violence.

A missing ingredient

Nigeria is a blessed country made up of different ethnic groups. These groups find it difficult to live peacefully among each other.There is an eye of suspicion that arises whenever come in contact with one who is different from us. We do not trust them.

The ability to get along with those with different mindset is essential to build a brand new country. It involves patience, understanding and acceptance of those of different ethnic group, language, religion and political views.

We ought to understand that when everyone thinks and behave in the same manner,the nation would be boring. Variety is the spice of life .diversity is central to humanity. A tolerant person recognises that his enemy has the right to think his own thought and live his own life as long as he doesn’t interfere in that of others. It gives to others the same freedom we crave.

A tolerant Muslim ignores hurtful remark from a thirteen years old. A tolerant Christian does not loose his cool when handling difficult situation. Both understand that even though everyone believe in the same religion, their understanding of that Religion would differ.A tolerant APC leader forgives the errors of PDP leaders and not constantly picking on them. A tolerant prison warder respects the right of prisoners. A tolerant spouse do not pick quarrel constantly with each other.

When we force the minority tribe into doing our bidding, hatred and contempt is not avoidable. By making certain allowance,we transform a harsh house into a sweet one

One way to increase our religious tolerance level is to study more about the other person Religion. Do this without the intention to convert to their religion but to understand why they believe in what they believe.l remember harbouring a slight contempt for Muslims who do not partake in eating a cow killed by a Muslim.I saw this as segregation.It was not until I inquired from a Muslim that I understand it had more to do with the love for cows that they do not want to watch it suffer while dying . They believe cows should die a quick death so they kill cows in a specialway using sharp knife while offering a special prayer. My contempt was based on ignorance. My newly acquired knowledge errased my false assumption

Visit other states.make friends with people from other tribes. try to learn another language.If there is going to be peace in this nation,it would require a new approach to striving for political and Religious power, an approach that is no longer based on competition,but one that sees all as one through competition and partnership. we will learn to handle our differences without aggression.open our heart to the possibility of ethno- religious unity.Find a common thread that runs through us all and forget about converting one another. to sharing.

Nigeria shall be great