Harmonious Religious Coexistence In The Barracks, A Model Approach For Humanity
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Harmonious Religious Coexistence In The Barracks, A Model Approach For Humanity
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Religion is fundamental to both nature and human existence. It not only organises a just society, but it also explains the ultimate meaning of life and how to live appropriately in connection to other humans. Thus, Nottingham (2004) defines religion as:
A cultural instrument via which man has been able to fit himself to his experience in his entire surroundings, including his fellow group members, the sacred, and the world of nature.
As a result, religion must be viewed as playing an important role in the existence of any nation. However, a brief look at religion today reveals that it has become a source of conflict between individuals of the same religion and those of other religions.
In many places of the world, religion has become a source of discontent; battles have been waged, won, and lost in the name of religion as a result of the actions of religious radicals, fanatics, politicians, and troublemakers.3 Thus, the psalmist’s word is brought to bear and questioned here.
How delightful and pleasant it is for God’s people to live in harmony, like the precious anointing oil flowing down Aaron’s head and beard.4
The world’s three primary monotheistic religions are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. That is, faiths that believe in a single God. All three religions originated in the Middle East, and all three make reference to the Torah, God’s revealed will as expressed in the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy 5.
The number of Muslims in the world is approximately eight to nine hundred million less than the overall number of Christians, but nearly equal to the estimated number of Catholics, which is approximately nine hundred seventy-six million (in 1996).6
The Islamic world runs from Senegal on Africa’s west coast to Indonesia on the eastern side of the Asian continent, not far north of Australia. Apart from the largely Muslim countries of North Africa
there are just a few countries south of the Sahara that do not have a significant Muslim population. Modern Europe, particularly the United States of America, has a sizable Muslim population.
An rising number of Catholics in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, live or work among fellow Christians of various denominations, Muslims, and even traditionalists.
They walk past Protestant, Pentecostal, and even Muslim churches on their way to school or the market. They hear the muezzin’s early morning call to Muslim prayer.
But how much do Christians know about our various religious beliefs, and how much do we know about Islam? What prejudices do we have against Muslims, and what prejudices do we have as Catholics against other Christians, and they against us?
Christianity did exist as a unified unit following Christ’s injunctions for his disciples “that all may be one” and “so that the world may believe” (Jn.l7:21,23); yet, two significant divisions occurred that shook the entire Christendom.
In 1054, the Eastern Church split away from the Western Church, adopting a stance of “autonomy” and “orthodoxy”; four centuries later, the Western Church saw a second division as a result of the reformation.
In the middle of all these conflicts, Islam emerged, bringing with it religious tension, violence, and intolerance among many religious adherents today. It is unfortunate that Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims do not get along well. There is complete distrust and animosity among them.
Why is this so? Is this the world God made and how he intended it to be? Is this the unity Christ prayed for? In this essay, I hope to investigate the issues surrounding the lack of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the barracks. Because the experience of secular society is progressively permeating the barracks, and a situation similar to that of Eastern Europe is looming.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Almost all of the world’s population recognises the need of peaceful coexistence. However, this concept is rarely given the practical interpretation it merits. Even though this dilemma is tragic, the real issue is not so much their differences in doctrines, faith,
governance, and theology, but rather their inability to live in peace and harmony with those who claim the same creator, made in his own image and likeness, and believe their ultimate destiny lies with the same God.
Growing up in the barracks provided the researcher with some of his most memorable experiences. A time when Christians, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims all had much in common and had little reason to distrust one another.
However, years after leaving the barracks, he returned to his roots. This time, however, things have changed. Christians no longer live together, and there is constant animosity between Christians and Muslims as they await the day of doom.
Why is there such a dramatic change? Is it due to external or internal influences? Where has military discipline gone, and how do we deal with this looming threat before it gets out of hand? In this study, we will attempt to identify the root causes of the problem and devise solutions to stop it and restore the status quo ante.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The goal of this research is to see how the harmonious coexistence among people in the barracks that the researcher experienced as a child can be revisited and re-applied to this current situation, and how this can serve as a model approach to improving the level of coexistence among people in similar situations.
1.4 Significance of the Study
It is a well-known and acknowledged reality that in practically any place where people of different faiths and creeds live, there may be some tension and conflict of interests. In some circumstances, tensions escalate into full-blown disagreements and open confrontations, while in others, it is only a matter of time until violence rears its ugly head.
The significance of this study in this regard is consistent with numerous other publications, initiatives, and techniques. This work will attempt to offer more light on coexistence in the barracks, the military way of life, and how we may apply some of them to the greater community.
1.5 Sources and Methods of Data Collection
To meet today’s difficulties, data collecting sources and methods will be conducted through documentary and library research, as well as interviews.
1.6 Definition of terms
I. Religion: Religion, like human nature, is multifaceted in that what it means to one person may mean something different to another depending on cultural background and experience. “Everyone has some idea about religion and perhaps some mental pictures to go with it, but in trying to put that idea or picture into a comprehensive definition, the task becomes surprisingly difficult.”
7 The Oxford Dictionary defines religion as the belief in the existence of God or gods.8 It went on to describe it as a domineering force in one’s life9. According to Bouguet (2009), a true religion, which recognises the existence of God or gods, should cherish all of God’s creation. As a result, religion, unless it contradicts itself, must encourage unity and respect the right to life.10
Water (2007) defines religion as “a system of beliefs and practices pertaining to human relationships with God.” It is the whole of beliefs, attitudes, and actions, individual or societal groups, with the goal of achieving a supreme power on which man/woman relies and with which he/she can or has entered into relation.
It is apparent that religion has varied meanings for different people. While the researcher does not intend to define religion because any attempt may fail to provide a unified definition of religion, his main point in shedding light on an appreciation, understanding, and workings of religion in society is a document of the Second Vatican Council called “Nostra Aetate,” which describes religion as an avenue that man turns to for “an answer to the unsolved riddles of human existence.”
I2 It is also vital to underline that, regardless of how religion is understood, one cannot overlook its human dimension, which has given rise to religion in order to address certain human worries and yearnings.
ii. Co-existence – The International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary () defines co-existence as the state of harmonious coexistence. It is the simultaneous existence of individuals, groups, communities, and states with competing political, social, and religious systems and views. However, as the title suggests, cohabitation is “a meeting of hearts and minds across religious frontiers.”
It’s a gathering of people from various backgrounds who are willing to tolerate and stick together. Their coexistence may include a battle against injustice, fanaticism, and violence, as well as contributions to the people’s social welfare.
The ultimate goal will be harmonious cooperation, mutual respect, peace, unity, and development. Thus, coexistence presupposes mutual respect for one another and their belief systems. When tension or conflict prevails, there is little room for it; instead, serenity and tranquillity can be obtained.
iii. Harmonious – According to Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary (), it is a state of concord or accord. This state’s citizens or groups have similar thoughts, interests, and ideas, and despite their differences, they work together harmoniously.
iv. Humanity- Man has a nature that is pervasive and permanent, clearly characteristic of his species, and markedly different from the natures of other living things. Humanity is then assumed to be the product of man’s characteristic experience in any and all civilisations; hence, wherever man lives, he has lived with groups with comparable basic needs and activities.
He has had deep and personal relationships, and he has noticed disparities between those close to him and of his own kind and those further away and of another type. According to the Oxford Dictionary, humanity is defined as human beings seen as a collective or as the entire human race.14
L.7: Scope and Delimitation
In this research, we will look at how the three religious entities in the barracks, namely Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims, coexisted and how things have evolved. In this study, we will consider the influence of civil bodies in the current situation in the barracks.
We will use the Ribadu Cantonment Barracks Kaduna as a point of reference for this study, and due to difficult military bureaucracies, the researcher will rely on scant information obtained from people willing to assist. This book attempts to serve as a model for coexistence among all members of the human race, using the barracks as a case study.
1.8 Structural Organisation of Work
This article consists of five chapters. Chapter one begins by outlining the problem it wishes to investigate, what motivated the research, the significance of the essay, and the technique that will be employed to resolve the issue.
The second chapter discusses the literature and its relevance to the work. The third chapter discusses the research approach. The fourth chapter presents and analyses data from the research effort, while the fifth chapter summarises, closes, and makes recommendations for happy coexistence in the work.
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