The document explores the intricate relationship between religion and society, arguing that they are interconnected rather than separate entities. It highlights how religions, particularly Islam, Christianity, and African traditional beliefs, shape cultural identity, societal norms, and economic structures. The author emphasizes the need for inter-religious dialogue to foster understanding and coexistence in a diverse society like Nigeria.

1. RELIGIONS AND SOCIETY ( BY SHITTU OLANIPEKUN(M. A in view)
There is misconception in many quarters that religions occur only in churches, mosques, shrines
or other spiritual places of gathering. They see religion and society as complete, separate entities.
While this view may appear correct on the surface, a close look at religion and society reveals
that the two are not separate at all.
A society, according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary means ‘’ people in general,
living together in community.’’ Suffice it to say that there have always been significant factors
shaping human society in which religions take eminence and continues to be a positive source of
cultural identity with a great number of communities and commonwealth, but it also contributes
to the confidential structures and the formation and mobilization of prejudice.
Nigeria as a country that encapsulates various societies is not only heterogeneous, but also
pluralistic. It is pertinent to admit here that Nigeria is not secular but multi-religions where
religions has a place in every society, because religion is acknowledged from birth till death
irrespective of the various beliefs.
However, three religions are often acknowledged, although there are more. But prominent ones
are Islam, Christianity and Traditional/African religion. In each of these religions, we can find
insight for understanding the society in which it exists, as well as in the comparison of these
religions and their relationships with society.
The Islamic religion is more than just a belief in the Qur’an and Mohammed as the prophet: it is
also a blueprint for culture. Members of Islamic communities embrace their faith as a way of life.
The Qur’an, the Muslims’ major text, consists of, in addition to spiritual instructions, specific
directions for cultural life: "The Qur’an constitutes the Muslims main reference not only for
matters spiritual but also for the mundane requirements of day to day living...serving as his
manual of prayer, code of religious ethical well-being, his guide to social behavior and daily
living..." The Qur'an gives instructions for many areas of society, including public law and
customs such as marriage laws and sacrifices, economics (with the custom of almsgiving), and
daily life, which includes prayer five times each day. Therefore, due to its explicitness regarding

2. many cultural issues, the religion cannot exist merely in private life, for to be practiced fully it
must be adopted by the society and culture.
In addition to influencing culture, religion can also have a profound effect on economic changes.
In Christianity, the Catholic Church provides an example of a religion that has been
institutionalized and become a powerful economic force. Early on, the Catholic Church in Rome
had a great deal of wealth, which it used to assist other Christian communities during times of
hardship. The Catholic Church became even more influential later on, around the time of the
Reformation. There is gainsaying in admitting the fact that Christianity as a religion has a
significant influence on its adherents in the society.
African religion is the religion of our forefathers, although it is divided. This religion impacted
enough in relation to their respective societies, talking about their relevant theories; Pluralism,
communalism, negotiation, respect and the cyclic world view.
By examining these three examples: Islamic culture, Christian economics, and African religion,
we can see how intricately connected religion is with society and social change. Upon taking a
closer look, it becomes apparent that these relationships are all very similar. While these three
beliefs have distinctly different doctrines, and the manifestations of these doctrines in their
respective societies vary, the process in each case is the same. The espousal of a religious
doctrine influences the way a person views the world, and when an entire society of people adopt
the same religious beliefs, cultural, political, and economic changes are inevitable. In return,
elements of society such as geography, resources, and outside pressure also influence religious
doctrines.
However, the diversity in religion whereby there are as many religions as the number of ethnic
groups creates an obstacle to the effectiveness of Inter- Religions co-existence. Ironically, this
diversity is inevitable in our society. Hence, all religion must embrace dialogue and understand
one another so that the society will prosper. Religion without society cannot survive; also society
without religion will be chaos.