Article of Faith
Religious Blasphemy, Rule of Law & Political Plurality in Nigeria -By Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
When was it that Christians took laws into their own hands to attack their Muslim neighbors for teaching such blasphemy against Christianity? Why must it always be that Muslims will rise to take laws into their hands when any issue of blasphemy arises?
It’s time to talk deep talk
It’s time ask real questions
It’s time to discuss fundamental issues
It’s time to ask some salient questions: Does Nigeria have a constitution that guarantees every citizen equal rights to justice, religious freedom, and access to political participation?
For too long the Nigerian state has been entangled with religious extremism that contravene the letter and spirit of our Constitution. We have tolerated this situation but it has continue to breed violence.
The two main religions in Nigeria are Islam and Christianity. These have become opposing to the Constitution in it’s full application to the generality of the citizens.
For one, the issue of blasphemy has often led to mindless violence, loss of lives and property.
In Islam, Muslims believe that any statement or depiction that they consider an insult on The Prophet is a blasphemy. And that such blasphemy, particularly by a non-Muslim, must be responded to by death of the accused, outside the laws of the land. This scenario has played out in Nigeria on several occasions in our country.
But in Islam, Muslims believe and teach that Jesus is not the Son of God. Is that not blasphemous against Christianity and Biblical Truth?
Also, Muslims teach that Jesus Christ was not crucified and therefore did not resurrect from the dead. Is that a blasphemy against Christianity and Biblical Truth?
When was it that Christians took laws into their own hands to attack their Muslim neighbors for teaching such blasphemy against Christianity? Why must it always be that Muslims will rise to take laws into their hands when any issue of blasphemy arises?
Why must the country continue to condone acts of violence from one religious faith in protection of their faith and overlook blasphemous statements against another faith in the same country? It’s either we are running two nations/countries in the same nation or we are fooling ourselves.
The time to dileniate these issues is now.
Let the conversations begin.
Either Nigeria is governed as a multi-religious state, where each religious faith submits itself to the Constitution or Nigeria is clearly divided into the different Religious faiths so that each can practice and apply their Faith in their own constitutional context.
Enough is enough.
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NewsChristian Network
Courtesy, NSCEA
