Religious Dogmatism, Prejudice and Conflict in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has over the years witnessed religious conflicts that have threatened the unity of Nigeria. From the point of view of Intergroup Threat Theory, this paper argues that religious conflicts that Nigeria has witnessed over the years is traceable to prejudice resulting from religious dogmatism which has been expressed through intolerance, clashes, riots, and discrimination. Through religious teachings, religious leaders have instilled dogmatic prejudice in their followers which has culminated in religious intolerance, violence, discrimination, and resentment perpetrated by religious groups against other religious groups which they have defined as out-group. To preclude religious conflict in Nigeria therefore, religious leaders and teachers should be sensitized to indoctrinate their members in a way that would promote love, peace, and tolerance, and abstain from any form of teaching and utterances that could cause their members to be prejudiced against other religious groups.

Keywords: Dogmatism, Prejudice, Conflict, Nigeria