A cursory look into our nationhood, reveals a grave issue which have been treated with kids glove, and which like a ticking time bomb is ready to explode and shatter the 'weak' unity of our nation. This issue have proven itself to be so powerful that our present government have been seen to be handicapped to handle it. This is no other issue, than Religious Intolerance cum fanaticism.

One of the fundamental rights of the Federal Republic of Nigeria citizens as enshrined in our 1999 constitution amended, is this right to freedom of association, clearly written in Section 38(3) that deals with freedom of religion and section 40 that deals with freedom of association. Its expected that no one is allowed to practice his religion and religious beliefs at the expense of another. Be that as it may, recent happenings within the past few years in this nation have raised much dust, that one begins to ask, if some people or religious worshippers are above the law in regards to what the constitution says.

An unbiased research into the two major religions we have in our nation, reveals that both religions preach mutual tolerance, love and peace. However, it leaves one bewildered when some grave crimes and killings are been committed against fellow citizens under the disguise and cloak of religious beliefs and teachings. The two outrageous killings that sparked public outcry last year was the deaths of Mrs Agbahime, a leader in Deeper Life Bible Church and Sister Eunice, an Evangelist of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Northern Nigeria as a result of religious intolerance.

Common sense now asks, who are the perpetrators of these crimes? Is that what their religion teaches? No doubt, the two religious bodies do not condone hatred and outright killings, but when the crime is done, no one tries to get to the root of the matter, not even the government. This action breeds hatred, reprisal attacks, vengeance and great bitterness to the victims of such attacks.

Human life is sacrosanct and no one without the powers of the law should take away the life of another.

Religious leaders should not fan the embers of hatred and bitterness. It behooves on them to be the custodians of the teachings of their Holy Books. They should publicly condemn religious violence, no matter its shades and facades. They should indoctrinate their followers on the tenets of peaceful coexistence, mutualism, love and forgiveness. The ill teachings of religious superiority should be erased from our psyche and religious gatherings. Let everyone worship his own Maker within the ambits of the laws of the FRN and what the Holy Books teaches.

Extremists should b exposed and handed over to the Law Enforcement Agencies and duly prosecuted, with relevant punished meted. No body should be a sacred cow. No religion should be superimposed on anyone. We are Nigerians First before any religious affiliation. Killing in defence of ones 'god' only portrays that 'God' as weak, useless, powerless and vulnerable. No one should defend and kill his fellow man for 'god', rather let the reverse be the case, let God fight for himself.

Until we take the bull by the horns, in leaving no stone unturned, in the fight against religious extremism and fanaticism, we should be prepared for the forthcoming religious tsunami that will shred this nation into pieces.

In the New Nigeria Vanguard, we believe in the individuals right to serve his God and practice his religious beliefs but in tandem with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to the detriment of other citizens.

#saynotoreligiousextremism
#letlovelead
#tomorrowsleaderstoday

i just hope many will see reasons in this thread and think positively and stop fighting over religion. Religion has nothing to do with Nigeria been successful. Make war start today,God will not do anything. We wey start, na we go end am. If that being the case, our faith will be decided individually between you and God. No one will share with. Let's learn to preach goodness and love among ourselves and learn to tolerate other beliefs.

I do hope our leaders could take a piece of this, it takes two to tango.

The silence of our religious leaders to Crimes committed under religion is unfair