Religious intolerance in Nigeria

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

explain religious intolerance.
enumerate the causes of religious intolerance in Nigeria.
identify the consequences of religious intolerance.
discuss some ways of controlling religious intolerance in Nigeria

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:�

Pupils textbook

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Scheme of work

All relevant materials �� 

6-Years Basic Education Curriculum

Online information

BUILDING BACKGROUND/CONNECTION TO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:

Pupils are familiar with the topic in their previous classes.

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CONTENT

Meaning of religious intolerance

Religious intolerance occurs when worshippers of a particular religion are unwilling to tolerate (or accept) the views, ideas or ways of worship of those who belong to other religions. Religious intolerance many times leads to riots. An example of religious intolerance is the series of the Maitatsine riots in some parts of northern Nigeria in the 1980s. This led to the destruction of lives and property. The destruction of lives and property by the Boko Haram sect is another example.

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Causes of religious intolerance

Religious intolerance may occur as a result of the following:

Ignorance: Most times, religious intolerance is caused by people who do not really understand what religion is all about.
Ethnicity: Some people from different races, tribes or ethnic group do not tolerate or accept each other because of the differences in language, skin color, customs and traditions. These people may practise different religions, and may fight each other whenever there are religious riots.
Impatience: The inability to wait for the solution to a particular problem may lead to religious intolerance. When the people involved cannot wait for the problem to be solved in a civilized way, they may start a fight and become violent.

�Consequences of religious intolerance

Many innocent lives are lost during religious crises.
Religious intolerance may lead to the damage or destruction of property and other valuable items of people, and sometimes, to loss of lives.
The victims are displaced from their homes and they suffer untold hardship. Some have to relocate to safer places to start life afresh.
People are wrongly made to believe that one type of religion is better than or superior to another religion.

Young people who want to marry from religious groups other than theirs are not easily allowed to do so; so they may become unhappy.

�Ways of controlling religious intolerance in Nigeria

To minimize and resolve disagreements arising from religious intolerance, the following should be noted:

Leaders of religious groups should make sure that they and their followers know the proper meaning of religion. Religion is not meant for violence. It is meant for peace.
Leaders of religious groups should not preach violence. They should constantly teach their followers to embrace peace and love.
The government should make laws against all forms of religious intolerance. Those that engage in it should be severely punished by being given long jail sentences.
The mass media should be used to educate the public on the true teachings and doctrines of the different religions, and the consequences of religious intolerance.

Assessment & Evaluation:

(WRAP-UP CONCLUSION)

Teacher goes over the topic once again to enhance better understanding �� 

ASSIGNMENT

A Choose the best answers for the following questions:

Religious violence thrives in an atmosphere of _______________. A ignorance B poverty C unemployment D all of the above
All these are causes of religious intolerance except _______________. A education B ignorance C ethnicity D impatience
The unwillingness to tolerate the beliefs and ways of worship of people of other religious groups is called _______________. A religious violence B religious intolerance C religious tolerance D religious impatience 4 The lack of understanding of religious teachings can be referred to as

_______________. A knowledge B wisdom C ignorance D intelligence 5 Religion is meant for _______________. A killing B violence C preaching D peace

Which of the following is not a consequence of religious intolerance? A Displacement of people B Loss of lives C Damage to property D Peaceful coexistence
Controlling religious intolerance requires _______________.