Religion and National Development: A Critique

<p><span>The praxis of religion in Nigeria today has become very dicey. In fact, it is in a state of dilemma and some are even of the opinion that religion will kill the nation if it is not tamed. The focus of this paper is to critique this current praxis (mode of practice) of religion and recommend ways it can enhance national development using Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria as a case study. Our methodologies are evaluative, phenomenological and analytical, while our sources of information are both the primary and secondary. On the primary source, we administered a thousand questionnaires which cut across the three major religions in Nigeria and people of various fields of work, such as: civil servants, farmers, business-owners, etc. The analysis of the questionnaires was done using the simple percentage. The finding of this paper is that the present mode of religious practices in Nigeria is faulty and has done more harm than good. However, religion remains indispensable in terms of its moral and functional values as the moral sewer of society and as such it is needed to facilitate national development. Therefore, the paper recommends that rather than the present religious hypocrisy, malpractice, bigotry and adverse indoctrination, the emphasis should be on moral values that are derivable from these religions that will be of great relevance and benefits to mankind which will facilitate national development.</span></p>