HISTORICISING THE CONFLICTS OF RELIGIOUS SUPERIORITY ANDFUNDAMENTALISM IN GOEMAILAND, PLATEAU STATE, CENTRAL NIGERIA

Religion is known to be one of the common factors of conflicts in contemporary world. The introduction of religious sects and denominations in many parts of Nigeria compounded the causes of conflicts that trickled down to Goemailand and become one of the major problems that is bedeviling the area. The paper studied religious superiority and fundamentalism in Goemailand and interrogated the views that a particular group holds that their belief is the only absolute truth and superior faith that must be accepted. It also investigated the rigid and inflexible ideologies that make it difficult for some group to shift ground or compromise. The aim is to understand the application of discrimination and violence to justify firm defense of faith and belief against others on the basis of divine opinion. Oral sources, colonial and archival materials in addition to other relevant sources form the basis for data and information presentation in this paper. Historical analysis and inference were used to identify key issues that were resolved.