INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND RELIGIOUS PEACE BUILDING IN NIGERIA: READING ACTS 15:2-15

Abstract

The conflicts in Nigeria have triggered the worst humanitarian crisis since after the independence, and if not checked, will continue to rise. Population and values displacements are increasing and an entire generation of children has and is being exposed to war and violence, increasingly deprived of basic services, education and protection. Three major religions are being practiced in Nigeria; Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion. These religious affiliations make it more difficult for the country to engage in meaningful interfaith dialogue because she is deeply affected by religious identities and meanings. Hence peace search based solely on secular values will probably not be sustainable. It is therefore the aim of this paper to recommend religious dialogue as expressed in the Acts 15: 2-15 which involves the different religious believers and recognize their religiousness. The council of Jerusalem thus demonstrated the willingness of the religious leaders to make compromise on certain issues in order to maintain peace and unity.