RELIGION AND MORALITY AS INSTRUMENTS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN IGBO SOCIETY

Abstract

If there is anything a society needs so much and seriously today, it may not fall short of human development which would permit such society to lead other societies or to catch-up with the leading ones. Modern development focuses on science, technology, infrastructure, industry, education, politics, agriculture and many more. Most scholars may have it that education is the most potent instrument for the overall development of mankind, but it serves no purpose to develop a society that is difficult to inhabit because of anti-social behaviours such as corruption, killing, injustice, bribery and many more. Igbo Society got contaminated with western civilization first introduced by the missionary and since then has not recovered. In this paper the writers try to examine religion and morality as instruments of human development in Igbo society against the impact and effect of Western civilization and modernity. Durkheim's social theory of religion that says that religion functions to reinforce the collective unity or social solidarity of a group was adopted. Primary data was collected through observation, interview and references to experiences. Secondary data was collected from books, journals, magazines and internet materials. The study found out that Igbo society was a peaceful and a loving, full of charitable works and brother's keeper until Christianity, Western civilization and modernity interfered to change the narrative. The study recommends that traditional religion be taught as course of study in both primary and secondary schools in Igbo society.