Taye Obateru
16 August 2001
Jos — GOVERNOR Joshua Dariye of Plateau state has called on Nigerians to emulate the United States of America's example to fashion out strategies for achieving religious harmony in the country.
He said Tuesday in a message to the opening of the 8th annual conference of the American Studies Association of Nigeria (ASAN) that the ability of the United States to maintain religious harmony despite the multiplicity of faith is a lesson for the people of other parts of the world like Nigeria. 'One significant aspect of the American religious experience is the fact of religious freedom. The first amendment to the American Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
'In addition, religion is separated from the state. As a result, despite great denominational differences and the growing multiplicity of faith in the past few decades, Americans continue to live together in harmony, thanks to the strength of their Constitution and their attitude towards religion, the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Chief Michael Botmang stated.
In a keynote address, a reknown professor of American religious history Dr. David Harrel identified two unique qualities that make religious harmony thrive in the United states. According to him, the concept of denominationalism which guarantees equal treatment of every religious body with none claiming superiority is one of these.
The second factor, he noted, is the fact that every religious body works for itself with none having any form of support from the state.
He said despite the multiplicity of religious bodies which are in thousands, they still manage to form a coalition to influence political issues and moral values in society.
He said religion provides a moral anchor for society and has since the 1950s succeeded in influencing the U.S. government on moral issues.
ASAN President, Prof. Samsudeen Amali explained that the association chose the theme 'religion in the United states of America' because it holds a great value and lessons for Nigeria.
He said the association which came into being about 10 years ago has been waxing stronger drawing membership from many Nigerian Universities and beyond.
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