BLOCKAGE TO NATIONAL GROWTH

Religious discrimination in an ideal sense can be defined as the practice of treating a particular group of people who believe strongly in God less fair than others, according to the 1999 constitution of Nigeria the right to freedom of worship was included for any individuals to have their choice of religion and as such, religious discrimination denies citizens of their rights to the choice of freedom of worship.

In present day Nigeria, religious discrimination could be traced to the north where Muslims fight against Christian in turn, run helter-skelter for their safety. Also in some school only people of the same religion are allowed as students, any other person is rejected. This is also a form of discrimination and the right to freedom of formal education are being denied citizens and thus must be discouraged. It is abnormal for two or more religions to be against each other for it is believed that God is one, just that they various approaches way in way of worship

Religion is said to be the bed rock and custodian of morality. Religious discrimination in a nation as a result of religious misunderstanding in terms of belief. When there is prolonged period of religious discrimination in a nation, its results in general lack of development. While religious discrimination lasts, social and religious lives of peoples crippled. The liberty of citizens are highly restricted, under this circumstance, the development of the people would be handicapped and disrupts national growth.

Religious discrimination involving rampant killing of religious men and women leads to the reduction in the nation’s population as large number of people are being killed. Religious discrimination when not managed can lead to war. When there is war, there is total repression of human rights, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and many others human rights are limited. There is scarcity of resources, reduced religious activities and this hinders national growth.

Property of the both individual and the nation are sometimes destroyed by angry religious men during the period of religious discrimination. Some national properties which caused fortune to establish that aids in national growth are easily looted and destroyed thereby reducing the nation’s economy. The standard of living of people are being trampled upon and this blocks the growth of the nation. Religious discrimination at a certain stage, if not properly managed can result to military coup and military takeover due to uncontrollable war.

Note: Military regime has little or no regard for human rights. In facts some fundamental rights are suspended, obnoxious decrees are promulgated. There is increased record of human rights abuses during military regime. Nation being controlled by military is not encouraging as the growth of the nation is being held at risk add this block the growth of a nation.