Religious Tolerance: A Tool For National Development

Abstract

Religious tolerance is a vital tool for National Development. It is an essential element of a peaceful nation, where people of different religions, beliefs, and cultures can coexist peacefully without any discrimination. The concept of religious tolerance has been widely discussed and debated throughout history. The importance of accepting and respecting diverse religious beliefs and practices has become increasingly recognized in recent times. However, this paper adopts explorative method to explore the significant role of religious tolerance in promoting National development. It discusses the importance of religious tolerance, its benefits to the nation, as well as the negative consequences of religious intolerance. This study highlights the various strategies that can be used to promote religious tolerance in the society. The study shows that intolerance affects social, economic and political stability, thereby impeding development. It argues that religious tolerance can promote national integration, unity, and growth as it fosters mutual respect and understanding across diverse religious traditions. Finally, the study outlines measures including education, dialogue, and legal frameworks that can foster tolerance, cooperation and inter-religious harmony in Nigeria with the ethnography gathered from the street of Ojo Local Government area forms the basis of this study.