Usage of Effective Communication in Curbing Religious Fanaticism: The Nigerian Experience

Abstract

Religious Fanaticism have been the bane of our society since most religions claim to be the best way or right path for the Devotee to attain Nirvana (Kingdom of God).Thus this paper examines the extent that religious leaders in Christianity and Islam in Nigeria have influenced religious fanaticism through their teachings via communication to their Devotees and general believers .It is a known fact that in Nigeria, victims of religious arrogance and beliefs have suffered a lot of violence from numerous religious fanatical groups under the guise of religion. The thematic framework for this paper is the Two –Step Flow theory which stipulates that influence from communication on an individual is more on a personal level than through the mass media which is impersonal. This means that communication is mostly believed when it is from the set of people we love and respect on a face- to- face basis. The researcher recommends that the religious leaders of both religions in Nigeria should use effective communication in curbing religious fanaticism which will eventually enhance peaceful coexistence within the country. ‘There is only one religion, though there are a hundred versions of it’ -GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (1989 ) Keywords- Religious Fanaticism, Devotee, Religious tolerance, Effective communication, Religious Syncretism.