Worldview, Conflicting Spiritualities and Religious Ecology in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract This article contributes to the religion and environment field by analyzing the environmental impact of two divergent ethical responses within Nigerian Christianity. Based on different interpretations of a specific aspect of African spiritual cosmologies, African Indigenous churches (AIC s) and African independent Pentecostals (AIP s) in Nigeria have formulated conflicting spiritualities that shape their ecotheologies. Based on this same cosmology, the ecotheology of the AIC s shows continuity with the indigenous notion of sacred space which also encourages the preservation of the ecosystem especially trees and wet forests. The AIP s, on the other hand, interpret the same notion differently by segregating the public space into holy and evil ecologies. To rid these habitats of perceived evil spirits in the ecosystem, some AIP s have constructed a theology of evangelism and spiritual warfare to expel these spirits by destroying their habitats and converting such habitats into holy use such as building churches and prayer camps. Based on data obtained through observation and literature, the proliferation of prayer camps along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is analysed as a product of these notions of holy and evil ecologies.