Religious Bodies Research Articles

Political Organization in Multicultural Societies Based on Religious Democracy

Multicultural societies have special conditions that do not reply to any political system. Therefore, a special structure of democracy should be designed to bring security and progress to these societies. The common version of religious democracy based on a majority vote is unsuitable for multicultural societies. Therefore, the mentioned societies need a special version of religious democracy that can provide justice and security in these societies. The question raised here is what political structure is suitable for multicultural societies? Using descriptive and prescriptive methods and based on the main principles and components of religious democracy such as social justice, political pluralism, popular acceptance, sovereignty of religious laws, and its supervision over power, the current research proposes a special structure in four territorials, legislative, administrative and judicial domains for these societies. The results of the research show that the federal system, with its two-pillar administrative structure composed of the president elected by the people and the prime minister elected by the parliament and the proportional distribution of power and benefits at different levels, along with a unicameral structure based on a proportional electoral system in which religious laws prevail, along with a religious supervisory body on the legislative process and judicial structure based on judicial independence in personal status, the use of independent courts, strengthening human rights institutions and the use of accepted laws of human rights and Islamic human rights is the most appropriate structure in multicultural societies.

Can Faith be the Key to Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Development in Nigeria?

Nigeria confronts a dual challenge: pressing environmental degradation and the urgent need for sustainable development. This research explores the underutilized potential of religious institutions, a powerful force in Nigerian society, to champion environmental responsibility. Utilizing Social Ecology theory, the study examines the current engagement of religious bodies through interviews and a targeted survey of 390 participants. The findings reveal a critical need for collaboration between religious institutions, government, and civil society. Overcoming identified barriers is essential for progress. A significant portion (72%) of respondents highlighted a lack of environmental awareness within their communities, while nearly half (46.5%) cited insufficient government support and funding as roadblocks. This study proposes a novel approach: leveraging the moral authority and extensive community networks of religious institutions. The research underscores that there is need for urgent unified action. The paper argues that by addressing environmental challenges through collaborative efforts, religious institutions, government, and civil society can secure a sustainable future for all Nigerians. This study offers a beacon of hope, suggesting that faith-based solutions can be a powerful force for positive environmental change in Nigeria and even to third world nations that are grappling with this challenging phenomenon.

Prevalence of Methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) use in south east Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundMethamphetamine (MA) (Mkpurummiri) is seen as the most common, accessible and new drug of use/abuse in south east Nigeria. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the dire consequences of this drug to the users, there is lack of empirical research to determine its prevalence in this area where use is assumed to be common. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MA use, characteristics of the users and the control measures.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was conducted from May through November 2023 among adolescents/adults at the age bracket of 15-64 years in the five states of south east, Nigeria. Three hundred and seventy-one (371) respondents were recruited using purposive/convenience sampling methods. A semi structured questionnaire was the instrument used. Data were analyzed using percentage, bivariate and multivariate logistics regression statistics. The Prevalence of MA was determined using percentages whereas the factors that are associated with MA use were expressed using multivariate logistics regression statistics AORs and 95%CIs. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of Methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) was (21.8%). The most common reason for MA use was depression (86.5%), the most common route of administration was inhalation (64.9%). The most common characteristic of MA (Mkpurummiri) user was aggressive/violent behaviour (94.1%).The control measures were self-control (92.2%), parental monitoring (85.7%), drug education (83.1%) and legal control (80.8%). The multivariate logistics regression statistics AOR shows that off-campus were 3 times (AOR = 0.298; CI = 0.12–0.73 P = 0.008), family house 4 times (AOR = 0.241; CI = 0.09–0.65; P = 0.005 ≤0.05\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\le 0.05$$\\end{document}) less likely than on-campus to predict MA use. Recently married were 3.25 times (aOR = 3.25; CI = 1.47–7.18), divorced 3.45 times (aOR = 3.45; CI = 1.23–9.58), polygamy 2.3 times (aOR = 2.3; CI = 1.08–4.90; P = 0.031 ≤0.05\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\le 0.05$$\\end{document}), tradition 4.44 times (aOR = 4.44; CI = 1.77–11.15; P = 0.001 ≤0.05)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\le 0.05)$$\\end{document}, more likely than others to use MA.ConclusionsMA use prevalence was relatively high, and marital status, living arrangements, family type and religion were the predictors. These findings underscore the need for concerted effort among the relevant government agencies, community stakeholders, families, religious bodies and school authorities to designing MA use policy/laws with special focus on adopting the punitive measure used in checking cocaine users. This may help to arrest and prosecute the manufacturers, distributors and users of MA.

Defining ‘religious body’ under Irish marriage law

ABSTRACT Census 2022 shows an ever more diverse religious landscape in the Republic of Ireland. Recent marriage data published by the Central Statistics Office further speaks to the dramatic socio-religious shifts which have taken place in the jurisdiction, particularly over the past 20 years. Yet, although there has been a rapid proliferation of legislatively recognised religious bodies under Irish marriage law, specifically the Civil Registration Act 2004 (as amended), this development appears to have largely gone unnoticed, attracting little (if any) academic attention. This article therefore seeks to place the spotlight on how the definition of ‘religious body’ pursuant to the 2004 Act (as amended) has been interpreted by the Registrar General and highlights how the legislative machinery facilitating the legal recognition of such bodies is being utilised in practice as a result. It then considers the correctness of the Registrar General’s liberal understanding of the term ‘worship’ before turning to explore whether this interpretation is likely to have any broader implications for the understanding of ‘religion’ or ‘religious body’ in other legislative or constitutional contexts.

Livelihood resilience among street hawkers during Covid-19 lockdown in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, Ghana

PurposeThe study assesses the livelihood resilience strategies among street hawkers during COVID-19 lockdown in the Awutu Senya East Municipality in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing the explanatory case study approach, 12 participants (hawkers) were sampled with the aid of the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. An interview guide was used to collect data.FindingsThe study found that street hawking business, prior to the COVID-19 lockdown was a lucrative venture. The COVID-19 lockdown however had mental, psychological and economic effects on the street hawkers in ASEM causing stress, anxiety. loneliness, loss of business capital, and loss of jobs. Hawkers nevertheless demonstrated resilience in their psychological well-being by adopting strategies such as patronizing digital/social media platforms for funny content and entertainment. Hawkers also showed economic resilience through selling products on digital/social media platforms, relied on personal savings, received social support from family members and religious bodies. Government policies and interventions in the form of free water and electricity played a crucial role in building resilience of street hawkers during the COVID-19 lockdown.Practical implicationsThe study shows that hawking is a vital avenue for entrepreneurial engagement reducing barriers to entry in formal trading, hence should be considered as key economic venture in the country’s economy. Again, the findings of the study deepen the understanding of stakeholders on the effects of COVID-19 on the psychological and economic life of street hawkers and offers insights into managing both psychosocial and financial stress during crises, emphasizing the potential benefits of resilient strategies for more effective crisis management. The study findings provide insights for government and policymakers on the experiences and coping mechanisms of the vulnerable groups and communities, particularly hawkers during the pandemic.Originality/valueThe study qualitatively assesses the psychological and economic effects of the COVID-19 lockdown and the livelihood resilience strategies employed by street hawkers during the COVID-19 lockdown in ASEM, Ghana.

Challenges and Coping Strategies of Widows in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State

Widowhood is embedded with a lot of challenges for women which requires strategies to cope with it. This study investigated the challenges and coping strategies of widows in the Ilorin metropolis. The population for this study consisted of selected widows in Ilorin, Kwara state. The sample consisted of fifty widows randomly selected. The instrument that was used for this study is a researcher-designed questionnaire tagged “Widow Practices Questionnaire (WPQ). In testing the hypotheses, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to test the hypotheses generated for the study at a 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the widows experience challenges such as endures psychosocial problems after their partner’s demise, endures problems of poor governmental support, experience negative pressure from the family of the demise among others. The coping strategies employed by widows are; widows never depend on the family’s provision to survive since their partner’s demise, embrace grants from religious bodies and government for survival, and cope with gifts and luxuries provided by non-governmental groups for survival among others. Also, there were significant differences in the challenges experienced and coping strategies employed by widows in the Ilorin metropolis based on age and job type; while there were no significant differences in the challenges experienced and coping strategies employed by widows based level of education. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that widows should be encouraged and supported by the government and religious bodies. Government and relevant stakeholders should endeavor to create measures and legislation that help protect the widows and preserve their rights as well as access to several benefits and the widows should be encouraged to meet counselors to disclose their problems, so that their challenges can be expertly addressed.

Effect of Cybercrime on the Academic Performance of Students of Tertiary Institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria

The contribution of internet to the development of the nation has been marred by cybercrime activities. Cybercrime is emerging as a very concrete threat, not only in Nigeria but to the entire world. The high level of insecurity on the internet is becoming worrisome so much in the sense that transactions on the internet have become a thing of doubt. This research intends to examine the effect cybercrime has on the academic performance of students of tertiary institutions in Enugu State Nigeria. Survey research method was used in which questionnaire was distributed to various respondents in the execution of the study. The population of the study was 8,034, while the sample size was 381using Taro Yamani statistical formular. Chi-square and simple percentages was used in analyzing data. The study revealed that cybercrime has significant negative effect on study habit, learning outcome and to a large extent was engineered by such factors as uncertainty, and bad leadership. The recommendations suggeststo include into the curriculum of instructions cybercrime asgeneral course to be taught in tertiary institutions. Parents, religious bodies and traditional institutions should aggressively orientate youth on the menace of cybercrime. Creating awareness that hard-work brings prosperity. Meanwhile employment opportunities, empowerment and relief fund for both undergraduates and graduates should also be factored by the Government. Police and othersecurity agencies should be made to undertake courses on cybercrime detection using technology as opposed to the current stop andsearch which is intruding into personal privacy and embarrassing the innocent citizen.

Resisting change: Explaining education policy reforms in Ghana

AbstractThis article examines the complexities surrounding the implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) within Ghana's basic education system, exploring the intersection of religious, cultural, and political factors. Introducing CSE has sparked significant public discourse and resistance in Ghana, where religious and cultural beliefs are deeply ingrained and often institutionalized in politics. The study utilizes punctuated equilibrium theory to understand the sustained opposition to CSE policy changes. It examines the historical progression of Ghana's educational reforms, highlighting the struggle to maintain cultural and religious values while promoting human rights and gender equality. The contribution of this study is its exploration of the political institutionalization of religion in Ghana, investigating the combined impact of religious bodies, political entities, and civil organizations in shaping public opinion on education policy reform. It further underscores the intricate task of navigating socio‐cultural beliefs and human rights in policy‐making processes.Related ArticlesBingham, Natasha. 2016. “Fighting for Our Cause: The Impact of Women's NGOs on Gender Policy Adoption in Four Former Soviet Republics.” Politics &amp; Policy 44(2): 294–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12155.Holst, Cathrine, and Mari Teigen. 2024. “The ‘Boy Problem’ in Public Policy.” Politics &amp; Policy 52(1): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12570.Nchofoung, Tii, Simplice Asongu, Vanessa Tchamyou, and Ofeh Edoh. 2022. “Gender, Political Inclusion, and Democracy in Africa: Some Empirical Evidence.” Politics &amp; Policy 51(1): 137–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12505.

Factors Affecting Teaching and Learning of Religious and Moral Education (RME) in Ghanaian Junior High Schools: A Case Study of C. B. Mensah SDA Junior High School

Religious and Moral Education (RME) has caught the attention and interest of Ghanaians from the past to our contemporary times. The subject seeks to enforce knowledge and values capable of making individuals responsible and resourceful members of society. In current times characterized by moral decadence, the need for religious and moral education has become a necessity. To realize the communal hope of making RME a lucrative and highly patronized course or subject in the education system in Ghana, it is necessary to look at the factors that affect the teaching and learning of RME in the country. This paper therefore sought to find out the significant factors that affect the teaching and learning of RME and the means to address such issues. A mixed approach was adopted in gathering the data from the C. B. Mensah Adventist Junior High School in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study revealed that the RME curriculum is facing some difficulties in Ghana. These include scarcity of textbooks and shortage of professional teachers in the subject area. The study recommended that the government, and other stakeholders involved in or patronizing education, should collaborate in addressing the challenges and implement sustainable measures for enhancing the teaching and learning of RME in Ghana. The study is relevant for teachers and learners alike because it contributes to knowledge development by serving as secondary material for future research and policymaking. It also serves as insight for the government, parents, teachers, religious bodies, educationists, counselors and other stakeholders in the educational sector. Keywords: Education, Religious and Moral Education, Religion, Morality, Teaching, Learning

FORGIVENESS AND SELF-CONTROL AS PREDICTORS OF MARITAL SATISFACTION IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN ANAMBRA STATE

This study examined forgiveness and self-control as predictors of marital satisfaction in colleges of Education in Anambra State. Specifically, the study determined if forgiveness and self-control can predict marital satisfaction among married academic staff of Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze. Two research questions guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research. The population of the study comprised of nine hundred married academic staff of the college. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample three hundred (300) respondents. The questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection and it was validated by three experts in Home Economics and measurement and evaluation. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Crombach Alpha which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.87. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviations. The results of the study revealed that that self-control predicted marital satisfaction among academic staff in Federal College Education (Technical), Umunze Orumba South L.G.A. Anambra State. It is however recommended that all helping professionals such as guidance and counseling unit of the College, staff, clinical psychologists, religious bodies, government and non-governmental organizations, social personnel should use appropriate instruments to identify factors that predict marital satisfaction among couples and also endeavor to counsel couples adequately.

Implementing a Digital Profiling System for Enhanced Support and Integration of Muslim Converts in Malaysia

This article explores the strategic implementation of a digital profiling system to enhance the support and integration of Muslim converts in Malaysia. Utilizing qualitative research methods and an extensive literature review, the study emphasizes the transformative potential of the e-profiling system in optimizing data management for this specific demographic. Highlighting its significance in the Malaysian context, the research advocates for the adoption of e-profiling systems to offer tailored guidance and support, fostering increased resilience, stronger faith, a deeper understanding of Islam, and steadfast adherence to Islamic values. Exclusively focused on Malaysia, this study serves as a comprehensive guideline for improving the overall management of Muslim converts. The article underscores the importance of utilizing an e-profiling system to systematically store essential data about new converts, facilitating organized support from religious bodies. The innovative approach introduced in this research addresses critical aspects, including the formal procedure, religious education, community support, continuous monitoring, and social integration. In conclusion, this article contributes to the discourse on improving the support and integration of Muslim converts in Malaysia through the strategic implementation of an advanced technological solution – the e-profiling system.

Underage girls' pregnancy during schooling in Niger: Socio-demographic aspect, causes, effect and control. A prospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, the socio-demographic aspect, the consequences on the schooling of girls and the control measures of underage pregnancy in schooling in Niger. This was a prospective cohort study over a 12-month period. The study concerned pregnant and parturient girls who were minors and in the process of attending school in the city of Niamey in the Republic of Niger. The socio-demographic, obstetric and school data of 184 underage girls admitted to the Issaka Gazobi Maternity Hospital in Niamey during the study period were collected and analysed. At the same time, we conducted interviews in 30 schools and educational inspection services in the city of Niamey, in order to gather qualitative data on the phenomenon of pregnancy and childbirth among minors in schools. The frequency of childbirth among under-age students was 3.06% in our maternity. The average age was 15.7 years. Nine out of 10 minors (90.7%) had become mothers by the end of the study. School drop-out rates were high (53.8%). According to our interviews with school leaders, the factors at the root of pregnancy in Niamey schools are socio-cultural and religious (factors linked to the vulnerability of young girls, the lack of sex education within families and schools, and peer pressure, cultural and religious considerations which encourages early marriage and pregnancy, and the low contraceptive prevalence rate in Niger). Pregnancy in the school environment is common in Niger and has repercussions on the normal progress of schooling. This study recommended adequate parental implication, eradication of street hawking and inculcation of moral values through religious bodies as ways of reducing underage girls' pregnancy in schooling in Niger.

Association Between Religious Coping and Body Imagein Patients With Chronic Kidney Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis

Association Between Religious Coping and Body Imagein Patients With Chronic Kidney Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis

Befriending the body through clothes: the role of clothing in secular and religious women's body appreciation.

Women invest in their appearance through clothes, and the way they view their bodies translates into how they choose to dress. Nonetheless, body image research often overlooks the role of clothing in fostering body appreciation. This study examined the impact of a psychoeducational feministic course on the sociology and psychology of attire, on students' clothing functions and body appreciation. The participants were 114 female MA students (47 secular, 67 religious) between the ages of 24 and 64 who completed the Body Appreciation Scale and Function of Clothing scale at the beginning and end of the course. The results support the contribution of the course to changes in participants' clothing functions and improvement in their body appreciation F(1,96) = 32.33, p < 0.001, partial Eta squared = 0.25. Surprisingly, religiousness had no impact on the results. This research contributes to the field of positive body image by presenting the potential role of clothing in fostering body appreciation among women. It demonstrates the benefits of investing in clothing that are less driven by external standards and more by the expression of valued aspects of the self.

Bindepinde [stout rope] theology and religio-political dialogue in Zimbabwe

The article is motivated by a growing interest to solve local problems by infusing indigenous knowledge systems. It discusses the strained interface between religious and political actors using a local brand of theology, termed bindepinde [stout rope] theology. This theology is based on a local fable told to children, on how a Hare abused Hippopotamus and Elephant using a tethering rope. The folk story is taken as a metaphor in which Hare represents the sly politician abusing the rope to control Hippopotamus and Elephant, representing religious actors. Though Zimbabwe has a special place in this research, the research has shown that politicians act as third forces the world over. Religious entities often act as fodder for the progress of political demagogues, whose egos are legitimised by competing religious ideologies. Many religious bodies inadvertently enable politicians, thinking that they are fulfilling their own mandates. The article proposes negotiated versions of liberation theology and synodality as possible ways of overcoming inadvertent scaffolding of bindepinde theology. It concludes that while it may be difficult to tame the politician, it may be worthwhile to minimise the damage by making him focus more on the common good.Contribution: This article contributes bindepinde brand of theology as an indigenous theory of knowledge in the area of religio-political dialogue. The bindepinde theology has proved applicable to various contexts globally, where it thrives on dualism. Its mitigation lies in Kairos theology.

Religious Practices and Its Impacts on a Sustainable Urban Environment in Nigeria: The Way Forward

A sustainable and serene environment is a prerequisite and a driver of human productivity in space and time. The quality of a human environment, however, is under threat always partly as a result of various human cultural activities such as festivities and religious practices. This work specifically investigated various ways religious activities have impacted the urban environment in two cities in the southwestern part of Nigeria together as a case study. Data for the work were generated through the administration of 250 copies of the structured questionnaire, out of which 232 were completed and retrieved. The data were subjected to data adequacy tests (i.e., Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s test of sphericity (BTS)). The test showed 67.6% at a significance level of p &lt; 0.001 The results showed that 52.6% were of secondary school level, 52.2 were of Christian faith, and 61.6% were also of the male gender who were mostly in the age category of 46 to 65 years. The factor analysis identified 11 out of 23 variables as significant ones which explained 72.052% of the ways religious activities have negatively impacted the urban environment. Of the 11 variables, the first six alone offered 45.248%, namely, (i) contribution to climate change, (ii) night worships, (iii) noise pollution caused, (iv) use of the public address system, (v) quest for expansion, and (vi) religious uses of natural resources, especially water. In view of this, it is recommended that efforts should be made to check the extracted variables for a sustainable serene environment. However, there is a need to put in place relevant legislation/policies to control the activities of various religious bodies and mechanisms to enlighten religious practitioners on practices that will not jeopardize a serene urban environment. Further studies in other places to affirm or otherwise the findings here are suggested.

Religious Commitment and Body Appreciation: Exploring the Mediating Role of Positive Orientation and Gratitude in a Polish Sample

AbstractAlthough religiosity has been recognized as a predictor of health and well‐being, links between religiosity and body image have not been extensively examined. The objective of our study was to explore possible pathways through which religious commitment might be associated with body appreciation in a Polish sample. Participants (N = 262) completed measures of religious commitment, positive orientation, gratitude, and body appreciation. Results demonstrated that religious commitment was positively related to body appreciation. Moreover, both positive orientation and gratitude mediated this relationship. A higher level of religious commitment was associated with a higher level of positive orientation and gratitude that, in turn, was related to a greater body appreciation. We concluded that religious commitment may be related to people's loving and respectful relationship with their bodies.

How organisations regulate Muslim body practices: a comparison of schools, hospitals, and swimming pools

In a comparison of three human service organisations in which the human body plays a key role, we examine how organisations regulate religious body practices. We concentrate on Muslim norms of dressing and undressing as a potential focal point of cultural and religious diversity. Inspired by Ray’s (2019) idea of racialized organizations, we assume that state-run organizations in Germany are characterized by a strong commitment to religious tolerance and non-discrimination but also marked by anti-Muslim sentiment prevalent among the German population. Our study looks for mechanism that explain how Human Service Organizations accommodate Muslim body practices. It draws on qualitative empirical data collected in state-run hospitals, schools and swimming pools in Germany. Our analyses show that the organizations draw on formal and informal rules at the organizational level to accommodate Islam. We identify five general organizational mechanisms that may hinder Muslim accommodation in human service organizations. In particular, we see a risk of decoupling between the expectation of religious tolerance and processes that lead to informal discrimination, driven mainly by the difficulty of controlling group dynamics among users.

Impact of childhood and adolescence cancer on family caregivers: a qualitative analysis of strains, resources and coping behaviours

BackgroundThe physical demands of caring for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, over a lengthy period, exert significant strain on the health and well-being of family caregivers. The capacity of family caregivers to surmount and cope with the various strains they experience due to the diagnosis and treatment trajectory is essential to the quality of life of the child and adolescent who has been diagnosed with cancer. However, the experiences of family caregivers have been under-explored. This study explored the strains, resources, and coping strategies of family caregivers of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in Ghana.MethodsGuided by a descriptive phenomenological design, 20 semi-structured interviews with family caregivers were conducted at a tertiary health facility that provides paediatric oncology services. The study was conducted between June and October 2022. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated and coded using NVivo software. An inductive thematic analysis approach using Vaismoradi et al.’s thematic analysis framework was followed in analysing the data.ResultsThe study revealed that family caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer experienced three main strains: somatic strains (poor sleep quality, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss), economic strains (financial burden and loss of economic livelihood), and psychosocial strains (isolation from social activities and network, frustration and helplessness, and balancing multiple family needs). The following themes emerged as coping resources: family cohesiveness, community support, and support from health care providers. Coping strategies that emerged included trusting in God and being self-motivated.ConclusionThe study concludes that family caregivers experience somatic, economic, and psychosocial strains. However, they can leverage available resources (family cohesiveness, community support, and support from healthcare providers) to cope with these strains. There is a need to educate and sensitize family caregivers about the potential strains that they are likely to experience prior to the assumption of care roles. Also, the formal inclusion of non-governmental organizations and religious bodies will ensure that family caregivers receive sufficient community support to cope with the strains of caregiving.

The Impact of Urban Planning on Places of Worship in Windhoek Namibia

Urban planning impacts freedom of religion through planning regulations applied by local municipalities in establishing places of worship in urban areas. However, incorporating religion in urban planning in most countries has remained insignificant, regardless of the new challenges of increasing religious diversity in most cities. This paper examines the role of urban planning policies in Namibia in establishing places of worship in Windhoek and its impact on freedom of religion in the City. Data was collected by reviewing and exploring journal papers, government documents, books, and newspaper articles. Neoliberal theory was employed to guide the study. The research established that the City of Windhoek, through planning policies, has a direct impact on places of worship, and to facilitate a sustainable process, the City put a moratorium on establishing new houses of worship to reduce the number of people intending to create such facilities. Applications for even places of worship by religious bodies, including churches, are treated the same as other applications for related institutions, even though the churches and other religious facilities have different ways of worshipping. In Namibia, the government and municipal urban planning departments benefit all religious organizations equitably. The study's findings contribute to the scientific discussions on places of worship and town planning policies in developing countries. The findings will benefit all stakeholders involved in developing places of worship, such as policymakers, academics, and researchers. The study is limited to Windhoek, and further studies should incorporate both urban and rural areas.