1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Christianity and Islam are otherwise known as Abrahamic religions because these two religions claimed that Abraham is their progenitor. Islam has been well established in the northern Nigeria around 16th century before the advent of colonialism. And also, Christianity gained its ground in the middle of 19th century through the activities of the British missionaries (Odetola, 2006). Since then, these two religions have gained ground in Nigeria with thousands of followers in all the states. For many decades now, Muslims and Christians have been continuously engaged in religious conflicts. There is no doubt that religious conflict is one of the factors militating against national integration in Nigeria. Bombing, kidnapping, killings and destruction of properties have become a very regular and frequent occurrence in Nigeria nowadays.
Marriage can be classified according to the numbers of person that are involved in the relationship. For instance where one man and a woman are involved, the marriage union is referred to as ‘monogamy’. Where more than two persons are involved, it is referred to as ‘polygamy’. Polyandry is when a woman has two or more than one man as husband and polygyny is where one man marries more than one wife. Polygamy is common among the tradition of Muslims communities, while monogamy is common among the Christian communities. However inter-religious marriage which is an institution socially recognized and approved as union between two individuals of opposite sex from different religions and culture, has played a positive role in influencing the national integration and development. And also, it has provided an avenue in which Muslims and Christians can collectively dwell together. Therefore, it is on this background that this research is conducted in order to discuss the influence of inter-religious marriage among Muslim and Christian on national integration in Nigeria with special focus on Efik Community.
Religion is a dominant social institution which affects every spheres of human life. It is inexorably interwoven with the family, polity, economy, education, and other social institutions of the society. In any society, religion determines people’s day to day life and we hardly find a phenomenon which is totally out of its domain. Marriage norms, food habits, dressing customs, festivities, politics, and people’s way of adaptation to their environment are some among others which are influenced by religion (Onedera, 2008). Marriage is a cultural universal. It exists in every society with varying forms. It is also the basic reason for the perpetuation and continuity of society and generation. Furthermore, marriage is “subject to the reciprocal influences of social, cultural, and political forces” (Onedera, 2008). These forces collectively constitute conduct norms. According to Sellin, conduct norms are guides that regulate the behaviors of people by delimiting boundary between right and wrong (Bernard et al., 2010).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration.
1.2 Statement of Problems
The issue of mixed marriage has remained problematic and an enduring discourse among the followers of different religious groups and even among religious leaders within the same religious group. The difference in perspective among those religious groups who claim themselves as Christians but hold differences on certain grounds can be taken as a typical example (Harakas et al., 1987).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Impact of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the consequences of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration
- To highlight the factors which gave rise to Inter-Religious Marriage family unit, to offer suggestion that will bring about lasting solution to this menace.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Is there any significant factor that gave rise to Inter-Religious Marriage family unit?
- Is there any relationship between Muslim and Christian marriage on National Integration?
- What are the consequences of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There are no significant consequences of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration
- H1: There are significant consequences of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration
1.7 Significance of Study
The knowledge of the study will be of immense benefit to the following: the married women because they are majority involved in this type of marriage the opinion of the Christian about the issue of polygamous family unit in Oredo local government area of Edo state the findings of the research will be carefully analyzed and interpreted through the data collected and solution will be provided to a given problems.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Impact of Inter-Religious Marriage among Muslim and Christian on National Integration using Oredo Local Government Area in Edo State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Education: Is the totality of processes through which an individual acquires knowledge, skills, attitude and abilities which enable him or her to positively contribute towards the meaningful development of the society.
Family: Family is seen as a subset of an individual total Kinsley network and a key unit of the household or domestic economy, a symbol of social cohesion and moral philosophy.
