The ‘killer’ side of religion in Nigeria-Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka, a professor and noble laureate has lamented the rate at which ‘religion’ is killing many in Nigeria.

Soyinka told participants at a book launch of Prof Olufemi Vaughan in Abuja Thursday that study of religion, not religious studies should be canvassed in our schools.

His words: “If we do not tame religion in Nigeria, religion will kill us. “Many Nigerians have paid the ultimate price because of religion and religion is now embedded in our society.

“The innocent ones are the ones who often pay the ultimate price in religious crisis. Even religious leaders cannot denounce the murdering acts of religion.

“Religion now induces trauma and anxiety instead of solace that it claims to give. Religion is the ironic product of human inadequacy.

“There is a monster always waiting to pounce on innocent Nigerians under the name of religion,” he added.

Soyinka said this in the heat of the recent killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna, an incident which has continued to fuel mutual mistrust among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.