THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN BUILDING A MORALLY-CONSCIOUS SOCIETY

Abstract

In the history of mankind, religion has played a vital role in shaping morally-conscious societies. Religion and Morality are inseparable, they complement each other in building a better society and if religion performs its work well, the world would be a better place. Moral consciousness on the other hand cannot properly stand without religious influence. Some people understood religion to mean morality, however, both work differently but have related and sometimes similar goal. Looking at our society today, one can deduce that the moral values of majority of the people are declining. Some people are abandoning the moral values they upheld before as a result of the influences from western cultures.   This exposure will deal to some extent on the causes of moral decay in the society paying much attention on how laxity on religion principle has caused moral decay; those responsible for moral decay in the society, investigate if moral values are still relevant in the modern society and the roles religion must play to build the moral-consciousness. Since there are many religions in the world like Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Islam and Christianity among others, this research would focus mainly on Christian religion perspective of morality. To make an effective research of this study, the researcher made use of research questions and many people were of the opinion that the leaders of the Christian groups have failed the masses, suggestions on the role they must play to restore back moral-consciousness was spelt out and recommendation were made.