Importance of interfaith dialogue with humanists in Nigeria

Call it an interfaith dialogue with humanists or a humanist dialogue with people of faith. An initiative to promote understanding and acceptance among people of religious and non-religious traditions in Nigeria is imminent. Dialogue is essential to foster tolerant pluralism and peace between people of different faiths and philosophies. Dialogue does not exclude debate or criticism of other points of view or beliefs. Criticism and cooperation go and can go hand in hand. Debate and dialogue are two sides of the same coin for active, productive and progressive existence. Dialogue is necessary to reduce tensions, prejudices and differences. This form of conversation facilitates positive interaction and exchange, acceptance, trust and harmonious coexistence of people. To achieve peace and cooperation between people of faith and none in Nigeria, it is imperative to promote and encourage dialogue. Religious and non-religious people should meet and interact in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. It is necessary to stress that at the basis of the various theistic, non-theistic, religious, non-religious and irreligious views, positions and doctrines are our common humanity and other shared values.

Incidentally, the interfaith dialogue project in Nigeria mainly targeted people who have a “faith”. The project created the impression that profession of faith or belief in a god or in God is a necessary condition to participate in this conversation. The events of interfaith dialogue have excluded non-religious and non-theists, including all who identify as humanists, atheists, agnostics or free thinkers. The project has been anything but open and inclusive of non-religious demographics and their concerns. The exclusion of humanists and atheists has undermined relations between people of faith and non-belief in the country. Exclusion continued to reinforce anti-atheist prejudices and prejudices, religious-us versus non-religious, pious versus ungodly, faithful versus infidel dichotomies that have fueled hatred, prejudice and mistrust over the years.

As recent events have shown, irreligious people exist in Nigeria. Atheists are found in different parts of the country. People without religion are affected by what religious people do, and vice versa. The activities of religious and non-religious people are said to have fueled tensions and intolerance among people of religious and non-religious traditions. And these underlying tensions and differences deserve a forum where they could be addressed.

Thus, the exclusion of non-religious people in “interreligious” dialogue has been a serious oversight and measures must be taken to fill this gap and rectify this omission. The inclusion of non-religious people in the interfaith project is necessary to promote understanding, a tolerant life and the peaceful coexistence of other religious and non-religious. Interfaith dialogue should aim to be more inclusive and to add value to the relationship between humanists and believers.

The Humanist Association of Nigeria and the Interfaith Mediation Center are planning interfaith / belief dialogue that addresses this need. The proposed session, to be held in Abuja, will be the first in a series of dialogue meetings and cooperation programs aimed at identifying shared values ​​and common ground, and fostering trust, friendship and understanding. cooperation between believers and non-believers in the country.

By Léo Igwe