-
A Philosophical Examination Of The Nigerian Religious Experience In The Light Of Andre Godin’s Ideas
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
Page 2 of 2
-
-
-
1.1 Statement Of The Problem
The word “experience†is
very diversified. Often times we hear people talk about their religious
experiences. And as each day passes we encounter people with one or more
experiences, which can qualify to be called religious.
From the sharing in the public transports, market places, to the
activities at the revival and crusade grounds, people have stories to
tell about their experiences. Most times, these issues are made more
confusing and complicated by the outward signs and changes (both
physical and psychological) the persons exhibit. A “rough†man who had
been a drunkard and a smoker now appears more sober and responsible. A
girl who had been reckless and wayward suddenly becomes more modest and
“religiousâ€.
Consequently, one begins to wonder what these
changes are all about. The questions now would be, “what brought about
these changes?†what are they for? What motivated these people or what
still motivates them?
It may be a motivation born out of a
desire to see a wish fulfilled (functional religion), or a longing to
meet, to encounter the otherness of God (experience of God). Then what
could be said of the Nigerian Christian community with regards to this?
1.2 Purpose Of The Study
The fact of the existence of religion is so obvious that any rational
being can hardly ignore it. Its effects in the society are so
conspicuous that it becomes odd and irrational to question its pervading
presence. History is replete with the impact of religion in the life of
people and the society at large. This fact is reiterated by Omoregbe
when he affirmed that, “there is no other phenomenon which moulds and
controls man’s life as much as religion does.â€[2] It has both
sociological and psychological implications such that religious belief
can have such a firm grip on people’s life as to impart a permanent
change on them.
This is what Godin took up and explored. In
his book The Dynamics Of Religious Experience, he tried to bring out
clearly, from a psychological point of view, the motive behind those
impacts and changes, which religion could have on people’s lives.
The
concern of this study is to examine the dynamics of religious
experience as posited by Andre Godin. Then we take a look at the nature
of the Nigerian Christian religious experience so as to see how it can
enhance the worship of God by Christians in Nigeria.
1.3 Scope Of The Study
Having said already that the concern of this essay is an examination of
the Nigerian religious experience in relation to Andre Godin’s ideas on
religiousExperience, it is pertinent, therefore, that we limit
ourselves to Andre Godin’s view of religious experience and some other
related, relevant themes. Other authors will be introduced when
necessary.
Method
The first and major method we shall adopt in
this work is expository. In the second chapter, we shall use it to
explore Godin’s view on religious experience. This will help in a
comprehensive understanding of his argument. Then again, we shall as
well employ it in the third chapter to view the dynamics and nature of
the Nigerian Christian religious experience.
Secondly, we shall adopt
the method of critical analysis. This we shall use in the last chapter
to make a philosophical evaluation and justification of the ideas
presented in the course of the work.
[1] A. Godin; Psychologie des
experiences religieuses: la desir et la realite, Eng. Trans. The
psychological Dynamics of Religious Experience by M. Turton,
(Birmingham, Alabama: Religious Education Press, 1985), p.10.
[2] J. Omoregbe; A Philosophical Look at Religion, (Lagos: Joja Educational Books and Research, 1993), p. xii.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
Page 2 of 2
-
