Omojola, Oladokun (2017) Some Yoruba Belief Systems as Antithesis Of Science and Technology. In: The 4th Idowu Sobowale Conference on Media, Integration, Peace-building and Intercultural Dialogue in Africa, October 18 & 19, 2017, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. (In Press)
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Abstract
It is a usual practice to articulate the challenges of human development in Nigeria within the folder of socio-political, economic and cultural inadequacies. In the cultural context, ethnicity, inhuman practices like female circumcision, voodoo, gender discrimination among others, have been advanced as reasons responsible for the low level of development in Nigeria. Much of these claims are coming from monotheistic religions, especially Christianity, which in many respects, is equated with scientific and technological advancement by its adherents. Great inventors and discoverers such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Faraday, Samuel Morse, Albert Boyle, Johann Kepler among many others are frequently mentioned as devout Christians who impacted people’s lives immensely. This paper explores the cultural perspective further. It zeroes in on deities in the Yoruba section of Nigeria to find out if these gods, their oracles and priests perform communication functions that are at variance with the elements of contemporary development especially in the areas of science and technology. Study has shown that while these gods and oracles have been said to communicate ways to overcome diseases, spells, and generally bring about wholeness, there is no cause to suggest that they offer any roadmap that can make Nigeria develop scientifically or technologically. The claim that this should not be blamed on the gods notwithstanding. This paper concludes from the findings that when you worship a deity that does not offer any appreciable solution to the modern development needs, looking elsewhere may be an idea worth considering.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Dr. O. Omojola |
| Date Deposited: | 17 May 2018 12:10 |
| Last Modified: | 17 May 2018 12:10 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/10812 |
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