RELIGION: A VEHICLE OF SOCIALIZATION

From his earliest beginnings, man has always believed that there is an existing greater power. He has always believed the existence of a supernatural being in and beyond his environment. It is in man’s relationship with the Supreme Being: in finding him and responding to him, that religion is born. Religion therefore can be defined as a system of beliefs and practices by which a group of people interpret and respond to that which they feel is sacred and usually supernatural as well. There are many religions in the world such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc. Religion is essentially a spiritual activity between man and the Supreme Being

            Socialization is the process by which beings that are biologically human become socially human. It is the process by which we acquire our social behavior patterns. It is an interactional process whereby a person’s behavior is modified to conform to expectations held by members of the group to which it belongs. In essence, socialization is all about interacting and mixing of people. The agents of socialization include the family, school, peers, religion and mass media.

            What is the interplay between religion and socialization? The interplay between religion and socialization is simply that religion is a vehicle of socialization.

            It must be noted that although religion is somewhat a personal experience, it is nonetheless a group phenomenon. Religion as a social phenomenon exhibits patterns of interaction and process of togetherness among people. It involves group of people who come together under one destiny. This coming together of two or more people involves established patterns of interaction as they all have one focus. It has also induced interaction and mixing of people which is no other thing but socialization.

            Another aspect of religion that brings about socialization is the religious celebrations and activities. Such activities like prayer meetings, councils, shows, workshops, seminars, crusades, etc. bring about interaction among peoples of different denomination of a particular religion and sometimes members of other religions. These activities thereby guarantee interaction and relationship among people as they attend these activities. Hence, strangers become friends and other social benefits gained. A typical example of a religious activity that fosters socialization is the ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church particularly the second Vatican Council, where Catholics and non-Catholics, Christian and non-Christian leaders were in attendance. Such Catholic activity brought peoples of different denomination within Christianity, and non-Christians into an interaction. All these are the socialization religion does.

            More so, a religious institution such as the place of worship in one way or the other brings about socialization. The churches and mosques for example which are built for a particular religious group do not prevent non-members from its use. That is why a Christian can attend any church and still will not be an alien there (provided he/she abides by the code of that place). But citeris paribus an Anglican can attend Pentecostal church. During such attendance, one will not underestimate the fact that friends can be made and new relationships started. Of course most friendship and relationship started from the church or mosque. Even a visit of another church under the same denomination (like from one parish to another) can guarantee socialiazation.

            More still, religious organizations and associations bring about interaction and mixing of people. A typical example of this is the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) which comprises all the Christian denominations in Nigeria. Such a body, no doubt is an agent of socialization. This is because it brings different Christian denominations into interaction and relationship among themselves. In their activities like conferences, they discuss issues together and together too, they go by their resolutions especially on non-doctrinal issues. In the Catholic Church, the Catholic men organization (CMO), Catholic women organization (CWO), the Catholic youths organization of Nigeria (CYON), etc. bring about socialization in the church through the interaction of members. As the administrative center expands so also does the ambience of socialization expands. From Parishes, to Dioceses, Province, Region and National level, etc. socialization increases as interaction takes place among them. Other association like the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) is equally a religious agent of socialization. Here all the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria come together and as they interact, they deliberate on issues that affect them and Nigeria at large. Such body unites all the Dioceses in Nigeria as their Bishops belong to it. This is equally religion bringing about socialization.

            Furthermore, religious investments are equally agents of socialization. Investments like schools, communication centers, companies, hospitals and other kinds of investments are agents of socialization. These investments no doubt involve people who carry out the work. And so the presence of these workers already presupposes interactions of different kinds and levels. Again people who derive the services of such investments are also evidence of socialization taking place. For instance, in a university owned by an Anglican church, the lecturers may include non-Anglicans and non- Christians. The non- teaching staff can also have members of different religion and denominations. As they all work together, they interact among themselves and views, ideas and opinions are shared. Again, a Christian school can equally have Muslim students in it. Here these students interact among themselves regardless of religious background. All these are socialization taking place and it is being guaranteed by religion.

            In conclusion, religion though a spiritual affair is also a social phenomenon. Being a social phenomenon, it is practiced by the people, with the people and in the midst of people. This no doubt will guarantee interaction among people where they teach and learn from one another one thing or the other. The truth is that religion cannot be isolated of the society and the society is made of mainly people. As interaction among people is inevitable, it follows that whatever they do will also be an avenue of interaction. That is why we can say that religion through different medium is really a vehicle of socialization. Although we do not underestimate the fact that most of these socializations formed may be geared towards the ugly, we wish and recommend that such socialization be made for the good, the better and the best. It is only on this platform can we say that the socialization Religion brings about is a good and proper one. Without this, the socialization becomes an aberration!

Ezennia Ekene and Nwanyanwu Chris