Part I
The argument as to whether religion is necessary in developing countries is an umbrella to the accusation that religion is the cause of under-development in developing countries. Though this debate has been alive for some time now, I must say with characteristic candour that the debate is spacious, because no matter the position one takes ( For or Against), it will be mandatory to parade through the 12 main types of religion and the 152 developing countries for a complacent response.
Striving for complacency will warrant a superfluous material. To avoid this bogusity, I will limit my purview to the African continent which constitutes in its entirety developing countries.
Limiting it to Africa will mean limiting it to the two main religions applied in Africa that is; Christianity and Islam. Again, it will be necessary to limit the argument because majority of the fingers pointing at religion to be the cause for under-development in Africa focus on Christianity. Thus Christianity in this debate will represent the other religions. Definitely, we can confidently rephrase the question to be; Is Christianity Necessary in Developing Countries?
As earlier mentioned, the argument has been a heated one as religious fanatics have taken the position “For” while Atheists have settled “Against”. Let’s get started with the argument “For”.
Reduction of killings
Primarily, Christianity is necessary in Africa for the transformation of minds. It is unarguable that Africans were termed barbaric due to their unnecessary attacks and killings of another through primitive and supernatural means. The Advent of Christianity that preaches about a superior being who punishes unjust acts meted on fellow beings have grossly reduced the killings that existed in Africa such as sacrifices to unknown gods. The preachings have softened the hearts of many and have reawakened their consciences. Thanks to Christianity, one can now live without fear that he might one day be chosen as a sacrifice for the gods.
Introduction of supernatural powers
Secondly, Christianity introduced in Africa came with the advantage of supernatural power demonstration. We all know that Africa was known to be the white man’s grave yard due to the existence of different types of illnesses like malaria caused by mosquitoes which has harvested the lives of many. The inability to cure everyone due to the inefficiency or limited supply of both the black and white man’s medicine was complimented by the miraculous power of God introduced by Christians who healed people without them taking drugs. This same God introduced by Christians has made the lame to walk, blind to see, dumb to speak and has severally raised the dead back to life. This power demonstrations did not exist before the emergence of Christianity. With all these examples, can you still say Christianity isn’t necessary?
Contribution to economic and socio-cultural development
To end this part, Christianity has contributed enormously in the economic and socio-cultural growth of Africa. Since the introduction of Christianity in Africa, Christians have been in the business of assisting governments for the growth of the economy and Socio-cultural sector through the construction of schools and hospitals with well trained personnel who attend to people with urgency and diligence which is contrary to what obtains in some government institutions. Due to this aspect, many prefer religious schools and hospitals. The economies of states have also been boosted as religious institutions like churches, provide capital to their youths for business and also create jobs through the recruitment of personnel in their schools and hospitals.
If the above points are evident and helpful then one can safely say that Christianity (Religion) is necessary in developing countries.
Part II -Arguments Against
The argument against Christianity (Religion) being necessary in developing countries has been championed by mostly atheists who are exercising maximum momentum to eradicate the existence of Christianity in developing countries. Let’s take a look at these arguments:
Laziness
Atheists have lampooned on Christianity for breeding laziness among the youths in Africa through their preaching that “Prayer is not only the key but the master key to success”. Due to this preaching, some of the gullible followers spend much time praying than working, as it is very common to hear religious fanatics take 10-40 days of work time for fasting and prayer. During this period, they abandon their businesses and jobs all in the name of seeking for a God that does not exist. The recurrent nature of this fasting and prayer events has made some youths to be lazy as they spend their whole day in church reading and praising their God while youths in developed countries are busy working.
The effects of this religious attitude will yield nothing but an economic brigandage. Abandoning business arenas for a week or month will cause potential buyers or investors who are pillars of economic growth to absquatulate. This religious demeanor discourages development as many construction works are cancelled or delayed because the youths who are to work are busy praying in churches. Following this point, Atheists think that Christianity is not necessary in developing countries.
Encourages poverty
Atheists hold that Christianity encourages Poverty through their preaching that “Everything is Vanity”. With regards to this preaching, some religious youths do not see any need for development, riches and wealth since they have been labeled as vanity by some spiritual leaders who again encourage them to sell their properties and bring to them. Some are even asked to resign from their jobs and focus on church activities which can take them to heaven. More often than not, some of these spiritual leaders define the types of businesses and jobs their Christians ought to perform. This action of discouraging youths from becoming rich sometimes makes them limited in their money-making activities. This has a grievous consequence on the economy which depends on many business activities and jobs to keep it booming. This preaching also hinders development through constructions as many religious followers shun from building modern houses because they consider it as vanity. All these points have pushed Atheists to say that religion is not necessary in developing countries.
To synthesize this argy-bargy, it is important to say that religion can be necessary if its leaders consider the need for development before preaching, because Christianity is not bad but the manner of transmission seems crookery. I think here that a lot of scrutiny has to be done in order to decide on who becomes a religious leader because there are many junkies in the name of spiritual leaders who are hiding behind the holiness of Christianity for their personal gain.
As a conclusion, if Christianity is practiced with scrutiny, then it is necessary but if not, then it is not necessary in developing countries!
Marks Abaiko is the Secretary General of the Association of New Generation Authors -ANGA