PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICALITIES OF INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS IN NIGERIA.

In a community with three dominant religions, dialogue, as used in the Nigerian context, excludes one of the three religions. The excluded always feel treated as less significant in the mutual and peaceful existence of the society. As a way of exerting its self-importance, the excluded group not only sabotages the efforts of the other two, it also creates more avenues for conflict and violence. As a lasting solution to the problem of religious violence and intolerance, without rejecting the word and process of dialogue, so rich in meaning and in the spirit of brotherhood, there is need for the interfaith relationship in Nigeria to advance from dialogue to trialogue. What is trialogue, one may ask, and why is it effective? The word “trialogue” was not in use until the late 1970s, when it not only appeared but also became popular. Since then trialogue has been defined as, “An interchange and discussion of ideas among three groups having different origins, philosophies, principles, and (doctrines).” This definition and concept clearly explains the model for interfaith relationships, which I am proposing for Nigeria. It means an interchange and discussion of ideas among Christians, Muslims, and followers of African Traditional Religion, who, no doubt, have different origins, beliefs, practices and doctrines. This type of interchange and discussion has clearly been absent in the religious atmosphere of Nigeria in general and the South-East in particular. One very striking element of trialogue is the participation by all three religions in Nigeria without any one of them being relegated to the position of observer. Hence, trialogue is rightly understood as, “A conversation or discussions in which three people or groups participate.” We see here a clear difference between the two models of interfaith relationships – dialogue and trialogue. In dialogue within the Nigerian context, the only participants in the North are Christians and Muslims. Followers of Traditional religion only observe from a distance. On other hand, in trialogue they will participate along side with Christians and Muslims. The same applies in the South-East. In dialogue within the South-Eastern context, the only participants are Christians and traditional religionists, the Muslims only observing from afar. In trialogue, the Muslims will participate in the interchange of ideas and conversation or discussion alongside Christians and traditional religionists.