CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the Study
There is high level of moral decadence in our contemporary society today. Morality is an essential element of religion. Infact, no religion can truly be embraced by people if the concept of morality is lacking. However, there are divergent views about what constitute morality from one religion to another. For example, what constitute morality in African Traditional Religion lies on the moral beliefs and principles of the Africans which are derived from their religion, which are norms, taboos, customs and values, which provides the necessary justification for moral values and beliefs. While in Christianity what really constitute morality lies on the shoulders of divine command. Morality is almost being eroded in our society and moral laxity is increasing now than before. Elderly people lament daily that they are meeting behavior that shocks them, sexual immorality, dishonesty, corruption, crime, violence, cultism and many other things which hasten the old to their graves. We are in between two world, unable to part with the old and not yet of the new world, in a limbo between these two worlds a dichotomy permeates its moral behavior.
Moreover, there have been a lot of moral controversies between Christianity and ATR, but the relationship between morality and religion has attracted the attention of philosophers since the inception of philosophy and the act of philosophizing. As a matter of fact, morality is a universal phenomenon to humanity. Against this backdrop, there is collaboration between individuals and public morality through the intermediation of moral agents (Religion). In respect of this, any society that is not morally sound is bound to witness all kinds of social menace, as Opuku (1963:27) opined that, “morality flows out of religion and through this, conduct of individual is regulate and any break of moral code is regarded as evil. Philosophical, morality speak of a system of behavior in regards to standards of right or wrong behavior, therefore the word carry the concept of : moral standards with regard to behavior, moral responsibility referring to our conscience and a moral identity or one who is capable of right or wrong action.
However, people may have turned to different angle to look for the concept of morality, some turn to philosophy, others psychology and intuitive knowledge. But it is believed that morality can be found in these religions. Finally, this research work tend to investigate the comparative analysis which drawn out the similarities and differences in the moral principle of ATR and Christianity in the light of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
There are observable moral decadence in contemporary societies, the lapses in morality have been on the increase today. Hence there are issues of cultism, rape, killing, stealing, kidnapping and all kinds of immoral practices going on in Ikot Ekpene L.G.A. The researcher has observed that Christians and ATR worshipper dominate this locality but the concept of morality in respect to their religion has not being taking into proper consideration. However, scholars have looked at the concept of morality from different stand point, but a careful analysis of the available literature indicate that they have not looked at the comparative survey of morality in ATR and Christianity in the light of Ikot Ekpen L.G.A.
Therefore, this research work intend to carefully spotlight the sources of morality found in both religion, point of similarities, differences and also makes recommendation on ways of curbing the societal menace and moral decadences in Ikot Ekpene L.G.A.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main aim of this research work is to critically analyze the concept of morality in Christianity and ATR. Against this backdrop, this study tends to achieve the following objectives:
examine the concept of morality in ATR.
examine the concept of morality in Christianity.
Identify the similarities between the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity.
Identify the differences between the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity.
Suggest ways in which the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity can improve the moral standard of people of Ikot Ekpene L.G.A.
1.4 Research Questions
In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the study will be guided by the following research questions.
What is the concept of morality in ATR?
What is the concept of morality in Christianity?
What are the similarities between the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity?
What are the differences between the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity?
What is the relevance of the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity to the people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area?
1.5 Research Methodology
The study adopts a descriptive research design. Beridam (1995), opines that, a research design is the procedure adopted to collect and analyze data in order to achieve the objectives of a research work. Against this backdrop, the study adopts a descriptive survey for this work. According to Mboho (2010), a Descriptive survey is the type of inquiry that deals with the collection and analysis of data for the purpose of describing and interpreting existing conditions, ongoing process, comment practices and attitudes. Descriptive survey is usually non-experimental but involves the survey of primary data through oral interviews.
The researcher interviewed twenty (20) respondents, (13) were Christians while (7) were African Traditionalist. Secondary sources which are books and journals articles were also consulted to enhance and aid proper understanding of the work.
1.6 Scope and Limitation
This research work focuses on the concept of morality in ATR and Christianity; it has being narrow down to Ikot Ekpene L.G.A. It is limited to the following constraints time factor, resources, human factor, limited data and information.
1.7 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, this study is significant because it will definitely contribute to knowledge by comparatively examine the concept of morality in Christianity and ATR. Scholars have so for suggested various moral principles to guide religious adherent in various dimension and places, but none has particularly addressed the issue with respect to the people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. Therefore, this study can be use as a template by scholars to further redress the concept of morality in religions and also ensure that the already existing works on morality are applicable to different contexts.
Practically, this study is extremely significant because it will help the people of Ikot Ekpene L.G.A to checkmate those excesses of their moral life, because morality is necessary in every human society to ensure uprightness and sanctity of life. This study is also significant as it will save as a limelight to African Traditionalist and Christians on the basis of their religious moral. It also portrays religion as an important tool for the moral well-being of the community and as a useful cohesive factor holding and sustaining the society.
