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Oliver@Expressionsofsoul.com New York, USA

ARE WE FOOLING OURSELVES IN OUR BELIEFS?

ife is a learning process and what a waste it would be if we fail to learn from the events of life. The preceding statement demands worthy consideration in view of the recent tragedy on the list of similar repeated tragedies in Nigeria. As is usually the case, we (Nigerians) mourn as it occurs and ignore the lessons as we proceed, but no house is ever built from the roof, and no student who wishes to graduate ought to refuse to learn.

Before we ignore the lessons of the last tragedy in Nigeria, let us attempt to answer some pertinent questions. In a previous piece (Killing another; is there a consequence?), this writer talked about the consequences of killing (or instigating the killing of) another. The article generally addressed the issue as it pertained to all and sundry around the world. It did not pick any particular country, religion, or group of people for emphasis.

However, since then (a few days ago), there has been another mayhem in Nigeria. People have gone out in droves to maim, kill, or murder their neighbors and wantonly destroy properties. Again, there are fresh orphans, fresh widows, and many more jobless, homeless, and helpless Nigerians to add to the already high toll so far. Once again, hatred seemed to have prevailed over love.

The story is that some influential people called upon the general population under their political or religious influence to react against a purported religious provocation and disagreement. In the fracas that ensued, over 200 people were killed. That is said to be under investigation. Meanwhile, this piece will not take sides, and will neither support the purported provocation nor the mass murders and wanton destruction of lives and properties that ensued.

However, a few questions beg to be answered. If men purported to be "men of God," "lovers of God," and "worshippers of God," burn down churches and mosques "in the name of God," what is expected of atheists or non-believers? Would such actions encourage the non-believer to embrace God and the religion, or would it encourage him to stay aloof of God and religion? Does God or any religion encourage murder, hatred, violence, vengeance, and wickedness, instead of love, peace, forgiveness, kindness, and regard for human life? Are we fooling ourselves in our beliefs? - This is just a question.

Our heart felt condolences go out to victims of the anti-Miss World riots in Nigeria.

Oliver Mbamara, Esq. © 2002

Oliver Mbamara, Esq., is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York.