Nigeria is a secular state. In Nigeria there is freedom of worship. This freedom is one of the many things a citizen enjoys and which is guaranteed under our statute book. Freedom represents different things to different people. Some people hold that there is no absolute freedom arguing that the right of a person to swing his arms is limited to the extent that it does not hit another.
This understanding is still very far from many people especially religious fanatics, who are so overwhelmed by their beliefs to the extent that they are quite intolerant of opposing views as far as their faith is concerned. Religion was described by Karl Marx as opium which is administered to a people to put them to sleep.
There is this deceptive euphoria that he is quite fulfilled in his campaign for God whether or not anyone is matched upon in the process. This no doubt explains why many religions, Christianity and Islam especially, spread in the early times and even up till now through violence
It is the sedative nature of this opium which brings all the fantasy and pleasure that motivates people to exhibit extreme behaviors in the practice of their faith. This is the situation even when it is clear that the fanatic involved is also infringing on the rights of another. This is also an offense against his fellow being which he will find justifications for just because of his professed love for God which he elects to defend at all cost.
Nigeria has two major foreign religions dominant. The two religions of Islam and Christianity have different sects and groups. All are found in competition with each other struggling for membership, identity and canvassing why it is better than the other even when they may have originated from one source.
Nigeria today is seriously challenged with various health hazards part of which includes noise pollution. The amount of noise generated through various activities and which impedes on the health of the citizens are unquantifiable. It is unfortunate to add that much of this noise which cumulatively takes the lives of individuals comes from religious organization.
Religious groups as we understand ought to be saving lives and not to take in whatever way. Through early morning exhortations by Muslims in their various mosques, and through various preaching at crusade grounds, church programs at the markets, homes, churches, etc the two religions generate so much noise that affects the peace of individuals and calmness in the environment.
News Echo notes with dissatisfaction the reckless manner that they conduct their activities, a situation which does not respect the rights of other people to a noise free society. They seem to be saying that whether or not you belong to our fold, whether or not you like what we are doing, you have no choice than to keep quiet and enjoy the noise.
This is regrettable. The constitutional rights of people to free worship are infringed upon when they are indirectly coerced to enjoy the teachings of other religions.
We note again that blaring noises against the wishes of the people further exposes those with health challenges who may be needing rest and noise free environment for recuperation. We call on the government to seek measures towards regulating the amount of noise generated through religious programs.
We do not think that God himself would seek to suffer or inconvenience people for his message to be heard.
