History+of+Christianity+and+Islam


 * Nigeria religion ** comprises a number of religions, mainly Christianity, Islam and the traditional religion of Nigeria. Formerly different ethnic groups of Nigeria practiced different religions, which were finally overpowered by Islam and Christianity. Islam mainly dominated the northern part of Nigeria, while Christianity was prevalent in the southern part of Nigeria, among the Yoruba and the Igbo ethnic groups. Yoruba people inhabiting in Nigeria are mainly practitioners of Protestantism, while Igbo and the groups residing in the nearby areas are followers of Catholicism. Nigeria religion represents Nigerian culture.

The spread of Christianity was the result of the mass preaching by the missionaries in Nigeria. Besides the missionaries, there were two principal forces behind the growth of Christianity. They are the Aladura Church and the Africanized Christian sect. In Nigeria, the middle and southern parts are dominated by Christianity and other traditional religions. The 14th century saw the commencement of Islamic culture in Nigeria. The Nigerians gladly embraced the Islamic religion and since then it became one of the important religions of Nigeria. Islam was mainly restricted to the northern part of Nigeria. Gradually, the religion spread to different parts of the country.

Even though Islam and Christianity are the main **Nigeria religions** the people are also tolerant towards all the other minor religions.

Nigeria is home to a variety of [|religions] which tend to vary regionally. This situation accentuates regional and ethnic distinctions and has often been seen as a source of [|sectarian] conflict amongst the population.[|[][|96][|]] Even though, Nigeria is apparently divided equally between Islam and Christianity between north and south, it is evident that across Nigeria there is widespread belief, albeit suppressed for political reasons, in traditional religious practices. Based on a 2009 World Religious survey (Mapping out the Global Muslim Population) 50.4% of Nigeria's population were Muslims,[|[][|97][|]] 48.2% were Christian (15% [|Protestant], 13.7% [|Catholic], and 19.6% other Christian), and followers of other religions were 1.4%.[|[][|98][|]] The core north is largely Muslim, there are large numbers of both Muslims and Christians in the Middle Belt, including the Federal Capital Territory. In the west of the country, especially in the Yorubaland, the population is said to be evenly divided between Muslims and Christians, while in the southeastern regions are predominantly Christians with widespread traditional beliefs, [|Catholics], [|Anglicans], and [|Methodists] are the majority with few traditional beliefs, while the Niger Delta region is mainly Christian.[|[][|99][|]] The majority of Nigerian Muslims are [|Sunni], but a significant [|Shia] and [|Sufi] minority exists (//see [|Shia in Nigeria]//) and a small minority of [|Ahmadiyya]. Some northern states have incorporated [|Sharia] law into their previously secular legal systems, which has brought about some controversy.[|[][|100][|]] [|Kano State] has sought to incorporate Sharia law into its constitution.[|[][|101][|]] Christian Nigerians are about evenly split between [|Roman Catholicism] and [|Protestantism]. Leading Protestant churches are the [|Church of Nigeria], of the [|Anglican] communion, Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, [|Redeemed Christian Church of God], the [|Nigerian Baptist Convention] and [|The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations]. The Yoruba area contains a large Anglican population, while [|Igboland] is predominantly Catholic and the [|Edo] area is predominantly [|Assemblies of God] which was introduced into Nigeria by Gabrial Ojemekele Oyakhilome and his associates at [|Enugu]. Across [|Yorubaland] in the west many people are adherents to Yorubo/Irunmole spirituality with its philosophy of divine destiny that all can become [|Orisha] (//ori//, spiritual head; //sha//, is chosen: to be one with Olodumare (//oni odu//, the God source of all energy; //ma re//, enlighthens / triumphs). Across Nigeria, there is a growing tendency to abandon Christianity and Islam in favour of traditional religions.