NWUBE SIMEON NNANNA, (Ph.D.)
Department of Christian Religious Studies,
Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo,
Ebonyi State Nigeria.
&
EDIGBO MICHAEL N.
Department of Christian Religious Studies,
Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.
Abstract.
There is a common assumption among the adherents of Religious Market Theory that
there is always an increase in the overall religiosity in an environment with high religious
diversity. On the other hand, Secularization Hypothesis holds that the establishment of
new religions casts doubt on the existing religion, which results in a reduction of
religiosity. In contributing to this debate, which is the main purpose of this paper, a
comparative analysis was used to reinvestigate the relationship that existed between
religious diversity and religiosity among religious adherents especially in rural-urban
cities of the South East of Nigeria. This is done with a view of proffering a more index
knowledge of the relationship that exists between the two variables. Findings from the
study discovered that Urbanization increases levels of religious mobilization; and that
diversity also increases levels of religious mobilization. The paper while supporting
Religious Market Theory, maintained that urban areas are far more likely than rural areas
to actively participate in religion and that religious diversity causes level of activity and
participation to increase too. In conclusion, the paper recommended among other things
that government should encourage religious freedom among citizens, which will
promote religious diversity and more active participation.
Keywords: Religious diversity, Religious Market theory, Secularization Hypothesis, Religiosity, Religious economies.
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