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Church Proliferation in Nigeria Society

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Church Proliferation in Nigeria Society
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

Vol. 1 No. 15 [Special Issue – October 2011]

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF CHURCH PROLIFERATION: THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD AS A CASE STUDY
IBIYINKA OLUSOLA ADESANYA, PhD DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION UNIVERSITY OF ADO-EKITI ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE NIGERIA

Abstract
The environmental effects of proliferation of churches continued to be a major concern to all and particularly those in the mainstream of environmental protection. So disturbing has it become that analysts begin to think of the need for a legal framework to tackle the menace. This paper appraised the extent of proliferation of churches with particular reference to The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Churches are noted to be springing up at an alarming and unprecedented rate in all available spaces, shops, warehouses, hotels, to mention but a few. Using both primary and secondary sources of data collection, the paper also listed and discussed some of the problems associated with the proliferation of churches, such as noise pollution, traffic congestion at the Redemption Camp, inhalation of exhaust gases and related air pollutants, improper ventilation and the collapse of weak structures being used. All these were noted to lead to various health hazards like suffocation, stressinduced ailments like hypertension, diabetes, hearing loss, alterations in cardiac functioning and the likes.The paper therefore concluded by recommending some stringent statutory environmental laws that could be enacted to solve the problems. Also, all stakeholders including government and religious bodies were advised to work together to introduce legal and administrative frameworks to manage the effects of this church proliferation.
INTRODUCTION

Our global society today is undergoing significant constant proliferation of churches which have brought not only changing values, but also greater source of solutions to people’s problems. This rapid



References: Adesanya,I.O(2004) “Proliferation of Churches: Bane or Blessing” in journal of contemporary issues in Education, Vol. 11,No.1: 55-60. Bankole, Tokunbo (2007) “Proliferation of Churches in Ekitiland, 1979-2004,” an unpublished M.A dissertation submitted to the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ado Ekiti, 40-45. Downie Andrew, “The World’s Worst Traffic” Jams, Times Magazine, Retrieved June 20th. Emmanuel,O (2009) , A medical Doctor Interviewed on the hazards of noise pollution. Fayomi, M.O (1993) The Christian Response To Our Moral and Social Crisis, Ado-Ekiti:Hope Paper Mills. O. O. Falayi, “Proliferation of Churches: Causes and Effects on Church Growth, A Case Study of Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State,” an Unpublished project submitted to the RCCG, Bible College, Lagos, p. 42. Field, J. M (1993) “Effects of Personal and Situational Variables upon Noise Annoyance in Residential Areas”, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 93:2753-2763.. Fashola, Babatunde in the Nation, Thursday, October, 22nd, 2009. 35. . Ojo Tony, “Let Somebody Shout Hallelujah”; Lagos, Honeycombs Cards and Prints,. 16-38. Olayiwola, D.O (2002) “Pentecostal and Charismatic Perspectives of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’ in Ondo journal of Religion, Vol.111, No. 1 and 2. 3. Ogidi, R. (1997) “Worries over Failure of Religion as Moral Anchor,” The Guardian, March, 28, 11. Stott, John (1990) Issues Facing Christians Today, Britain, Marshall Morgan. Lagos Seals Off RCCG, Mountain of Fire over noise pollution, www.naifapals.com/modules/naifapals. “Noise Pollution, Lagos Government Shuts Church, in Daily Champion, June 18, 2009, p. 10. Federal Highway Administration Congestion: A National Issue, Retrieved 25 th Oct. 2008. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, 57th Annual Convention; Annual Reports, 2009. The News Magazine, “Adeboye Goes Tough”, Vol. 18, No.23, 10th June 2002, 26-28 . http:// main.rccgg.org/church/history-main.htm. 182

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