TRENDING THE PATH OF PEACE IN AFRICA: A PHILOSOPHICAL INTERROGATION OF INTELLECTUAL CUM RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

Abstract

In this increasingly diverse cultural and multi-religious society of ours, the topic of religious tolerance has come to the forefront agitation of many people in the society as a resolution to diverse challenges bedeviling the entire world. Right from inception, man's motive has been towards seeking self-preservation, not to this life alone, man hopes to live eternally hereafter even in the face of death, but he also believes he has to merit a happy life in the world by living well here which eventually bring about conflict within his fellow human being. However, despite various human intellectual efforts towards resolving conflict, it appears that intellectual misunderstanding of religion which ought to promote peace and harmonious relation contributes to conflict and insecurity that most nations are experiencing in the contemporary period. This paper through its philosophical expository models alongside synthesis methods and critical analysis, focus on the importance and significance of intellectual tolerance in the human community and its impact on harmonious living and peaceful co-existence among different religious groups within the society. As regards this, it harps that religious tolerance which is rooted in human intellect should serve as an antidote to conflict and insecurity that bedeviled the nation.