CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

In today’s society religion is common and incredibly diverse. Every religion found at any point in time on this earth has its own extensive history and unique features like how they commune with the society, the way they dress (appearance), the time, the day and way they worship. Religion today is commonly known to be studied and discussed throughout primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities and textbooks, but rarely are the very beginnings and roots of religion discussed with any explanation of any sort of depth.

It usually begins with religions of the Judeo-Christian tradition or with others found in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, or Mesopotamia. The concepts found throughout religion did not simply arise instantaneously over night, they have began sometime along modern day humanity’s evolutionary history, and continue growing, until they are known as today, be it Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religion and so on.

According to the Wikipedia, ‘the earliest evidence of religion and its ideas date back several hundred thousand years ago to the Middle and Lower Paleolithic periods and archaeologists also refer to apparent intentional of early homo-sapiens from as early as three hundred thousand years ago. In other word, religion is as ancient as time itself and can be found in all societies past and present.

Religion is a believe system that is based on faith rather than objectively verifiable criteria. Religion is a believe system that certain supernatural principles, control behavior in the world for instance; the way, the time and day of worship and probably how to dress.

In spite of the difference in ways of devotion the ultimate achievement is to create a good association with God. Most religious groups do this through a mediator but some do not. For instance, Christians use Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5 “for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus) while the Muslims do so through Mohammed (Injil 14:6).

According to James Fraser (2012) “religion is a belief in powers superior to human which are believed direct and control the course of nature and man”

Most religious shares some of the following characteristics/ features;

Ø  Belief in one or more supernatural agents or forces that takes interest in and affect our fate and environment

Ø   Worship of and prayer to these supernatural agents in hopes of bringing about events beyond human or natural means

Ø  Purported answers to some fundamental questions of human existence (for example) like; How did the world around us come to be as it is and especially how mankind? What happens to us when we die? Why do good and bad things happen to us?

Ø  A moral code that is a set of rules for adherent to live by a cultural community if adherent based on religion.

In other  words, every religion ever known and practiced by man are based on mans faith in supernatural forces and are guided by a set of certain rules and principles to follow which have for centuries impacted greatly on the society and behavior of man

1.2      Statement of the Problem

Religion is the social institution that deals with scared things that lie beyond our control or knowledge. It has influenced other institutions  by exerting \ tremendous influence on all aspect of life most especially the political and economic aspect, in other words, it plays fundamental  role in bestowing  human existence  by marking off what is special and true, providing order, stricture and set forth the project and goals for humanity.

This leads to the question that arises in the minds of many individuals ‘why are there so many religious groups, have not become better in their societies in terms of morality and appropriate behavior. This behaviour raise the questions; does religion have an influence (effect) on the behavior of the people or not? This question may have been triggered by the fact that most of the violence in the behavior of student is been initiated under the name of religion.

1.3      Purpose of the Study 

This study (research) is carried out to determine the effect of religion on the behavior of students in the Lagos State University, Ojo Main campus.

In understanding this study, the researcher will try to find out

o   To examine the relationship between religion and moral behavior

o   To find out the relationship between religion and students academic performance

o   To investigate the relationship between religion and sexual behaviour of student in Lagos State University

o  To examine the level of religious awareness and practice of the undergraduate (student) in Lagos State University.

1.4    Research Questions

The Following research questions will be addressed in the study

     i.        Is there is a significant relationship between religion and moral behavior?

   ii.        What is the relationship between religion and students academic performance?

  iii.        What is the relationship between religion and sexual behaviour of student in Lagos State University?

  iv.        What is the level of religious awareness and practice of the undergraduate (student) in Lagos State University?

1.5      Research Hypotheses

The study is guided by the following hypothesis

H_o1:   There is no significant relationship between religion and moral behaviour

H_o2:   There is no significant relationship between religion and students   academic performance

H_o3:   There is no significant relationship between religion and sexual behaviour of student in Lagos State University

1.6      Significance of the Study

This research work will present an avenue to look into the previous views (and project  or documentaries) of the effect of religion on the behavior of students in the Lagos State University and it’s impacts on the academic and social life of the student.

This study will be beneficial to the lecturers school counselors, as well as students as it will serve as a guide to manage the students as well as crisis (or disagreement) that might occur in the school.

The outcome of this research would also assist religious leaders in building a morally upright members, for a better performance in the school

1.7      Limitations of the Study

The main limitation to the completion of this research work is the unlimited period of time, as well as financial constraints and reluctance of students to complete questionnaires.

1.8      Scope of the Study

This study will be conducted in Lagos State University, precisely at the Ojo Main campus located in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State Nigeria.

It will be limited to measure the effect of religion towards the student pattern of life and to the extent religion affect their behavior

Descriptive survey research design will be used for this study and questionnaire will be used for data collection. The population will compose of (undergraduates) students of Lagos State University.

1.9      Definition of Operational Terms

Religion: The belief in the existence of God or gods and the activities that are connected with the worship of them.

Behavior: The aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation.

Student: A learner who is enrolled in an educational institution.