VEJOH - VERITAS JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES

The universe in its original state at creation was perfect and nature was at its best in the service of man. However, man’s disobedience to God’s command and his religious activities have impacted the entire ecosystem positively and negatively. Thus, this paper argues that religion plays ambivalent roles in environmental issues in Africa. The research adopted descriptive method and the use of secondary sources in addressing the issues raised. It was discovered that African Traditional Religion, Christianity and Islam, to a greater extent have contributed to environmental preservation and at the same time engaged in activities that led to the general interruption of the ecosystem in Africa. The work recommended that religious adherents should seek deeper understanding of their tenets as it relates to its interaction with nature. Until religion finds its true expression within the ecological space, and all are involved in addressing environmental issues, religion will continue to remain in the crisis of building and destroying the environment; which is capable of stunting economic, scientific and political growth.

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