PERCEPTIONS OF CITIZENS TOWARDS THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AS A TOOL FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE BUILDING: THE CASE OF ZAMBIA

Abstract

This paper interrogates the perceptions of Zambians towards Christianity as a tool for conflict resolution and peace building in the country. The discussion follows, albeit in brief, the history and growth of the Christian movement in Zambia culminating in the contemporary status where politics and the Christian religion have intertwined with the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation in the 1990s by the late former president Frederick Chiluba as the point of departure. In the recent years, current President Edgar Lungu declared 18^th October as a public holiday on which Zambians are to pray to God and fast. He further ordered the construction of the National House of Prayer (NHP), an interdenominational institution, to accommodate all kinds of believers who come to worship. NHP was to also hold various national events of a religious nature, sinking further the role of politics in Christianity. Some have contended that the intertwining of politics and religion in Zambia is important for conflict resolution and peace building among political players within the Zambian political arena. However, others do not seem to subscribe to that. Using the 5-point Likert Scale as a tool for data collection, the question of the Christian religion and its role in conflict resolution and peace building in Zambia was investigated. The study sought to inquire on the perceptions of Zambians towards Christianity as a tool for conflict resolution and peace building in Zambia especially within the political arena. The results gathered show that most Zambians perceive religion (Christianity) as an important tool for conflict resolution and peace building, but seem divided on the symbols. These include the declaration of Zambia as Christian nation, the designation of 18^th October for prayer and fasting and the building of the National House of Prayer.