Reconciling Religiosity and Secularists in a Democratic Society: Social Studies Education Perspective

The paper examines reconciling religiosity and secularity in a democratic society through the angle of Social Studies. The survey design was The target population for the study comprised of all the students in 400 level, Faculty of Education, Department of Social Science Education, Kogi State University, and the sample for the study comprised of 140 students of 400 level, these students were drawn using purposive sampling technique. The instrument used was Reconciling Religiosity and Secularity in a Democratic Society Questionnaire (r=) The data collected was analysed using weighted mean of 2.5 computed as 4+3+2+1=10/4=2.5 and standard deviation. The findings shows that Relationship exists between religiosity and secularity in a democratic society, religiosity is necessary in a democratic society to reconcile religion and modernity, it is important to avoid religious conflict, secularity of religion can promote inherent plurality, equality before the law is a way of promoting religion in a secular society and principle of
neutrality of the agents of states can promote religion in a secular society, Social Studies Education as a value laden subject promotes religiosity in a secular society through tolerance, social relation and norms that the society cherishes, It was recommended that Nigerian Government should not interfere in religious matter and equality before the law is a way of promoting religion in a secular society through Nigerian constitution among others.

Keywords: Reconciling, Religiosity, Secularity, Democratic Society, Social Studies Education and Perspective