Religious Change and Quality of Work Life of Traditional religious Functionaries in Contemporary Ikeduru Society: Some Psychosocial Concerns

Abstract

Everything under the universe undergoes a process of change except change itself which is said to be the only permanent thing on earth. Religious traditions of mankind have evolved from one stage of development to another usually from primitive to a more advanced state. Religious behaviour, activities and beliefs of a group or an individual equally undergo a process of change and such change is not without some psychosocial concerns in the society. It is on this note that this paper seeks to examine religious change and quality of work life of traditional religious functionaries in contemporary Ikeduru society: some psychosocial concerns. After clarification of key concepts used in the study, it goes ahead to look at traditional religion in the political landscape of Ikeduru ancient kingdom; religious change in Ikeduru traditional religion; causes of religious change in Ikeduru traditional religion; quality of work life and the place of traditional religious functionaries in Ikeduru ancient kingdom; religious change in the quality of work life of contemporary Ikeduru traditional religious functionaries; effects of religious change on the quality of worklife of traditional religious functionaries. Some psychosocial concerns on change in the quality of worklife of traditional religious functionaries; and prospects of traditional religious functionaries in contemporary Ikeduru society. The paper- finally concludes by remarking that the sharp decline in relevance of traditional religious functionaries is attributable to many factors, among which is, abuse of their sacred office through greed and connivance with unscrupulous individuals in the society in perpetration of evil practices- in the society for mere material gains. The paper, thus, recommends, among others, that traditional religious functionaries should channel their spiritual power to the subjugation of malevolent forces believed to be responsible for untimely deaths of youths, business failure, increased cases of terminal diseases, and inter community clashed in Ikeduru society.