Religious law includes ethical and moral codes taught by religious traditions. Different religious systems hold sacred law in a greater or lesser degree of importance to their belief systems, with some being explicitly antinomian whereas others are nomistic or "legalistic" in nature. In particular, religions such as Judaism, Islam and the Baháʼí Faith teach the need for revealed positive law for both state and society, whereas other religions such as Christianity generally reject the idea that this is necessary or desirable and instead emphasise the eternal moral precepts of divine law over the civil, ceremonial or judicial aspects, which may have been annulled as in theologies of grace over law.
The blessing or wedding of same-sex marriages and same-sex unions is an issue about which leaders of Christian churches are in ongoing disagreement. Traditionally, Christianity teaches that homosexual acts are sinful and that holy matrimony can only exist between two persons of the opposite sex. These disagreements are primarily centered on the interpretation of various scripture passages related to homosexuality, sacred tradition, and in some churches on varying understandings of homosexuality in terms of psychology, genetics and other scientific data. While various church bodies have widely varying practices and teachings, individual Christians of every major tradition are involved in practical (orthopraxy) discussions about how to respond to the issue.
As of the year 2020, Christianity had approximately 2.4 billion adherents and is the largest-religion by population respectively. According to a PEW estimation in 2020, Christians made up to 2.4 billion of the worldwide population of about 8 billion people. It represents nearly one-third of the world's population and is the largest religion in the world, with the three largest groups of Christians being the Catholic Church, Protestantism, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The largest Christian denomination is the Catholic Church, with 1.3 billion baptized members. The second largest Christian branch is either Protestantism, or the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Religion in Nigeria is diverse. The country is home to some of the world's largest Christian and Muslim populations, simultaneously.
Christianity in Africa first arrived in Egypt in approximately 50 AD, reached the region around Carthage by the end of the second century. In the 4th century, the Aksumite empire in modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea became one of the first regions in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. The Nubian kingdoms of Nobatia, Makuria and Alodia followed two centuries later. Important Africans who influenced the early development of Christianity include Tertullian, Perpetua, Felicity, Clement of Alexandria, Origen of Alexandria, Cyprian, Athanasius and Augustine of Hippo.
Christianity has a long history in the region that is now Sudan and South Sudan. Ancient Nubia was reached by Coptic Christianity by the 2nd century. The Coptic Church was later influenced by Greek Christianity, particularly during the Byzantine era. From the 7th century, the Christian Nubian kingdoms were threatened by the Islamic expansion, but the southernmost of these kingdoms, Alodia, survived until 1504.
Christianity came to North Africa in the Roman era. According to historian Theodor Mommsen what is now Mediterranean Algeria was fully Christian by the fifth century. A notable Berber Christian of Algeria was Saint Augustine, important saints in Christianity. Christianity's influence declined during the chaotic period of the Vandal invasions but was strengthened in the succeeding Byzantine period. After the Arab invasions of the 7th century, Christianity began to gradually disappear.
Christianity is a minority religion in Libya. It has been present in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica since Roman times.
Christianity in Nigeria accounts for an estimated 49.3% of the Nigerian population. Christians are dominant in the southern and central region in Nigeria. According to the Pew Research Center, Nigeria has the largest Christian population of any country in Africa, with more than 80 million persons in Nigeria belonging to the church with various denominations. The majority of Christians in Nigeria are Protestant.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is a diocese located in the city of Sokoto in the Ecclesiastical province of Kaduna in Nigeria. Its territory includes the states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Katsina.
Haiti, for much of its history and up to the present day, has been prevailingly a Christian country, primarily Roman Catholic, although in some instances it is profoundly modified and influenced through syncretism. A common syncretic religion is Vodou, which combined the Yoruba religion of enslaved Africans with Catholicism and some Native American strands; it shows similarities, and shares many deity-saints, with Cuban Santería and Brazilian Candomblé. The constitution of Haiti establishes the freedom of religion and does not establish a state religion, although the Catholic Church receives some preferential treatment.
Christianity is predominant religion in Jamaica. Jamaica's laws establish freedom of religion and prohibit religious discrimination. According to the census of 2011, 69% of the population are Christians of various denominations, while 21% stated they had no religion.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria operates two court systems. Both systems can punish blasphemy. The Constitution provides a customary (secular) system and a system that incorporates Sharia. The customary system prohibits blasphemy by section 204 of Nigeria's Criminal Code.
Josiah Atkins Idowu-Fearon is a Nigerian Anglican bishop. Since 2015, he has been Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council. He was previously the Bishop of Kaduna diocese and the Archbishop of the Province of Kaduna in the Church of Nigeria.
Religion in Kaduna State is a secular state, with Christian, Muslim and some indigenous religious adherents. The Sharia is valid for the areas with a mainly Muslim population. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Zaria, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan have their seat in the state. An ecclesiastical province of Kaduna of the Church of Nigeria exists. The Churches of Christ are present in the state. Winners' Chapel, which has been founded by David Oyedepo, is a Megachurch in Kaduna City. When the governor of Kaduna announced to introduce Sharia, violence in Kaduna City erupted.
Christianity is a minority religion in the Nigerian State of sokoto, where Sharia is partially practice. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has some 44,000 Catholics. The Redeemed Christian Church of God is active in Sokoto. An Anglican Diocese of Sokoto of the Church of Nigeria has been created in about 1990. An ECWA Samuel Matankari Memorial College of the Evangelical Church of West Africa exists in Sokoto. Zion World Prayer and Missions has its headquarters in Sokoto.
Adamawa state is the home of a large number of Christians, forming the largest minority religion in the predominantly Muslim state. Christian communities in the state have been heavily attacked by Boko Haram. However, these attacks have reduced in recent years due to the Nigerian military's efforts to combat terrorism in the region. The state has the Roman Catholic Diocese of Yola as majority headed by Stephen Dami Mamza. Ekklesiyar ‘Yan’uwar a Nigeria – has its seat in the province. Deeper Life Bible Church and Living Faith Church are present in Yola. Most of the members of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria are in the state, with the headquarters being at Numan. Fellowship Baptist Conference of Nigerian Baptist Convention has its seat at Mubi and Gongola Baptist Conference-Ag of Nigerian Baptist Convention has its seat at Numan. Gombi, Golembatal, Uvu, Nokwam Nbulum, Wurobalka and Mubi have National Evangelical Mission churches.
Christianity is a major religion in Ogun State and it constitute 70% of its population, where Sharia is not valid. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta are present in the state. Ijebu-Ode has a St. Clare's Monastery. The international headquarters of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) are in Ogere-Remo, Ogun State. The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is present in the state. In Ogun State, the Celestial Church of Christ has Alafia, Emi, Ibukun, Itunu, Itunu Iyanu, Iyanu, Oba Nla, Ogo Oluwa and Oluwaseun Parishes e. Christ Apostolic Church has churches in the state. Jubilee Christian Church International has its headquarters in Abeokuta. The Anglican church is present in Ogun State. The town of Ota has a tract of land known as Canaanland, which includes the church of the name Faith Tabernacle and Covenant University. Crawford University and Seventh-day Adventist Babcock University are present in the state. Western Diocese of Salem International Christian Centre has its seat in the state. The Redeemed Christian Church of God owns Redeemer's University. Christ International Divinity College (CINDICO) has its seat in the state.
Christianity is the second major population in Niger State Nigeria, where Sharia is valid. Nine churches in Kontagora were set ablaze in 2006. Minna has a Living Faith Church, a Grace Baptist Church, Victory Christian Church and The Apostolic Church. The Church of Christ in Nigeria is present in the state. A bomb attack allegedly by Boko Haram killed three persons in All Christian-Fellowship Mission in Suleja, Niger State on July 10, 2011. Muslim Rights Concern has condemned this. Churches in Minna and Gwada have been burned, too. Faith Mission Church is present in the state. A Roman Catholic Diocese of Minna has its seat in the state and decidedly is a minority within its area. Evangelical Church Winning All is present in Madalla. The Evangelical Missionary Society used to be active in the area of Niger State.
Religious violence in Nigeria refers to Christian-Muslim strife in modern Nigeria, which can be traced back to 1953. Today, religious violence in Nigeria is dominated by the Boko Haram insurgency, which aims to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria.
