Curbing Religious Excesses: Examining Workable Mechanisms

S everal ways are being exa­ mined through various themes at the three-day colloquium organised by the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism ongoing at the Yaounde Conference Centre. The scientific gathering which began on Wednesday October 7, and ends tomorrow is holding under the theme; “Religions and the promotion of peace, social cohesion and living to­ gether in Cameroon.” The inau­ gural lecture at the opening ceremony that was chaired by the President of the Commis­ sion was given by Prof. Jean Paul Messina, on “Regions and social cohesion in Cameroon: Problematizing peace and living together in a secular and multi- confessional society.” As explained by the Coordinator of the colloquium, who is the Secretary General of the Na­ tional Commission for the Pro­ motion of Bilingualism and Mul­ ticulturalism, Dr. Chi Asafor Cor­ nelius, participants who are in­ ter-religious conflicts, university professors, representatives of international organisations ba­ sed in Cameroon, government ministries in charge of mana­ ging religions and their impact on society, as well as civil so­ ciety organisations, among others, are exploring all existing avenues to curb religious excess by promotion peace and social cohesion. To this effect, some of the to­ pics presented and examined at the scientific symposium are; religions, States and secularism in contemporary societies, changes in the Cameroonian religious landscape; between social genesis and contempo­ rary variations, the religious phenomenon in Cameroon; bet­ ween social cohesion challenges and the forging of living toge­ ther. Other presentations at the three-day meeting include; between faith and law; legal framework governing the func­ tioning of religions and ot...