“When our moral life is better, our physical life will be better” – Fr Moses Adesina

…Nigerian priest researches religion as key to morality in Guyana

Just as the days of 2026 are still unfolding, and many persons are still trying to find ways to be their best moral selves within the new year – one Reverand has revealed a key way in which persons can enhance their moral traits. Moralities.
This person is Reverend Fr Dr Oluwaseun Moses Adesina, Ph.D., who hails from the heart of West Africa, and who has dedicated the past seven months out of his five years in Guyana to an in-depth analysis of whether religion can effectively address the moral challenges facing Guyana – adding a significant touch to the Guyanese population.
His research, conducted while pursuing his post-doctoral studies at Eudoxia Research University in the USA and India, culminated in his thesis, “Religious Education: A Fundamental Key to Moral Life—Guyana: A Case Study.”
Supported by research, including interviews with Guyanese respondents from Georgetown, the 39-year-old Nigerian academic asserts that his findings present a direct pathway to fostering a deeper connection between Guyanese society and morality.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Adesina confidently started off by saying, “religion can boost morality in Guyana.”
Beginning with his personal perspective, Adesina emphasised the potential of religious education in shaping ethical behaviour and improving quality of life.
“Whether it be to be a Hindu, to be a Christian, or to be a traditional worshipper, I believe religion can help better Guyanese life, our moral life. When our moral life is doing better, our outside life, our physical life, our profession will be better,” he stated.
He further noted, “Religious education serves great importance in today’s age. It shapes the way individuals traverse through life. From my findings, I have realised that religious persons tend to have stronger ethical values.”
Adesina explained how his research demonstrated a clear link between religiosity and improved moral behaviour.
“I feel that the role of religious education in our society is very pivotal. Religious education serves as an essential mechanism in shaping the moral life of people. Persons who are very devoted to their religion tend to have better moral values and ethical behaviour compared to those who lack a religious foundation,” he said.

Impact on children and society
Through interviews with educators and researchers, Adesina also explored how religious teachings influence children.
These findings of his revealed that children raised in religious households generally exhibit better moral virtues than their own peers that they interact with.
“I tried to ask some teachers and researchers how religion has shaped the lives of their children and students. They established that children from strong religious backgrounds perform better morally—showing more respect, compassion, and companionship towards others—compared to those from non-religious homes,” he shared.
While Adesina is a rooted Christian himself, he stressed the importance of inclusivity in religious education, advocating for the promotion of all belief systems.
“I’m not talking about being a Christian alone. I’m talking about every religion in Guyana—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, traditional believers. Those who are more religious, regardless of their faith, are generally more compassionate and loving than those who are not,” he explained.
Meanwhile Adesina also envisions religious education as a crucial part of school curricula, not only in Guyana but worldwide.
He argued that introducing religion as a subject would encourage moral development across all societal sectors.
“In every nation—schools, colleges, and universities—there should be a subject that deals with religion. It can be added to the curriculum to teach young people about religious values, which will ultimately shape their moral lives,” he suggested.
Highlighting the challenges faced by individuals who have never had an encounter with religious education, Adesina pointed out their lack of compassion and limited conflict resolution skills.
“I’ve seen that in professional settings, those who are more religious show greater compassion. Whether they are nurses, doctors, or teachers, their interactions with others are more empathetic and thoughtful,” he said.
Meanwhile Adesina urged parents, guardians, and leaders to embrace religion and encourage its practice among children.
“I would encourage parents, guardians, and those responsible for children to embrace at least one religion. This sets a better path for their lives, and their children will follow suit. When this happens, we can build a society with less hatred, less stealing, and less discrimination,” he advised.
He also proposed Government-organised seminars to promote religious education among teachers, students, and the wider community.

Consequences
Reverend Fr Adesina warned about the consequences of neglecting morality and religious education in society. According to him, in a society without religious education, there would be more intolerance, hatred, and selfishness.
Religion on the other hand teaches persons how to share what they have—whether it’s material goods, wisdom, or other blessings. Without it, society could descend into chaos, anarchy, and doom, he relayed. (G2)