Cultural and Religious Conflicts in the Acceptance of Homosexuality: Navigating Ethical Standards in a Globalizing Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the ethical, religious, and cultural perspectives influencing the acceptance or
rejection of homosexuality in Nigeria, focusing on conflicts between traditional values and modern
human rights principles. Using a survey of 384 respondents, the study examined factors such as
religious beliefs, generational differences, and media representation. Key findings revealed that deeply
rooted cultural beliefs (30.5%) and religious teachings (37.2%) were the primary causes of conflict,
while 38.8% of respondents indicated that this conflict creates division and polarization. Religious
beliefs strongly shaped public attitudes, with Christian teachings (44.0%) and Islamic teachings
(36.2%) being the dominant influences. A Chi-Square Test of Independence was employed to test the
hypothesis that religious beliefs, generational differences, and media representation do not significantly
influence the acceptance or rejection of homosexuality in Nigeria. The results (χ² = 85.67, p = 0.001)
rejected the null hypothesis, indicating a significant relationship. Multinomial Logistic Regression
further highlighted generational factors and media dynamics as key predictors, with older generations
(Exp(B) = 3.435) and media reinforcement of rejection (Exp(B) = 0.363) significantly shaping public
attitudes. The study concluded that societal rejection of homosexuality is deeply intertwined with
cultural, religious, and generational values, while media representation plays a dual role in either
reinforcing stereotypes or promoting acceptance.