Benin/Reflection on rationality, indoctrination and fundamentalism: Academics, civil society and youth movements mobilized

The sixth edition of the reflection and training workshop of the Institute of Justice and Peacemakers was concluded on Friday 21 May with a meeting that brought together academics, civil society actors, youth movements and professional organizations. In partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the University of Abomey-Calavi, this initiative was a moment of reflection on rationality, indoctrination and fundamentalism.

"Rationality promoted at the university facing the challenge of indoctrination and fundamentalism. This is the theme around which were mobilized academics including Professors Paulin Hountondji, Maxime da Cruz, Rector of the University of Abomey-Calavi, actors of civil society, youth movements, Friday, May 21. It was within the framework of the 6th edition of the workshop of reflection and training of the Institute of the artisans of justice and peace.
According to Abbot Colbert Goudjinou, director of the Institute, the workshop aims to see how the university can be in the vanguard so that no theory, no doctrine or indoctrination imposes itself or imposes their deadly law on our continent. This will be possible only if they do not find any answer in the youth who are concerned about the respect of each person, whoever he is and whatever obedience he comes from, according to the priest.
Father Colbert Goudjinou recalled that this year, the institute in collaboration with its partners has mobilized academics and youth movements to deepen this theme, which, according to his explanations, is the most important one.According to his explanations, this theme is part of the history of Africa marked by the slave trade and other forms of injury against the dignity of the human person. The priest stressed that if religion, which is a dimension of human life and which is supposed to link with the transcendent, were to play its role, it would not be able to enter into the falsified or instrumentalized relationship of belief which would degenerate into fundamentalism or indoctrination.

To constitute a bulwark

In the same way, according to Father Colbert Goudjinou, if the University, which is supposed to collaborate in the highest possible structuring of the various opportunities of a country, plays its role, it is the only one that is able to do so.In the same way, according to Abbé Colbert Goudjinou, if the University, which is supposed to collaborate in the highest possible structuring of the various opportunities of a country, plays its role, it is on the condition that it helps to confront the questions of man and society on the terrain of rationality and rationalization. The human being is therefore its inner parameter and its barometer. "We remain in this thought to see from this initiative the university of Benin in all its public and private structures become a bulwark against the irrationality of indoctrination and fundamentalism," he said.
Mounirou Tchacondoh, representing the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, noted with interest that the workshop contributes, through open and balanced discussions, to identify common cardinal values to be promoted in the high places of knowledge in order to strengthen the living together in the tolerance of differences. He indicated that the culture of peace and tolerance is a question of survival.
For his part, Professor Maxime da Cruz, Rector of the University of Abomey-Calavi, informed of the need to turn away from any act likely to lead to violence. According to him, it is imperative to banish acts of intolerance, acts related to an oversized ego, the refusal to listen to others, followed by the refusal to hear their views. Professor Maxime da Cruz said that it is necessary to teach children good behaviour by example. He invited the participants to refer to the Ten Commandments, especially the one concerning love of neighbour.
Let us recall that the bishop of Porto-Novo, Mgr Aristide Gonsallo, in charge of the justice and peace commission within the Episcopal Conference of Benin, had a message delivered through which he assured that if the situations of fundamentalism and indoctrination cannot be totally stopped, the participants will be part of the critical mass that resists and extends the reign of respect for the human being in society.

Source: lanationbenin. info/