Ilesanmi, Simeon O. 1963-

views updated

Ilesanmi, Simeon O. 1963-

PERSONAL:

Born 1963. Education: University of Ife, Nigeria, B.A.; Southern Methodist University, B.A.; Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Department of Religion, Wake Forest University, P.O. Box 7212, Reynolda Station, Winston-Salem, NC 27109. E-mail—ilesanmi@wfu. edu.

CAREER:

Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, associate professor and director of graduate studies.

WRITINGS:

Religious Pluralism and the Nigerian State, Ohio University Center for International Studies (Athens, OH), 1997.

SIDELIGHTS:

Nigerian Simeon O. Ilesanmi has taught graduate courses concentrating on religious ethics and tradition, as well as other classes that link religion with power and human rights. His Religious Pluralism and the Nigerian State is a study of the relationship between various religions and the state and how they could be improved through increased cooperation among religious, political, and ethnic groups. "The author argues that the search for an ethical public policy and philosophy on religion has focused more on the proper attitude of the state than on the contribution of religion to the common good," reported Obi Igwara in Africa. "Religion can play an important and positive role in nation building, especially through the provision of education and social welfare services. That, however, depends on the promotion of a dialogic political culture among the diverse religious communities." Ilesanmi acknowledges the difficulties in reforming Nigeria as a democracy, but he envisions the country incorporating an American constitutional system with separation of church and state, a situation that is unlikely given the conflicts between Nigerian Christians and Muslims. Journal of Ecumenical Studies critic Jack E. Nelson wrote that this volume "is a poignant reminder of what a difficult accomplishment democratic rule can be, by a promising young author from whom we can expect to hear much more in the future."