Christian leaders in northern Nigeria have warned believers against engaging in abusive religious exchanges online, amid growing tensions between faith groups on social media.
The northern branch of the (CAN) said insults and hostile arguments cannot be used to defend Christianity and risk deepening divisions in the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the group’s chairman, Joseph Hayab, urged Christians—particularly young people and clergy—to show restraint when responding to provocation.
“The Bible warns Christians against engaging in vain arguments,” he said. “From a biblical angle, vain arguments include reckless, unprofitable and provocative debates… they generate strife, ungodliness, and ruin both the speakers and the listeners.”
His comments follow a series of heated exchanges online between members of different faiths, including viral posts and videos containing inflammatory remarks about religious figures and beliefs.
Citing passages such as Titus 3:9 and 2 Timothy 2:23, Mr Hayab said Christians should not respond with hostility, even when their beliefs are criticised or misunderstood.
“As a Christian leader, I do not teach or encourage any Christian to insult the divinity of another faith just because some persons say or write offensive things about Jesus or Christianity,” he said. “An honest study of the Bible will show that you cannot ‘fight for God’.”
He added that God, being all-powerful, does not require human defence through verbal attacks, warning that such behaviour undermines the essence of the Christian faith.
“Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ can ‘fight’ those who fight Him… no one can battle against the Lord because He is an omnipotent warrior who never loses,” he said.
Mr Hayab also cautioned against what he described as “misguided religious zeal”, saying emotional reactions to provocation weaken the message of love and peace central to Christianity.
He said using abusive language in the name of defending the faith misrepresents Christianity and diminishes its moral authority.
“Such debates are unprofitable, worthless, and causes of ungodliness,” he added. “Christians using abusive words do not defend their faith; rather, they make a mockery of it and dim the light of the gospel.”
