Kaduna, April 15, 2026 — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned Christians against engaging in hostile religious exchanges, stressing that defending faith through insults and abusive arguments is contrary to biblical teachings.
The warning was issued by the Northern leadership of the association amid growing concerns over heated religious debates, particularly on social media.
Chairman of the group, Joseph Hayab, urged believers—especially youths and clergy—to exercise restraint, noting that many online engagements presented as defending Christianity often escalate into harmful confrontations.
He described such exchanges as “vain and unprofitable arguments,” warning that they tend to generate strife and deepen divisions among religious groups.
According to him, “believers cannot fight for God,” emphasizing that responding to provocation with insults undermines the essence of the Christian faith.
Hayab further stated that Christians are not called to retaliate with hostility, even when their beliefs are mocked or misunderstood, adding that God does not require human defence through verbal attacks.
“It is not a show of strength when any Christian uses abusive words… rather, such actions diminish the Christian message,” he said.
The association also noted that the rise of social media has intensified religious discourse in Nigeria, often turning platforms into spaces for provocative and divisive exchanges.
CAN urged Christians to uphold values of peace, love and restraint, insisting that avoiding inflammatory debates is essential to maintaining harmony in a multi-religious society.