https://medicine.unza.zm/index.php/ZJRCI <p>The Zambian Journal of Religion and Contemporary Issues (ZJRCI) aims at advancing knowledge and to promoting research as well as to providing a forum for policy discussion and analysis on diverse issues in the Zambian, African and Global context.&nbsp;</p> UNZA Press on Behalf of the University of Zambia, School of Education, Religious and Cultural Studies Department. en-US Zambia Journal of Religion and Contemporary Issues (ZJRCI) - ISSN Online: 2709-6963, ISSN Print: 2411-6254 2411-6254 https://medicine.unza.zm/index.php/ZJRCI/article/view/1076 The act of naming both living and non-living things is as old as humankind. Biblically, it started in the time of Adam.. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to explore the logic behind naming Children after deceased members of the lineage in Zambian Cultures from a Pentecostal perspective. The study used a case study design that involved the use of qualitative methods. The target population for the study was 20 selected Pentecostal Churches. The eligible respondents included 20 pastors, 10 parents, 10 Church Leaders (Deacons & Elders) as well as 8 focus group participants (comprising parents, deacons & elders) bringing the total number to 48 respondents; all of them ranging from 35 years and above. The participants were selected using purposive and snowballing methods and the data were collected using in-depth interviews and a Focus Group Discussion guide. The data collected were analyzed thematically. The study revealed that in the Zambian cultures naming Children after deceased members of the lineage is fundamentally meant to keep the tradition. The findings show that the Pentecostals' perspective on naming children after deceased family members is the same as the traditionalist perspective. Yet, Pentecostals oppose the naming of their children after the deceased members of the lineage. I, therefore, recommend that the Pentecostal Churches should find a mid-way of incorporating Zambian naming culture into its theology or doctrines. In this manner, the cultural heritage of the Zambian Pentecostals would be upheld and valued. Alfred Kapepe ##submission.copyrightStatement## 2025-02-17 2025-02-17 4 2 8 22 https://medicine.unza.zm/index.php/ZJRCI/article/view/1231 This study aimed to explore how students in higher learning institutions navigate moral dilemmas by utilising African Indigenous Ethics (AIE) and their experiences. Guided by “African relational and Ubuntu moral theories” and “cultural ethical theories”, the study examined the different types of moral dilemmas that arose in such institutions and sought to identify gaps in using AIE and establish means to bridge them to better support students in upholding their moral values and beliefs. This research aimed to provide insights into how best to help students in institutions of higher learning as they navigate moral problems and maintain their values and values by incorporating AIE based on their experiences of using AIE. The study has shown that students face a multifaceted moral dilemma, and cultures significantly influence ethical decision-making in college or university when faced with a moral dilemma. The students have found AIE effective and efficient in dealing with moral dilemmas and still influencing students’ decision-making even in the modern era. Several influences, including social media, family backgrounds, economic status, and academic performance expectations, greatly affect the moral conduct of young individuals, often leading to conflicts with their cultural and ethical values. These findings underscore the importance of cultural differences in shaping students’ ethical perspectives and accentuate the necessity for educators and institutions to acknowledge these differences when addressing moral behaviours. Due to some inefficiencies of AIE in dealing with moral dilemmas, the study has recommended its integration with other moral sources for effective and sustainable moral decision-making during moral dilemmas. Armstrong Chanda Alfred Kapepe Lwao Chilambwe Audrey Muyuni Ireen Moonga ##submission.copyrightStatement## 2025-02-17 2025-02-17 4 2 23 39 https://medicine.unza.zm/index.php/ZJRCI/article/view/1230 This study investigated the influence of Bemba Traditional Religious belief in mystical powers on Bemba Catholics, its implication for faith and the Catholic Church’s response in Mpika District of Zambia in contemporary times. Bemba Catholics have continued to cling to their belief in mystical powers despite the intensity of Catholic missionary evangelisation efforts in Mpika district. A descriptive case study design under the qualitative research method, and in-depth interviews, observation and focus group discussions to collect data were employed in this study. Data was analysed through the thematic framework. Lay Bemba Catholics, priests and community traditional leaders comprised the study population. A homogenous purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. It was established in this study that the belief in mystical powers influenced Bemba Catholics to create a worldview that everything that happened in life had its source in the supernatural or the manifestations of these powers. The belief influenced their perception of reality and behaviour; to suspect, use and practise witchcraft, divination, magic, consult with traditional witchdoctors, use traditional medicine, perform rituals and others. The local Catholic Church was involved in sensitisation, dialogue and inculturation to respond to the problem of its Bemba Catholics’ belief in the mystical powers of the Bemba cosmology. It has been recommended that the Catholic Church approaches Bemba Catholics’ embracement of religious worldviews with prudence as it extends the recognition, preservation and promotion of the good things found in the cosmology of mystical powers and engages in mutual dialogue and collaboration with Bemba Catholics embracing dual religiosity exhibited in their belief in mystical powers. Armstrong Chanda ##submission.copyrightStatement## 2025-02-17 2025-02-17 4 2 40 56 https://medicine.unza.zm/index.php/ZJRCI/article/view/1330 In Zambia, there has been political and social debate as to whether it is good for school pupils to use mobile phones in school or not. Prompted by the perceived effects of mobile phones on the formation of morals of pupils, the study assessed the impact of mobile phones on the formation of morals of pupils. The study used an embedded mixed-method design. 248 respondents were sampled in this study thus, included pupils, class teachers, deputy head teachers and head teachers. The study was carried out in two selected catholic mission secondary schools in Copperbelt and Central Provinces of Zambia. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. A mixed sampling procedure involving probability and non-probability sampling designs was used. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of graphs, charts, tables of frequencies and percentages, while Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis through grouping and coding themes based on the questions and objectives, and illustrated through bar graphs and pie charts. The study’s findings indicate that most of the teachers and school administrators had a negative attitude towards pupils possession of mobile phones, citing misuse of mobile phones for illegal content such as pornography, sexting, cyber-bullying, and watching or exchanging obscene materials among other illicit content. The study also revealed that the teachers identified behavioural issues among students who were attributed to the use of mobile phones which include: misconduct, isolation, bad relationships, indecent dressing, and misdemeanour. Contrary to this, the study found that learners did not agree with the negative views of their teachers, but considered mobile phones as useful educational tools. From these findings, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education to implement a policy that guides schools on the constructive use of mobile phones and that, schools should establish protocols that embrace modernisation in the background of maintaining and promoting traditional and family values among learners. Patrick Bwalya Austin Cheyeka ##submission.copyrightStatement## 2025-02-17 2025-02-17 4 2 57 73 https://medicine.unza.zm/index.php/ZJRCI/article/view/1287 This article investigates the role of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in fostering national reconciliation amidst the conflicts arising from the Barotseland Agreement between 2010 and 2011. The purpose of this study was to enhance understanding of the UCZ's impact on helping to prevent socio-economic and political conflicts from escalating into violence. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research involved individual and group interviews with diverse respondents including members of the Barotseland Agreement activists among whom were also members of the UCZ; current leaders of the UCZ; some political leaders and scholars who were also members of the UCZ during the conflict as well as leaders of the Church Mother Bodies. Data was analyzed through simultaneous coding, content analysis, and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the UCZ largely failed to engage meaningfully in the reconciliation process, exhibiting partiality and a lack of strategic planning, which resulted in its perceived role as a silent bystander during the conflict induced by the Barotseland Agreement. The study identified inefficiencies in the church's prophetic voice, suggesting that it did not adequately fulfill its moral obligation to promote peace and justice as authorized by its own Constitution. Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the UCZ's potential in peacebuilding and its capacity to influence national peace and reconciliation issues in Zambia. The study ends by making several recommendations including: the need for UCZ to adopt a policy of neutrality during national conflicts, develop a strategic plan for national reconciliation, and develop a platform for national dialogue with the government. Derrick Kalanga Gosnell L. Yorke Rosemary Chilufya ##submission.copyrightStatement## 2025-02-17 2025-02-17 4 2 74 89