Title: Backsliding From the Worship of God as a Problem Among University Students in Tanzania: A Case Study of the Chaplaincy of Teofilo Kisanji University in Mbeya

Authors: Gwamaka Kabuje and Elia Shabani Mligo*

 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Teofilo Kisanji University, P.O. Box 1104, Mbeya, United Republic of Tanzania.
*Correspondence: eshamm2015@gmail.com

Abstract

One important aspect in human beings is the ability to make decision in the midst of choices. Human beings are surrounded by good and evil, right and wrong. The way human beings select what to act and not act matters greatly. There are times when human beings prefer and will to do good actions, yet act contrary to their noble wills. There are times when human beings will to do evil, yet do contrary to their wills. Human freewill and human action are great determinants of human nature, which poses a challenge when it comes to the divine mandate to do well. This article examines the concept of Christian backsliding in Christian worship services among university students in Tanzania. What causes most university students backslide from attending worships services and morning devotions? A qualitative study was conducted at Teofilo Kisanji University to ascertain the possible reasons for their backsliding. It uses Plato’s and Aristotle’s theory of akrasia as its guiding perspective and qualitative interviewing as its method for gathering research data. Research results indicate that there are a variety of reasons that cause students backslide from worship services, all based on human akratic (weak-willed) state. The article suggests that serious and intentional placement of psychologists in universities is necessary to mitigated students unstable decisions caused by their akratic (weak-willed) consciences leading to weak-willed actions in various situations apart from backsliding in church worship services.

Keywords: Backsliding; Church worship service; Akrasia; Akratic (weak-willed) action; Research participant; Teofilo Kisanji University