Is it ever justified to take up arms in the name of religion?
Throughout history, generals on all sides of military conflicts have claimed divine backing for their cause. They couldn't all have been right but were any of them justified in fighting for their faith?
The 21st century has brought violent conflicts and acts of terror across the world, carried out in the name of religions: Christians against Muslims; Muslims against Jews; Hindus against Muslims; Buddhists against Hindus; Hindus against Christians...
There are bitter debates within these religious: some say violence is necessary to defend their beliefs and traditions; others say that violence undermines their beliefs and traditions.
Some examples
- Fundamentalist Christian George W Bush says that God told him to invade Afghanistan and Iraq.
- The New Testament says: 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.'
- The word Islam has several meanings including 'peace' and 'submission'.
- One response to the US occupation of Iraq has been suicide bombings by Muslims who believe that Allah wants them to be martyrs in defence of Islam.
- Religious Jews long for Isaiah's prophecy of peace and coexistence to come true.
- Orthodox settlers in the Occupied Territories believe that God gave that land to them and that they must defend it in His name, even if it means killing Palestinian civilians.
- Jesus said: 'Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.'
- When the Catholics re-conquered Spain in the 15th century, they gave Jews and Muslims a choice: become Christians, be massacred or leave.
- Some Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka who believe that Christians are undermining their traditions, attack churches and want to prevent people from converting to Christianity.
- An ancient Buddhist verse says: 'Hatred is never appeased by hatred. Hatred is only appeased by Love. This is an eternal law.'
- Gandhi, political and spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, pioneered non-violent resistance through mass civil disobedience.
- In the Hindu text, Bhagavad gita, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna that it is his duty to wage war.
- The Black American Christian leader, Martin Luther King Jr, was committed to non-violence in the campaign for civil rights for all. He was assassinated at the age of 39.
What do you think?
Is it ever justified to take up arms in the name of religion?
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