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Religion and Violence: A Challenge to the Unity of the Churches
Abstract
The article explores the relationship between religion and violence—both in the
role religion has played in overcoming violence and in sometimes being at the
heart of violence. Recent Indian history of religiously fuelled violence is the case
study in this article. Additionally, the history of Christianity is dotted with violence—
imperialism and colonialism have been justified by some historians. This
should be the basis for a challenge to the imperial and implicitly ‘Christian’
designs that accompany the present war against Iraq.
The Bible and Christian theology contain violent images. There is ambiguity
in defining violence, because sometimes it is difficult to name the more subtle
forms of violence. The authority of the Church is questioned as it has sometimes
been silent about the violence within its own life.
The Churches need to engage in intra-Christian dialogue so as to mutually
focus on the ministry of reconciliation and healing. The Churches need also to
engage in inter-religious dialogue, recognizing a common spirituality of nonviolence
present in all religions.
role religion has played in overcoming violence and in sometimes being at the
heart of violence. Recent Indian history of religiously fuelled violence is the case
study in this article. Additionally, the history of Christianity is dotted with violence—
imperialism and colonialism have been justified by some historians. This
should be the basis for a challenge to the imperial and implicitly ‘Christian’
designs that accompany the present war against Iraq.
The Bible and Christian theology contain violent images. There is ambiguity
in defining violence, because sometimes it is difficult to name the more subtle
forms of violence. The authority of the Church is questioned as it has sometimes
been silent about the violence within its own life.
The Churches need to engage in intra-Christian dialogue so as to mutually
focus on the ministry of reconciliation and healing. The Churches need also to
engage in inter-religious dialogue, recognizing a common spirituality of nonviolence
present in all religions.