Religious Violence – Part One by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Religious Violence – Part One

In the current world climate, there is a lot of talk about those who are committing attacks of religious violence and those who are suffering. It is hard to define religious violence simply. But, in an attempt towards a working definition it has been proposed,

“…here violence that is somehow directly sanctioned by religious authorities – leaders or councils, rituals, myths, symbols, or sacred texts.”[1]

The religious extremist has always been around, although lately, appearing more prominent due to the media. Since the fall of humanity, the world has experienced violence. An example of this can be found in Genesis 4:8, where Cain murdered Abel on religious grounds, early in the recorded humanity.

The media can be inclined to respond to real Christ-followers or even violent religious groups in a way that demonises them. This can be through websites, newspapers, news programs etc., using language like,

“Religiously-motivated abuse, violence, murder, mass murder, terrorism & genocide.”[2]

Over the years, Christ-followers (and the various religious groups) have been targeted by media hype, accused of causing much of the world’s violence. In his book, William Cavanaugh opposes this opinion, arguing that violence,

“…comes in two primary directions”:

1) He argues that “ideologies and institutions labelled ‘secular’ can be just as violent as those labelled ‘religious;’” 2) He argues that the “twin categories of religious and secular” are constructs which are used to “provide secular social orders with a stock character, the religious fanatic, to serve as enemy.”[3]

So, yes, there have been and will always be those who are religiously motivated and will be violent. But, any violence needs to be kept in context. This is specifically within the framework of the sinful nature of fallen humanity. It is not just Christ-followers that sin; it is everyone. Paul, in the letter to the Romans has stated,

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Rom 3:23 NLT)

Sin is sin, and everyone (other than Jesus Christ) is affected by it; the Christ-follower, the religious and the champion of secularism. Consequently, Cavanaugh is correct when he says,

“…so-called secular ideologies and institutions like nationalism and liberalism can be just as absolutist, divisive, and irrational as those called religious. People kill for all sorts of things…the religious-secular division remains a highly contestable point.”[4]

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over. To be continued…

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[1] McClymond, Michael J. & Freedman, David N. “Religious Traditions, Violence and Nonviolence.” In Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, and Conflict. (2^nd Ed.). Lester R. Kurtz (Ed.). (San Diego CA: Academic Pres, 2008), 1864.

[2] “Religious peace and conflict.” http://www.religioustolerance.org/relviol.htm (14^th October 2014)

[3] Cavanaugh, William T. The Myth of Religious Violence. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2009), 3-5. CF. also “Book Review: ‘The Myth of Religious Violence’ by William Cavanaugh.” http://jwwartick.com/2012/09/06/mrv-cavanaugh/ (14^th October 2014)

[4] Cavanaugh, The Myth of Religious Violence, 3, 8, 9.