Violence in the name of religion

This is a very good discussion point, and comes from a very good angle. For most discussions on religous violence focus on violence and the religion as if they were intrinsicably linked. In this case, you have distanced the two. Firstly, we must remember that violence never was, and never will be a part of any true religion in its pure form. There is only very limited use of self defence permitted. Because Man's nature to be agressive, religions were often sent as calming mechanisms for humans to follow, living peacefully side by side, worshipin the One God. This is the purpose of religion. Yet Man keeps fighting, whether it be political, wealth, honor, religion, power seems to engulf the weaker man into a state of frenzied irresponsibility. Only codes of practice, Treaties, Laws, and constitutional governance has abated much of these practices. Good policing and uncorrupt officials make a society function marginalising crime. Yet when we give ruthless Kings, or dictators freedom to govern, surrounded by henchmen, the leader becomes a madman. The Christian Crusaders were examples of attrocities committed by Christians in a mad rush of crazy revenge, pride and power in the name of religion. The troubles in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants in the name of religion. The so-called Muslims who blow up themselves and others in the middle of the street somehow think they have a shortcut to heaven, except they end up in hell. All these examples and others are simply miseducated preachers of the religions who somehow interpret their religion as if permission is granted for violence. For example, radiclised young Muslims get very excited and agitated when the Imam preaches hate. Why? Because they do not read the Quran for themselves or study the religion enough to debate it correctly. A Mullah therefore, is able to preach very easily to these vunerable Muslims. It is the same with many Americans, who see Islam as just the face of terrorism without have feeling the need to research or see what actually is the teaching and how distant it is from reality. Another aspect to note is that religous institutions need not be mixed with political ones once established. Religions should be free to believe as they wish with their allegiances, and political institutions should also govern where necessary. Mutual respect, and the respect for the law, constitution of the nation and religous freedoms will by and large keep the institutions parallelly apart. It is when these are not recognised or respected, religous violence between various groups can easily occur especially if the law enforcement authorities are weak. I was watching a video the other day of a group of thugs in Indonesia who began attacking a house belonging to minority sect, the police were outnumbered and standing by. Three occupants were stripped naked and taken outside to be constantly beaten with sticks and stones whilst crowds and onlookers were standing as were the police. Horrific seens followed where the three men lost their lives. The reason, because they chose to believe in a particular faith.

I agree in a civilized country all religions would be accepted as long as then respect the ways of each other. In some countries the young are taught by fanatics and and they believe that to gain power they must attack all who do not believe exactly as they do and see the fanatic as the leader.

advokatku, While I have to agree with you completely where you said and I quote: "A civilized nation is a nation that recognizes the differences in religion. Therefore, the State with all its authority should be able to provide protection to all citizens regardless of whether they are as followers of minority religions as well as the majority." But, let me stop you here by saying that terrorism is unconventional and/or totally against any war conventions which is so hard or never easy to detect and prevent. I mean look at all the attacks where innocent looking everyday young men, women and/or children were used. Yet, the religious authorities and worse fellow followers are not being forthwith and upfront with these bigotry radicals, where people like you and I are wondering for its reason(s) behind it. Sad, right?

some violent people doi git in nam eof religon, but everybody gets abad name.

We need religion because we are unable to live as human. We take pride in calling ourselves as human, but the truth is that we live according to our base nature. The original motive of every religion was to help man live according to his given nature. However, we see religion is doing something to the contrary. It has made us live and fight with each other as animal. Custodians of the religion are to be blamed for this. They want that their religion must have the greatest number of followers. Their main aim is to convert others to their own religion. All this conflict is because we instead of using the religion as a crutch to help us walk on the path of righteousness are using it as a crutch to attack other.

I believe that violence is based on the person thought and not religion. So, I don't believe those who claimed that doing the violence things to other people in the name of god. The urge to harm other people were in their brain only and they choose religion to make it sounds acceptable. And yes, the authority was the one responsible with any violence that harm the people if they just sit and allowed it to happen.

A civilized nation and society must always have complete separation of state and church, so to speak. Interference of the powerful in the personal religion of the people, has always wrecked havoc... previously it was the kings and now we have governments, who like to dictate what people can follow and what they cant. In other secular nations, govts somehow give more preference to particular sects to get more votes. People have always been misusing religion to serve their own purpose.

I am all for non violent protest. If only more people would follow that path...

I agree totally. There will never peace as long as battles are fought on the basis of religion. It's not that I think that religion is wrong...I just think that everyone has the right to believe what they do without being punished for it.

Very sad, there is violence in the name of religion. We all know, religion never teaches violence. Where, religious knowledge they have acquired. They act like people who do not understand religion. It's very sad.

I can not blame certain religion for it. For any one who do it just a snob who think they helping God. Thats why I call it Snob because do you think God need help to make every think right. Are they think God thats week or small, He is run the universe?. Its really sad to know any one who claim them self religious person but do such act, put them self higher than God. Thats person really Oxymoron if they think by making violence and hurt His creature is doing good thing. I think God allowed bad thing to happen because He has plant it and I believe its a good one.