Question

Is there any room for violent action in religion? When might it be acceptable to commit an act of violence? What event in history might support your view?

Answer 1

Violence can be described as an act carried out by using physical strength to inflict injury, hurt or slay someone. Violence is an illegal act and is punishable. It has a deep-rooted connection in destitution, unemployment, racial discrimination, lack of literacy, domestic violence and abuse, disturbed childhood due to lack of parental guidance and love and fanaticism. Violence is not unavoidable. Religions were brought into existence for the purpose of making human beings ethical and also to bring peace and harmony in the society. But the irony is that these religions resort to take the support of violence to make people follow them.

Religion can be described as an ideology which advocates the belief in divinity and the followers of a particular religion have to adhere to the set of beliefs, practices, rites and rituals and customs preached by it. No original or sacred texts of any religions preach the use of violence. On the contrary, all religions extol peace, harmony, liberty and to lead a pious, moral, spiritual and humble life. Violence is unacceptable and not endorsed by any religion.

But, religious violence is not a new concept. It is an act of violence mainly conducted due to intolerance about other religions and is carried out against the places of worship and people of different religious faith. History is rife with many instances of violent struggles in the name of religion. Religious violence is still prevalent on a large scale and is emerging as the main reason for violence in the world. Our world is progressing with many technological advancements and awareness among people, but this development does not have any effect on the reduction of violence perpetrated on religious grounds. Some people are religious fanatics who misinterpret their religious doctrines and unleash a series of violent and destructive acts against others. These people do not have any remorse in killing and harming several innocent lives. They justify their abominable acts by citing their distorted version of religious convictions. There is no place for violent action in any religion, which is genuinely formed to preach the teachings of God.

It is undesirable to accept violence as a means to achieve some gains. But sometimes, certain situations put a person or group of people in a situation where violence seems the only way. For example, a person encounters a shooter, who is on a shooting spree and killing people. This person is hidden from the view of the shooter and possesses a weapon, then shooting the terrorist seems to be a plausible action. Even though it is a violent act, killing or harming a person in self-defense or the defense of innocent people is not considered as violence, if there is absolutely no other way to contain the violence. The violent acts by the terrorists should not be tolerated and are to be dealt with seriously, as these terrorists lack any remorse, guilt and conscience and kill people to fuel their selfish motives. Such acts of terrorism warrant the use of violence in curbing and wiping out terrorism which is destroying the world peace.

The barbaric terrorist act carried out on September 11, 2001 was an example of violence inflicted on America by the coward terrorists, who killed thousands of innocent lives. This incident influenced the American government to fortify their security measures and carry out a full-fledged attack against the terrorists.  American forces battered the terrorists who took refuge in Afghanistan and Iraq. There are many instances in our world history where wars against terrorists and enemies of mankind are fought. Many of these terrorists are incited by their religious heads, who brain-wash the terrorist to lash out against people of different faiths. Neither money nor any other materialistic things are the motivation for these terrorists, but these terrorists are so insanely obsessed with their religious dogmas that they create havoc in the lives of peace-loving citizens. No form of cajoling or milder threats seem to convert the terrorists minds to stop their dastardly acts. In such cases, use of violence seems to be the only answer to stop these radicals from perpetrating violence.