Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious ViolenceIs religion inherently violent? If not, what provokes violence in the name of religion? Do we mischaracterize religion by focusing too much on its violent side? In this intriguing, original study of religious violence, Prof. Hector Avalos offers a new theory for the role of religion in violent conflicts. Starting with the premise that most violence is the result of real or perceived scarce resources, Avalos persuasively argues that religion creates new scarcities on the basis of unverifiable or illusory criteria. Through a careful analysis of the fundamental texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Dr. Avalos explains how four "scarce" resources have figured repeatedly in creating religious violence: sacred space (churches, temples, holy cities); the creation of holy scriptures (exclusive revelations); group privilege (chosen people, the predestined select few); and salvation (only some are saved). Thus, Avalos shows, religious violence is often the most unnecessary violence of all since the scarce resources over which religious conflicts ensue are not actually scarce or need not be scarce. Comparing violence in religious and nonreligious contexts, Avalos makes the compelling argument that if we condemn violence caused by scarce resources as morally objectionable, then we must consider even more objectionable violence provoked by alleged scarcities that cannot be proven to exist. Moreover, he shows how many modern academic biblical scholars and scholars of religion maintain the value of sacred texts despite their violence. This serious philosophical examination of the roots of religious violence adds much to our understanding of a perennial source of widespread human suffering. |
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Page 74
... David Singer and Melvin Small , The Wages of War 1816–1965 : A Statistical Handbook ( New York : Wiley , 1972 ) , p . 8 . 83. For the now numerous examples of these studies , see the COW Web site bibliography , http://www ...
... David Singer and Melvin Small , The Wages of War 1816–1965 : A Statistical Handbook ( New York : Wiley , 1972 ) , p . 8 . 83. For the now numerous examples of these studies , see the COW Web site bibliography , http://www ...
Page 313
... David and brought tribute ” ( 2 Sam . 8 : 2 ) . In other words , David kills the strongest , and spares those who would pose the least threat . Those saved , however , are kept as slaves . Susan Niditch comments that it seems " as if David ...
... David and brought tribute ” ( 2 Sam . 8 : 2 ) . In other words , David kills the strongest , and spares those who would pose the least threat . Those saved , however , are kept as slaves . Susan Niditch comments that it seems " as if David ...
Page 401
... David Schroeder . Winnipeg , MB : CMBC Publications , 1990 . Hume , David . Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding . Edited by P. H. Nidditch . Oxford : Clarendon Press , 1975 . Hunter , David G. “ The Christian Church and the Roman ...
... David Schroeder . Winnipeg , MB : CMBC Publications , 1990 . Hume , David . Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding . Edited by P. H. Nidditch . Oxford : Clarendon Press , 1975 . Hunter , David G. “ The Christian Church and the Roman ...
Contents
Abbreviations | 11 |
PAST EXPLANATIONS OF VIOLENCE | 37 |
Modern Theories of Violence | 53 |
Copyright | |
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actually ancient anti-Judaism argue argument becomes believe biblical called Cambridge cause century Christian Church claim clear course created critical Crusades Culture David death discussion early especially essential example exist explain fact fight force Hebrew Bible Hitler Holy human Ibid idea important interpretation Islam Israel Jerusalem Jesus Jewish Jews jihad John Judaism killing king land least live LORD means Mein Kampf moral Muhammad Muslim nature Nazi notes original peace person political privileging problem provides Qur'an reason recent refers regard religion religious religious violence René Girard represents response result sacred space salvation says scarce resource scholars scriptures secular seems seen simply social society sources speak specific temple Testament theory thought tion traditions trans translation University Press verifiable violence Yahweh York