"If we want to get rid of violence we have to get rid of human beings. It has nothing to do with religion, it has to do with us."It seems to me that Ramadan is largely right, but with this provision: Religion is a great enabler. In that respect, it is like dynamite. Dynamite is also an enabler.
--Tariq Ramadan
Sometimes dynamite is used for good, such as when it enables a farmer to efficiently remove a tree stump from his field. And sometimes dynamite is used for evil, such as when it enables a terrorist to efficiently blow up a school bus. In either case, dynamite enables more to be done than might otherwise be the case.
Religion is much the same: It is a great enabler that sometimes enables good, and sometimes enables evil. So, while I agree with Ramadan that the roots of violence are predominantly in human nature, rather than in religion, I believe that religion can -- under certain circumstances -- enable much greater violence than might otherwise be the case.
(H/T: Eruesso at A God-Sized Puzzle.)
I'd have to agree with you there. If nothing else, religion can be said to be one more thing which humans can fight about, and often do. So having religion ensures more violence than without it, yet would not ensure peace without it. And the measure of strength in motivation religion can bring about gives it the potential to be much more damaging than nearly any other motivator in the world.
ReplyDelete"So having religion ensures more violence than without it, yet would not ensure peace without it."
ReplyDeleteVery well said, Wise Fool!