How religion influences violence, by an agnostic teen

How would your worldview change if religion had vanished completely? Would it stay the same? Would it change radically? Could you even imagine such a situation? It’s a bit of a grand topic, and who’s going to let an agnostic teen tell them what religion is? But, to those with open ears, I think religion is not of the symbols of crosses or pentagrams, or pagan rituals, or even traditional celebrations of faith, but the sense of togetherness and community in shared morals. No matter what gods or goddesses you do or don’t believe in that same shared belief brings people together. But, as with any type of diverse community, conflicts arise between them. I would know; my mother’s Catholic. That same faith that brought people together tears others apart, and that’s far too apparent in our modern society. A question then arises: is religion worth the conflict?

Crimes and atrocities with religious influence span far past our modern age, and there’s a multitude of examples to choose from. From the Romans persecuting the Christians, the Salem Witch Trials, Aztec sacrifices, Christian Inquisitions, and the future violence in the name of religion, there come piles of spilled blood in the name of their deities. Even more modern examples are boundless; ISIS, Iran’s morality police, homophobia based on the testament, Bodu Bala Sena, and 969 Movement, etc. That all goes without mentioning the hate crimes that happen daily. Such examples of violence rooted in religion provide convincing evidence in opposition to religion. This type of violence is akin to nationalistic or racial violence, in which one group condemns another for their differences, denoted as the “other.” Despite having their faith most likely contradict their actions, their zeal becomes poisonous and hateful. Knowing this, is there an extent of how much blame towards the religion itself?

Yes, it’s easy to say there is religious influence, but one can also say that their faith prohibited such terrible actions. Perhaps the fault is on the perpetrators, and how they twisted their beliefs to fit their wicked morals, similar to nationalistic violence twisting patriotism. It is dependent on the individual to enact and follow their morals. Religion isn’t some brain-washing propaganda that hypnotizes an army to fight for it. With all of this in mind, it feels unfair to categorize the blame to simply one side. Yes, their religious values frown upon their actions, but if the violence is a continuous issue, then perhaps those same values were not imposed enough. For example, Odinism has had a recent reawakening within the white supremacist circle. Its ideals of action, revenge, and rightful warriors lend themselves well to Christianity’s message of forgiveness in the eyes of the hateful, incentivizing a violent push in their goal against “white genocide.” Religious extremists can be found within every religion, but which religions denounce them most critically? When said extremists mutate their faith, is it a harsh and malicious contortion, or some simple mending and a few loopholes? Is it the fault of the person, the religion, or the entirety of either?

As unceasing questions pile upon each other, anyone would question if there’s any solution; a rebuttal, or an answer to these lingering questions. What could end this flood of ambiguity? What would be the final solution? Is the only answer the eradication of religion? As it would sound, this too leads to extremities. Take North Korea and its enforcement of atheism. Any practitioners are thrown into labor camps. Their oppressive regime is notorious and their control over religious freedoms most definitely contributes. Thousands of people are silenced and suppressed because of their religious ideologies. That oppression is akin to the same conflict they are trying to prevent in the absolution of religion. Admittedly, that conflict can be just as oppressive and hateful in their enforcement of religion. In 30 countries, the head of state is required to be of a specific religious affirmation. In Burma, Rohingya Muslims are denied citizenship, and the government continues to turn a blind eye to hate crimes against them. They’ve even gone to the length of proposing 4 bills in opposition to religious freedoms. Iran’s aforementioned morality police continue to silence dissenters and discriminate against supposed “protected” minorities. To think that the end of religion would not bring up conflict on its own, even if such a thing is possible, is foolish, but to think that instead one true religion should be chosen is equally foolish. There’s no such thing as “finality” in the solution against religious conflict. It is a continued and complex answer. 

With all of this in mind, it is easy to lose sight of religion’s true purpose; to provide community and morality. It’s not as if all religions are hand-crafted to ensure violence and conflict; most are made with more simple and pure intentions. Bring clarity to the lost, bring belonging to the banished, bring ethics to the malleable. And, although I cannot state an exact number of how many wandering souls were reclaimed, I’m sure you could walk into a church or temple and they would tell you all about the community they’ve built there. Religion may not be a big part of my life, but it’s a core foundation for billions of people. According to the Pew Research Center, 85% of the world population affiliate with a religion, despite the growing non-affiliated population. Its expanse is unquestionable, regardless of whether we think it’s beneficial or not. 

A topic such as religion is hard to paint as black and white. It’s complex and vague, with no clear boundaries. Whether the fault lies in either man or god is dependent on each circumstance, but what we can do about either is dependent on the individual. It’s impossible to try and change all of humanity to stray towards peaceful resolutions, just as it’s impossible to try and change all of religion to preach the “correct” morals in such a way that nobody drifts off the chosen path. The best we can do is change ourselves, to be more understanding and welcoming, no matter the religious preference. Treat religion as you would with any important factor in one’s life. Keep an open mind. To take away religion would be as tyrannical and oppressive as the conflict you try to prevent. And I welcome you to go on your spiritual journey, even if it leads to atheism or even non-religious.