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Document Details : Title: Does Religion Cause Violence? Author(s): TIRIMANNA, Vimal Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Date: 2007 Pages: 5-19 DOI: 10.2143/SID.17.1.2022748 Abstract : This article analyzes the question of whether religion causes violence. It examines first the ability or potential of religion to inspire violence, and then highlights the unique ability of religions to bestow collective identity on their adherents, an identity which can not only rally people together but also mobilize them. However, our conclusion is that although religion possesses both the ability to inspire violence and to bestow a collective identity, by itself religion is not responsible for the violence caused in our world. Our point is that there are other social-cultural-political-economic factors that contribute to the rise of violence. In connection with these factors, religion can be used or abused by vested interests as catalysts to activate those factors that already exist. In this sense religion is not a cause of violence, although it can be a factor, for the causes of violence are not linear and simple but circular and complicated. |
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