CAN RELIGION BE A CAUSE OF CONFLICT? Cover Image

МОЖЕ ЛИ РЕЛИГИЈА БИТИ УЗРОК СУКОБА?
CAN RELIGION BE A CAUSE OF CONFLICT?

Author(s): Stefan Antić
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Jewish studies, Theology and Religion, Islam studies, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Centar za empirijska istraživanja religije (CEIR)
Keywords: religion; conflict; war; violence; religious conflicts; monotheism; Christianity; Islam; Judaism

Summary/Abstract: The paper represents a theoretical exploration of contemporary conflict assumptions that, indirectly or directly, emphasize the close connection between religion and conflict. The main goal of the paper is to answer the question of whether religion can be a cause of conflict in the modern world. However, the paper also provides answers to a series of secondary but equally important questions: Is monotheism an intolerant form of religion? Does the Bible represent a source of violence? Is religious division a basis for conflict causation? In addition, considering the frequent and easy use of the qualifier “religious,” the author explains the phenomenon of “violence in the name of faith,” which is often encountered in reports from war-affected areas. Since various sources and works from different scientific disciplines were used during the research, an appropriate categorical apparatus of each scientific discipline was applied to analyze each scientific field. Therefore, in addition to general logical methods (analysis, classification, induction, deduction, reasoning), the paper also uses several specific scientific methods such as the historical-critical method, comparative approach, context of use, etc. Based on the conducted research, the author concludes that contemporary “religious” conflicts are not inherent to society, but their causality is not in religion but in the abuse of religion.

  • Issue Year: 22/2024
  • Issue No: 41
  • Page Range: 123-136
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Serbian