Week 10 Lecture

Ambivalence of the Sacred

Ambivalence of the Sacred

The concept that religious actors can have opposing views on the use of violence, with both violent and non-violent acts being justified through religion.

Holy War

Warfare fought for religious purposes, often by divine command or to defend and promote a particular religion.

Jihad

The struggle or striving in Islam, which can refer to both a political or militant struggle to defend Islam (lesser jihad) and an inward striving for inner peace (greater jihad).

Just War

Warfare fought for the sake of peace, with the aim of limiting violence, war, and human rights abuses. It involves principles such as just cause, legitimate authority, right intention, last resort, reasonable chance of success, proportionality, non-combatant immunity, and proportionate means.

Milhemet Mitzvah

An obligatory war in Judaism, primarily focused on self-defense and defensive wars, with guidelines for pursuing peace.

Pacifism

Opposition to war and participation in war, with a commitment to peace and non-violence.

Hisma and Ahimsa

In Hinduism, Hisma refers to violence, while Ahimsa refers to non-violence. Ahimsa emphasizes harmlessness, non-injury, and non-killing, promoting compassion and love.

Just Peacemaking

A theory that focuses on practices for abolishing war and promoting peace, including non-violent direct action, cooperative conflict resolution, acknowledging responsibility and seeking forgiveness, advancing human rights and religious liberties, fostering economic development, strengthening international efforts, reducing weapons, and encouraging grassroots associations.

Terrorism

Acts of violence aimed at making political or religious statements, often involving motivation, identification with a supporting group, and specific means or targets.

Nationalist Terrorism

Terrorism driven by political goals, aiming to form separate states for national groups and fighting for national liberation.

Religious Terrorism

Terrorism driven by religious purposes, seeking to further a divinely commanded purpose and often targeting broad categories of opponents to bring about sweeping change.

Grievances That Give Rise to Religious Terrorism

Factors such as alienation, humiliation, historical wrongs, claims over territories, history, politics, economics, and social and cultural dimensions that contribute to the rise of religious terrorism.

Logic of Religious Violence

The idealization of a pre-existing order, rejection of the current order, and implementation of a new order through the use of violence, as described by Mark Juergensmeyer.

Possible Solutions to Religious Violence

Destroying violence, terrifying terrorists, violence winning, and separating religion from politics or using religion to heal political wounds, as proposed by Mark Juergensmeyer.