INTRODUCTION TO WORLD

RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

MODULE 3
RELIGIOUS WARS
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF
RELIGION
Religion has become a very important aspect in the development
of civilizations and cultures. In fact, most ancient societies, based
their worldviews on religion, and it has proven to be beneficial to
the attainment and maintenance of social stability and
cohesiveness. However, as time went by religion has also become
the basis of conflicts between societies, even within societies.
While religion has promoted social solidarity among societies, it
has also been the reason behind the outbreak of particular wars
in history.
CHRISTIANITY VS ISLAM
HINDUS VS MUSLIMS
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM
FUNDAMENTALISM MAY LEAD TO
EXTREMISM OR TERRORISM
POSITIVE EFFECTS
 Religion promotes social harmony
 Religion provides moral values
 Religion reduces fear of the unknown
 Religion gives positive goals in life
 Religion gives people a sense of belonging
 Religion provides social change
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
 Religion affirms social hierarchy
 Religion triggers conflicts and fights
 Religion causes discrimination
 Religion as an economic tool for exploiting the
masses
 Religion impedes scientific success and
development
 Religion obstructs the use of reason
CATHOLICS VS PROTESTANTS
RELIGION SYMBOLS
HISTORICAL EVENTS CAUSED BY
RELIGION
Here are some of the historical events that
are caused by religion.
Self – Immolation of a Buddhist Monk in Vietnam
Self – immolation, or the killing of oneself as a form of sacrifice,
originally referred to as the act of setting oneself on fire. But
now it refers to a much wider range of suicidal choices
such as leaping off a cliff, starvation, or ritual removal of the guts ( also
known as seppuku ). It is used as a form of political protest or martyrdom.
The case of self – immolation reported by the Western media was that
of a Buddhist monk named Thich Quang Duc in Vietnam in 1963, who set
himself on fire in the middle of a street in South Vietnam. This was done in
protest against the religious discrimination being experienced by the Buddhists
in Vietnam.
According to the Buddhists, after this incident and even after his
cremation his heart remained intact, which they interpreted as a sign of his
great compassion.
Widow Burning Among the Hindus in India
 Sati, or the practice of self-immolation of a widow on her
husband’s funeral pyre, is said to have originated 700 years ago
in India.
It is believed to have started among the ruling class or rajputs in India,
when the rajput women burnt themselves to death after their men were
defeated in battles to avoid being taken by the conquerors. Later on, it has
become a manifestation of wifely devotion.
It has been outlawed by the British rulers in 1829 but rare cases still
continue to occur.
In 2006, a Hindu woman was reported to have committed sati in
Tulispar village in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
THE INQUISITION
The Episcopal Inquisition The Papal Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
 The Inquisition refers to the Roman Catholic Church groups charged
with subduing heresy from around 1184, which includes the Episcopal
Inquisition ( 1184 – 1230s ) and the Papal Inquisition ( 1230s ).
The Inquisition was a response to large popular movements in Europe
considered heretical or profane to Christianity.
Heresy – belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious ( especially
Christian ) doctrine
The word “inquisition,” has somehow become associated with the word
“torture.” This is because after 1252, torture was used to punish the heretics.
On May 15, a papal bull was issued by Pope Innocent IV, the Ad exstirpanda,
which authorized the use of torture by inquisitors. One common form of
torture was the strappado, wherein the hands were bound behind the back with
a rope, and the accused was suspended this way, dislocating the joints
painfully in both arms.
THE GODHRA TRAIN INCIDENT OF 2002
THE GODHRA TRAIN INCIDENT OF 2002
 In February 2002, a train was set on fire in which 59 people,
including 25 women and 15 children, were killed.
The fire happened inside the Sabarmati Express train near the Godhra
railway station in the Indian state of Gujarat. Those who died inside the train
were mostly Hindu pilgrims and activists returning from the holy city of
Ayodhya after a religious ceremony at the disputed Babri Masjid site.
It took six years for the commission appointed to investigate the said
incident to conclude that the fire was committed by a mob of 1000 – 2000
people. Thirty-one Muslims were convicted by the court for the incident and
conspiracy for the crime.
The Godhra train incident in 2002 was seen as a Muslim retaliation for
the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992.
POINT FOR REFLECTION:
End of Module 3