Summary of The Myth of Religious Violence

The Myth of Religious Violence is a book by William Cavanaugh that challenges the popular notion that religion is the primary source of violence and warfare throughout history. Cavanaugh argues that the idea of “religious violence” is actually a modern invention and that religion has not been the cause of most wars and conflict. He claims that the idea of “religious violence” is used to support imperial and colonial agendas, and that it is used as a tool to differentiate between “civilized” and “uncivilized” societies. Cavanaugh further argues that religion can be a source of peace, not violence, and can be used to challenge the status quo. He provides numerous examples throughout history to illustrate his point. Ultimately, The Myth of Religious Violence makes a compelling argument and provides an alternate way of looking at the role of religion in society.