The binary of "religious vs secular violence" is too simplistic and fails to capture the nuance of conflicts from "summary" of The Myth of Religious Violence by William T Cavanaugh
The distinction between "religious" and "secular" violence is often presented as a clear-cut binary, with religious violence being viewed as inherently irrational, divisive, and dangerous, while secular violence is seen as more rational, justifiable, and manageable. However, this binary oversimplifies the complexities of conflicts and fails to capture the nuances of violence in different contexts. Religion is often scapegoated as the root cause of violence, with political and economic factors being downplayed or ignored. This simplistic view ignores the ways in which religious identities are often intertwined with other social, political, and economic factors, leading to a more nuanced understanding of conflicts. By reducing violence to a simple religious vs. secular dichotomy, we risk overlooking the multiple causes and dynamics at play in conflicts. Moreover, the idea of religious violence as inherently irrational and secular violence as rational is based on a false dichotomy. In reality, both religious and secular actors can employ rational strategies to achieve their goals, whether they be political, economic, or social. Violence is a complex phenomenon that cannot be neatly categorized as religious or secular, rational or irrational. By focusing solely on the religious vs. secular divide, we overlook the ways in which violence is often a result of historical, social, and political factors that transcend simplistic categories. Understanding conflicts requires a more nuanced approach that takes into account the multifaceted nature of violence and the diverse motivations of conflict actors.- The binary of "religious vs secular violence" is too simplistic and fails to capture the complexity and nuance of conflicts. By moving beyond this binary and embracing a more nuanced understanding of violence, we can better analyze and address the root causes of conflicts in a more thoughtful and effective manner.
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