The separation of church and state does not always prevent violence in the name of religion from "summary" of The Myth of Religious Violence by William T Cavanaugh
The idea that the separation of church and state will prevent violence in the name of religion is a common assumption in modern Western societies. This assumption rests on the belief that if religion is confined to the private sphere, it will not have the power to incite violence in the public realm. However, history shows that this assumption is not always accurate. One example that challenges this assumption is the French Revolution, where the state attempted to suppress the Catholic Church in an effort to create a secular society. This led to violent conflicts between revolutionaries and Catholics, showing that the separation of church and state does not always prevent violence in the name of religion. Similarly, in the United States, where there is a strong separation of church and state, religiously motivated violence has still occurred. For example, the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s was deeply intertwined with religious beliefs, and violence was committed in the name of religion, despite the separation of church and state. Moreover, the idea of the separation of church and state is not a universal one and may not apply in non-Western societies. In many parts of the world, religion plays a central role in politics and society, and attempts to separate the two may actually lead to more violence, as seen in conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia.- While the separation of church and state can be a valuable principle in promoting religious freedom and preventing the use of religion to justify violence, it is not a foolproof solution. History shows that violence in the name of religion can occur even in societies where there is a clear separation between the two. It is important to recognize the complexities of the relationship between religion and politics and to approach the issue with nuance and understanding.
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