Analysis of Hermann Haring´s Religion: A Source of Violence

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In Hermann Häring’s, Religion as a Source of Violence: Overcoming Violence in the Name of Religion (Christianity and Islam) and Working Hard to Overcome Violence in the Name of Religion, he focuses on the notion of violence in the name of religion and the role of religion in the name of peace. All religions know violence and killing are unacceptable, but when religion is questioned or disputed, violence is used as a means to protect ones authenticity or credibility. Violence is no longer an acceptable means to reconcile conflict. The use of non-violent tactics, communication, and formal steps to settle conflicts should be enforced to overcome violence and show reconciliation for past conflicts to create solidarity and trust amongst different religions.
Hermann Häring’s argues that religion only leads to violence when it is combined with other factors. In relation to the articles, when religion is combined with power it can lead to violence. Häring shows this relationship of violence and power with the Catholic and Islamic religions. Both have gained power over time with the use of violence. They are guilty of provoking and practicing violence to gain power and political action. The legacy of violence and religion begun at the beginning of Christianity and Islam. Both religions have showed an unwillingness to accept views other than their own and have shown inconsistent behavior with their own beliefs. The Christian religion is a religion of peace, love of one’s neighbor and one’s enemy (93). Islam is the belief of devoting oneself to the Will of God. Islam is concerned with the active shaping of a just world (95). Historically it was once a crime to commit heresy against the common belief of the community. Individuals who oppose...

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...d religion be taught in schools to help promote understanding of religion and to eliminate regions hatreds and myth that could lead to future animosity and genocide activity?
If the notion of Christianity is to love one’s neighbor and enemy, and history shows that Christianity is a religion deeply imbedded in violence, then why has nothing been done to stop war in the name of Christianity? If this violence and hatred has dated this far back, why hasn’t the church become more involved in restoring the churches image?

Works Cited

Beuken, Wim, and Karl-Josef Kuschel. "Overcoming Violence in the Name of Religion (Christianity and Islam)" Religion as a Source of Violence. London: SCM, 1997. 81-91. Print.

Beuken, Wim, and Karl-Josef Kuschel. "Working Hard to Overcome Violence in the Name of Religion." Religion as a Source of Violence. London: SCM, 1997. 93-109. Print.

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