O level Notes : FRS - Religion And Conflict Management - Impact of Conflict

Impact of conflict

Whatever may be the validity of religious discord one cannot overlook the divisive and destructive tendencies that are hidden in many religions. The problem is mostly with organized religions which wield considerable influence upon their followers. Religions are essentially human inventions. They draw their inspiration from divine revelations but mix up the revelatory knowledge with human values, myth and mythology to give the impression that they carry within themselves the authority of God to mould the lives of people, their choices, beliefs and behaviour.

The negative influence of religions upon human actions and human beings cannot be denied or ignored. Religions are thus a mixture of light and darkness. They are vulnerable to misuse and exploitation by vested groups. As the products of collective egos, they create in people conflicting feelings of being with them or against them.

Religious conflict incites strong passions in weak minds, which can be easily exploited by vested interests. They sow seeds of division to their followers which can lead to religious and communal stratification of society. They also encourage loyalty and submission to scriptural authority, which can be misused by traditional power groups to play with the emotions of their followers. They justify the propagation of their faith, offering heavenly rewards to those who indulge in it. Some even justify violent methods against those who disagree or disobey. It brings them into direct conflict with each other and sets the stage for discord and unrest.

Furthermore, they encourage blind faith and suppress freedom of inquiry, which in turn may lead to superstition, irrational thinking and justification of practices that oppose the values of humanity. After such conflicts with the death of many innocent souls, children are left orphans while mothers and fathers are left widows and widowers. There is destruction of homes and infrastructure leaving the nation in debt. Many people are left crippled for life. Religious conflict will leave the nation in a state of hardship or depression.

These problems are mostly caused by the adherence of the religion, rather than the religion itself. If people are ignorant, impure and evil-minded, they are going to misuse their faith for personal ends. They fail to exemplify the values which they are expected to uphold. It is as if having a religious identity or affiliation is more important than practising it or expressing it through one's behaviour, personality and conduct.

RELIGION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

It should be noted that as much as religion has been used to influence conflict, it also can be used to manage it. This is so as no religion favours conflict. As such, religion can also undeniably claim a significant role in helping communities resolve differences, in advancing international human rights, in overcoming great injustices and in encouraging peaceful management of conflict.

Religion should play its part of bringing peace and reconciliation in case of religious conflict. In many conflict situations, religion's role is to promote an awareness of positive peace building. Interfaith dialogue is beneficial at all levels of religious hierarchies and across all segments of religious communities.

Being educated about other religions does not mean conversion but may facilitate understanding and respect for other faiths. Communicating in a spirit of humility and engaging in self-criticism would also be helpful. So, religion makes sure this is done. Coward and Smith (1997), use the term religious peace building to describe a range of activities performed by religious actors and institutions for the purpose of resolving and transforming deadly conflict, with the goal of building social and political institutions characterized by tolerance and non violence. Religion is often, though not always; an important factor in conflict and social tension, and thus it often needs to be part of the solution during periods of rebuilding.

Here is what we discussed in this topic

Religion is believed to be one of the causes of religious conflict. Religious violence may be directed against people, religious institutions, cultural symbols, leaders of the faiths and authority figures. It has been taken up as a tool for political

and ethnic mobilization purposes. Yet, once religion has been utilized, politicized and manipulated, it can decrease the chances of setting an armed conflict peacefully. Scripture, beliefs, politics, exploitation, ideology among others are the causes of religious conflict which will leave the nation in a state of hardship or depression. However, after such a time of hardship and stress caused by conflict, people  may  sit  down,  negotiate  and  reconcile. As  such,  religion  can  also undeniably claim a significant role in helping communities resolve differences, in advancing international human rights, in overcoming great injustices and in encouraging  peaceful  management  of  conflict.  In  many  conflict  situations, religion's role is to promote an awareness of positive peace building.

Definition Of terms used in this topic

Conflict - a clash or disagreement which is often violent between opposing individuals, groups and religions.

Conflict management - being able to resolve the differences or disagreements which exist between individuals or groups.

Divisive-tending to cause disagreements or hostility between people

Inimical- Tending to cause harm or being unfriendly.

Theocracy-a system of government in which the priests rule in the name of God.

Vested- fully and unconditionally guaranteed as a legal right, benefit or privilege.