Identifying the
true causes of unrest and violence, either domestic
or international, which results to war, is really
difficult to determine. However is very important
to recognize the precise causes of some of the
conflicts around the world, where some might be
due to ethnicity and religious ideologies but
not all. However, when political alliances, economic
difference, ethnicity and religious differences
occur in any society unrest and chaos takes place.
Similarly it causes violence internationally which
ultimately results to war. (Humans and Humanity)
It is commonly heard since the beginning of international
political system that religion is the root cause
of violence in any society, which ultimately leads
to war either the motive is self defense or achieving
dominance of ones religion. However it could be
accepted that religion has been proved to be a
cause of violence in a society but its not always
and the only cause of war. Actually the basis
for war is the struggle for power, either it is
achieved via politics, ideology or religion. For
instance, if we take the case of USSR and USSA,
during the cold war era, the world was divided
into two blocks where both these super powers
were struggling to win their ideological dominance
in the world. Former USSR was promoting communism
while USA was a spreading capitalism and free-market
economy, though both states agree to secularism,
which means religion is not a part of politics.
(Yergin D 1988) So it means that religion was
not the basis of the long area of cold war between
these two rivals.
On the other hand a case of India and Pakistan,
the two major countries in South Asia. They are
still in a situation of cold war, where Kashmir
is the bone of contention to achieving and marinating
peaceful relations. Apparently it seems to be
a far for religious success but the hidden reality
is something different. (Gellner, Ernest. 1987)
History proves they were separated into two independent
entities 50 years back but since then the India
has been unjust for giving back Pakistan the divided
piece of land, which was according to the third
June, plan, the right of Pakistan and this right
was further recognized by the UN long time ago.
(Luttwak, Edward N. 1987)
Religion is basically ones personal believes about
how to spend his life. Where all religions teach
the same lesson and possess the same fundamental
principles, though in their own style. Respecting
humanity and promoting human rights is the fundamental
principal that all religions preach in a separate
language and according to different cultures.
Therefore, how can one blame religion as a cause
for war, actually it is the lack of religious
knowledge and awareness that people believe and
promote religion as a major source of conflict.
On the other hand media takes advantage to win
profitable markets by promoting this theory.
Nonetheless many wars and violence indicate ethnicity
and religious differences as the root causes.
For instance the troubles in the Northern Ireland
is traced back to a mixture of Catholic/protestant
difference and political commitments, the Rwanda
genocide was as a result of a religious split
of 75% Christians and 25% indigenous. Similarly
the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina was also among three
main religious groups i.e. Muslims, Roman Catholic
and the Serbian Orthodox. (Scott Davis 1996)
Therefore, not only religion but there could be
many other reasons for unrest and anarchy both
on state level as well as internationally. Moreover,
every ethnic conflict is not a religious war.
Though religion has been always the moving target
but when the circumstances changes and the political
reality comes to our understanding, it is realized
that politics has much more to do then religion
in such wars and conflicts that is fought in the
name of self defense. Classical examples are the
conflicts in Ireland, Chechnya, Nigeria, Burundi,
Iran, Afghanistan, Kashmir, or Sri Lanka or were
during the cold war between the super powers.
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