| It would be unsophisticated to say that religion | | | | dangerous, since the level of influence held by some |
| causes violence. However, the question at hand is | | | | religious leaders may be cult-like. They have control |
| phrased beautifully, since it merely suggests that | | | | of many foolish and impressionable minds. Such |
| religion can lead to violence. With what we have seen | | | | persons can deliberately or inadvertently incite |
| in radical Islam and the activities of the Christian Right | | | | followers to commit acts of violence in the name of |
| in America, it may be true to say that religion can | | | | the religious deity. |
| lead to violence. Organised religion may lead to | | | | Critical thinking and rationality are not necessarily |
| violence by providing certain pre-requisites for | | | | encouraged by organised religion. They would |
| violence. | | | | encourage emotion, but discourage logic. This makes |
| Religion forms a powerful ideological basis for group | | | | a religious group even worse than the military, where |
| identity. It is one of the main catalysts for inter-group | | | | one cannot question figures in authority. If religion |
| conflict, next to nationality and ethnicity. The power | | | | encouraged followers to be more open-minded, they |
| of religion over other bases of group formation is | | | | may lose their members. It is very important to keep |
| that it is ideological. It appeals to the core of | | | | followers insulated. This would not directly lead to |
| existence and attempts to give people a reason for | | | | violence, but can facilitate it by ensuring the thinking |
| being. Some religions implore members to see | | | | of members is singular. |
| themselves as missionaries or soldiers who are | | | | Certain religious belief systems encourage the view |
| fighting for a righteous cause. | | | | that those who merely believe are saved or that |
| Once the group identity is intact, religion can | | | | violent acts done with the right intention are |
| encourage intolerance. It even ventures beyond | | | | wholesome. Historically, many violent conquests |
| religious intolerance. This is usually done by defining | | | | occurred in the name of religion and religious beliefs. |
| who is worthy enough to be in the group and | | | | There are those who hold the view that once they |
| excluding those who are deemed unfit. An "us and | | | | believe, they can commit violent acts against others |
| them" world-view can easily be created. Worse yet, | | | | and still be forgiven afterwards. |
| some members of religions feel justified in | | | | Religious texts usually contain contradictory material |
| persecuting others on the basis on their religious | | | | that may be used to satisfy sinister motives. It is |
| views. If their interpretation of doctrine excludes | | | | often claimed that even the devil could use a bible to |
| certain groups, then those who do not subscribe to | | | | justify an action. This reality, along with the |
| the views of the group can easily be viewed as | | | | aforementioned points, provides some insight into |
| agents of the devil or forces of darkness that can | | | | why religion can lead to violent action. It does not |
| and should be trampled. | | | | necessarily mean that religious people are more |
| Religion encourages the shepherd and flock | | | | violent or even that religions directly encourage |
| syndrome. There are usually demagogues within | | | | violence. However, religion is like a gun. As we read in |
| religious organisations who have the authority and | | | | the novel "Shane", it's just a tool as good or bad as |
| power to influence followers. This is particularly | | | | the one who uses it. |