Religion, Revenge and Violence



Been recently reading through Leviticus and Numbers thinking that I am glad that these are not the only books of the bible. I am glad that Jesus came to show us what God is really like. Apart from Christ one might get the impression that God advocates violence. Consider these excerpts from Derek Flood's oped in the Huffington Post:
Does religion promote violence? In our post 9/11 world this is a question that people are increasingly asking. Does religion make you a better person, or does it in fact do the opposite, and instead foster hate, fear, and violence? One does not have to look far to find examples of violence done at the hands of religious power, but is religion itself really to blame?

This is a touchy theme that tends to evoke both debate and strong emotions, regardless of which side of the debate one falls onto. For people of faith like myself, the tendency is to see this as an attack, and become defensive. So for a long time my response would have been to deny this claim, and in response to defend my faith's validity and value.
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Perhaps the more important question we ought to be asking however is whether our beliefs and convictions actively promote peace? Instead of pointing the finger or claiming innocence, maybe we need to take a look at what we are doing to actively promote dialog and understanding with those with whom we disagree. What are we doing to build bridges in our increasingly polarized culture? What are we doing to actively foster compassion and respect? What are we doing to break the cycle of retaliation in the name of "justice" and instead promote reconciliation and restoration?
I think that it is so easy to point my self-righteous finger at other religions and deflect attention away from my desire for revenge on those who hurt me. I think that is easy to forgive when the offense has not taken much from you. But it is seemingly almost impossible to forgive, and want violent revenge, when someone has taken something dear from you. It is at this times that our desire for peace is tested the most. In times like these our faith is on the line.


7 comments:

  1. I try not to get involved in the various "discussions" on divisive issues and just speak truth about what Christ means to me and my life. It does seem to me that the one's who promote and talk about "tolerance" are the most intolerant.

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    1. I agree Susan. Sometimes folks advocating tolerance can be very intolerant of folks who they deem to be intolerant. I think that believers usually agree with Paul when he say to try to be at peace with all.

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  2. Leviticus and Numbers show us what God is really like! Jesus' favorite bible verse is in Leviticus. At least the verse he quotes more than any other and uses as the basis for much of his teaching and his summary of the Law.

    ...you shall love your neighbor as yourself… (Leviticus 19:18)

    Jesus didn't come to do away with Leviticus and Numbers, he came to fulfill them, to live them for us since we can't/won't/don't. And I'm thankful for Leviticus and Numbers because they point us to Jesus as the perfect sacrifice, our High Priest, Prophet, and King!

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    1. Love that verse Brance! Also love how Jesus is not timid when he corrected the Jewish leaders in their misunderstandings of the scriptures. Love how he spoke to them of Moses allowing divorce because of their hard hearts. And when he said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone' I think that he was telling them that the stoning of adulterers, gays and disobedient children was wrong.

      As I am reading through the OT I am loving the way that God is working within the framework of that ancient culture. I am appreciating how He is working through flawed people like Abraham, Jacob and Moses. It amazes me that He worked with them even though they did not understand Him perfectly. These things simply make the story more interesting to me.

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  3. I've seen Marcion come up in some of these discussions, Bob. What do you think?

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    1. I do not know much about Marcion other than he saw the God of OT Judaism as different that the God of NT Christianity. I do not see the need to make that delineation. I think that he probably arrived there because of the hyper-literal way that he might have read the OT. But I am not an expert in all things Marcion. ツ

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