NO TO VIOLENCE: RELIGIONS THAT SUPPORTS HUMAN AGGRESSION
POSITION PAPER IN
THEOLOGY 11
BY:
Buenaventura, Raidon Louis M.
Cristales, Charisse Neil A.
Hidalgo, Jervish Louise Linfred D.
Magumcia, Jaypee Aris O.
Ochangco, Andrei Luise E.
Pimentel, Gabriel Y.
Pinto, Justin C.
Torda, Angeli D.
March 26,202
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION:
Religion is a cultural and belief system in which humanity is associated with
spirituality and moral values. It is a broad concept to discuss because its
definitions vary worldwide, according to the Council of Europe. Although it is not
that easy to explain and pinpoint what religion really is. Literally, Federick Ferre in
his work Basic Modern Philosophy of Religion also mentioned that religion is the
most comprehensive and intensive manner of valuing known to human beings. So,
instead of giving a precise and exact definition of religion, it would be more
practical to enumerate the family traits or the common characteristics of it. In
accordance with Pecorino, the common identifications of religion are: notion of a
deity or absolute with supreme importance, ideas on the nature of human beings,
divine providence, destiny, fate, human life and history, the world, the evil, the
after-life, human community, and ethics. Just like every family, not all members
have the same traits but most have most of the traits. With that, any institution
that displays the characteristics mentioned can be considered as religion.
However, the fewer the traits it possesses, the less likely it will be termed as a
religion. At some point, for example, it may be described as a magic or sorcery and
not really a full-fledged religion.
(provide a paragraph here, highlighting human aggression)
Dr. Philip A. Pecorino in his online textbook, Philosophy of Religion, tells us
that society needs moral codes in order to survive. We need them because without
it, there would be no harmony, but turmoil inside our society. However, what are
our standards and where do we get these moral codes? What institution is fitted
for building the ideas of what is right and wrong? Acceptable and punishable?
Truly, in today’s time, religion is our foundation of morality. Many theorists believe
that the rules and standard for human behavior is at the heart of religion. And so,
to associate our research title, we all know how aggression is unacceptable and
morally wrong. According to Kendra Cherry, it is a range of behaviors that could
result in both physical and psychological harm to yourself, others, or objects in the
environment. Yet, in situations where a religion supports human aggression, can
this action be justified?
This research is conducted for the purpose of refuting the human
aggressions practiced among religions. Violence is something that humanity
cannot accept by all means. And if a religion -an institution in which contains moral
codes- backs up this immoral action, it would be completely ironic. In this paper,
the researchers will be identifying some religions that support human aggression
and will also be reassessing the religion’s justifications on doing so. With this, the
researchers stand by the motto, “No to Violence,” especially on a belief system
linked to moral values.
Precisely, the religions that support human aggression are Judaism, Christianity,
Hinduism, and Sikhism. Judaism is a religion developed among the ancient
Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed
himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in
accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions. Christianity is the religion
derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by
Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies. Hinduism is the dominant religion
of India that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observances
and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices. Sikhism is a religion that
originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, around the end of the
15th century.
Religion can often help people better themselves and help the lives of
others. On the contrary, it may seem that religion can do the opposite, causing
people to be violent. Religion often gets blamed for acts of violence including
suicide, martyrdom, and terrorism. Religion gives people something to believe in,
provides a sense of structure, and typically offers a group of people to connect
with over similar beliefs.
Religion can be defined as a set of people who share common values and believe
that their lives have meaning. This sense or conviction that their existence has
purpose might arise from both inside and outside of themselves. These shared
values manifested in worship can be directly determined because they occur on a
regular basis. People's lives are heavily influenced by their religious beliefs.
Religion may frequently assist people in improving themselves and the lives of
others. On the contrary, religion may appear to have the opposite effect, causing
people to become violent. Religion isn't always chosen; in some circumstances,
people are born into it. Religion has ties to politics, economics, social conventions,
behavior, and practically every aspect of life, some stronger than others. Going to
church and praying isn't enough for certain religions. Because of the traditions and
beliefs that are followed, certain "religions" have become a way of life.
Religious terrorism is a type of religious violence where terrorism is used as
a tactic to achieve religious goals or which are influenced by religious identity.
Terrorism is the deliberate use of violence to create a general environment of fear
in a society in order to achieve a specific political goal. Terrorism has been
perpetrated by right-wing and left-wing political organizations, nationalistic and
religious groups, revolutionaries, and even official agencies including militaries,
intelligence services, and police. The absence of trustworthy and comparable data,
as well as the desire to compartmentalize study to deal with specific threats,
nations, and regions, provide significant hurdles to any analysis of terrorist
patterns. When dealing with contentious themes like the links between Islam,
extremism, and terrorism, the problem becomes considerably worse. To show
these trends and how global patterns of terrorism and violence intersect with
Islam, this analysis draws on a variety of sources. It won't be able to compensate
for the lack of consistent and trustworthy data in many crucial areas, or the fact
that many key factors aren't suitable for summary quantification and trend
analysis. It's also impossible to go into great detail in assessing individual patterns
in Islam and extremism in the context of global trends, or to point out all of the
data's limitations in terms of quality and dependability.
I. Introduction
(Own-Macro-Micro-Local)
(Identify the topic/issue that will be discussed)
II. Discussion
(Contains the central argument)
(Background-Evidence-Assessment of both sides)
III. Conclusion
(Stating the key points-Where to be applied-Suggest resolutions to the issue)
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER III
CONCLUSION
