refusal to serve and religious dom definition

To the degree that religions are part of the problem, they are also part of the solutionīefore proceeding, it may be helpful to clarify how several terms are being used in this paper, and their significance to the topic. Indeed, given the importance of religion in many societies, it would be difficult to develop a culture of peace without including religions and the symbols and meanings they hold for peoples as well as the power of their networks. In some countries religious systems are more powerful than political systems, and in others political and religious systems are intertwined. In addition, through their extensive networks, institutions (e.g., schools, universities, hospitals, social service centers) and worldwide memberships, world religions engage millions of people at local, regional, and global levels and can have a major influence on political, economic, and social policy development. Nevertheless people are often prepared to die in order to defend or uphold these symbols, meanings, and identity systems. Because they function at often deep and unconscious levels, people are often unaware of the affect of religious symbols, archetypes and identity systems on their values, choices and behaviors. One reason that religions may have played a powerful role in history is that they often carry the archetypes, symbols, stories, and worldviews through which people shape their identity, designate their deepest questions of meaning, deal with problems of injustice and suffering, and develop codes of morality and conduct to meet the requirements of community life. Thus this paper does not ask whether religions can affect war or peace, but rather why and how? If we understand why and how religions affect war or peace within and between societies, we may be better enabled to engage the strengths and transcend the limitations of religions in developing a sustainable peace.

But religions have also contributed significantly to the development of more just, humane, and ecologically responsible societies. We have only to look at current and past wars to see that even when religious differences are not a direct cause, they may play an indirect and interactive role in conflict dynamics. That religions have played a role in conflict and warfare is well known. To maximize the potential of religions to contribute to peace and minimize those that breed war requires understanding these deep, unconscious levels of knowing and cultural formation this is more elusive and difficult than addressing direct or even systemic forms of violence. One reason that religions are often so powerful in war or peace is that they carry the archetypes, images, and symbols of meaning and identity that inform people’s thoughts and actions at deep, often unconscious levels.

Religions have a powerful role in shaping ideas of social justice and legitimacy, and also in responding to perceptions of injustice and illegitimacy-e.g., passively accepting human suffering and injustice as the will of God and a badge of moral merit, or actively opposing them, and if so, whether by violent or nonviolent means. Perceptions of injustice lead to discontent, non-cooperation, conflict, civil unrest, and war. One of the critical elements for a culture of peace is social justice.

Refusal to serve and religious dom definition