Empirical Perspectives on Religion and Violence

Abstract

The 'religion as cause' argument implies that religious faiths are more inherently prone to violence than ideologies that are secular. Following an evaluation of the scientific literature on religion and violence, we argue that wherever evidence links specific aspects of religion with aggression and violence, these aspects are not unique to religion. Rather, these aspects are religious variants of more general psychological processes. Further, there are numerous aspects of religion that buffer against aggression and violence among its adherents. The most distinct feature of religion, supernaturalism, is not often the focus of researchers of religion and violence. Despite this, the paucity of research that has been conducted on this key feature suggests that supernaturalism is associated with reduced aggression and violence. There appears to be very little support for the notion that there is something uniquely religious that causes violence among followers.

The Socio-Ethical Outlook on the Concept of Human Aggression and a Concept of Good Society—Towards New Socio-Religious Approaches for Human Morality—Theoretical Debate

“…The evidence results of socio-psychological studies concerning intrinsic orientation displayed that intrinsic orientation is associated with less self-reported aggression, while on the contrary, extrinsic orientation relates to more self-reported aggression, and quest orientation is associated with less self-reported aggression (Wright and Khoo 2019). Psychological approaches indicate that in order to better evaluate the impact of religiosity on the reduction in the incitement to violence, clear common features should be identified, which are characteristic of all nations across a number of religiosity measures (Wright 2016, pp.…”

Factors Affecting the Violence Against Women: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh

“…However, existing studies indicate that supernatural beliefs are linked to decreased levels of aggression and violence. There is little support for the notion that something uniquely religious causes violence (Wright and Khoo, 2019).…”

Indices of Conflict Triggers in Femi Ajewole’s Theatrical Performances in Oyo State, Southwest, Nigeria

“…Alaga said all these names as well as characterizations portray Islam and Muslims as unreliable. This serves as a threat to religious identity which, Wright & Khoo (2019) say may cause emotional reaction upon which leaders may mobilize to cause violent reactions to intergroup conflicts. It would be recalled that Tajfel & Turner (1986) aptly capture the triggers to group identity when they stated that when the value of a group is impeded, aggressive responses to threats come to play.…”