StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
Religious conflict can be described as disagreements resulting from differences in religious beliefs, which in some cases culminates in wars, often referred to as religious wars (Sohail, 2012). The religious wars and other violent acts perpetrated in the name of religion are…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.6% of users find it useful
Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict"

Religious Conflict Religious Conflict Religious conflict can be described as disagreements resulting from differences in religious beliefs, which in some cases culminates in wars, often referred to as religious wars (Sohail, 2012). The religious wars and other violent acts perpetrated in the name of religion are justified by the different religions as being in defense of their beliefs. Religion has throughout the history of man been linked to violence and conflicts in different places around the world.

Religious conflicts can be at worst if the major religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism are led by individuals who hold very extremist views of their beliefs and accept no form of dialogue to foster religious tolerance (Akbar, 2002). Religious conflicts are not just confined to one religion but to all religions and are more prevalent in places where there is one dominant religion seeking to exert its influence in the socioeconomic lives of the majority of the individuals in the region.

Among the most notable religious conflicts in history of religion include the Muslim conquest through Jihad between the 7th and 19th century, the Military excursions of Christian against the Muslim conquests, including the infamous crusades between the 11th and 13th century, the Spanish Recoquista, which occurred between the 8th and 15th century and finally the Ottoman wars in Europe from the 1th to the 19th century (Sohail, 2012).In more recent times, religious differences have been used by extremists to perpetrate various forms of violence including terrorism, genocide, assassinations and civil wars (Akbar, 2002).

The religious conflicts are also taking an ethnic dimension leading to long lasting conflicts between different religions and ethnicities. Some of the religious conflicts in the modern world include the infamous Israeli-Palestine conflict that has both ethnic and political dimensions, Yugoslav Wars, the civil wars in African countries such as Sudan and Nigeria that have both ethnic dimension and differences between Islamic and Christian beliefs (Sohail, 2012).Another key point in religious conflicts is the encroachment of religion in politics and economics.

Religion has a tremendous role to play in politics and economics as it influences people’s views on leadership and morality in business. In some countries, religion is deemed very important to the extent that there are state religions where individuals are guided by religious beliefs. In such cases, conflicts are likely to emerge between the state religions and the minority religions over the extent to which the religions relate with each other.Another important issue to discuss in relation to religious conflict is religious freedom or freedom of conscience (Akbar, 2002).

This is considered a fundamental right of individuals to choose what to believe with regard to spirituality and religion. In as much as this right seeks to safeguard individuals against victimization on the basis of their beliefs, it has been a major issue of contention in some regions where individuals are forced to take certain beliefs as being fundamental for them belonging to their societies. This freedom also creates a lee way for very queer beliefs that can threat the safety of both the believers and the people around them.

Conflicts are therefore likely to emerge when governments and other authorities seek to control the extent of religious freedom (Akbar, 2002).ReferencesAkbar M. (2002). The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the conflict between Islam and Christianity. London: Routledge.Sohail H. H. (2012). Just Wars, Holy Wars, and Jihads: Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Encounters and Exchanges. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict Research Paper”, n.d.)
Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/sociology/1625707-sociological-approach-to-the-study-of-religionreligious-conflict
(Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict Research Paper)
Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1625707-sociological-approach-to-the-study-of-religionreligious-conflict.
“Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1625707-sociological-approach-to-the-study-of-religionreligious-conflict.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Sociological Approach to the Study of Religion:Religious Conflict

Impact of the Oxford Movement on Religious Life in England

The paper "Impact of the Oxford Movement on religious Life in England" observes the major impact of the movement was the creation of Anglo-Catholicism which was a go-between the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church.... hellip; The Oxford movement was a religious movement that occurred between the years 1833-1845 by clergymen from the Church of England.... Why the Oxford movement impacted upon religious life in EnglandThe Oxford movement brought to the forefront some of the problems within the Church of England....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

Religion in the Workplace

meant to harass or intimidate an employee on the basis of religion” to avoid legal actions as well as to promote harmony within the workplace (FindLaw, n.... Because there seems to be an impending conflict, it is only right to meet with both parties and inform them about the law, their right, as well as their limitation.... The author of the paper examines the case of religious discrimination at the workplace and states that every employee has the right to observe their faithful practices which may include but are not limited to the style of dress, praying, and fasting....
1 Pages (250 words) Case Study

Analysis of Religious Accommodation Case

2: The Contrast Tyson Foods also had a conflict that arose when they attempted to replace Labor Day with Eid al-Fitr.... The author analyzes the religious accommodation case in which the EEOC justified their claim to sue JBS for violation of the civil rights of their Muslim employees by holding that the company had created a hostile work atmosphere for their employees.... nbsp;… The commission held that JBS-SWIFT failed to exercise religious accommodation violated by denying the employees a chance to pray during their holy month of Ramadan....
1 Pages (250 words) Case Study

Sacred Arts and Ritual Performances in African Religions

This study "Sacred Arts and Ritual Performances in African Religions" discusses the wider scope of nature and significance of African art comprehensively, it is adversely necessary to understand how detailed and influential religious is in conventions and meaning to the African ritual performances.... hellip; African oral and visual lifestyles are textured purely with religious meaning.... The bodily comportment and grooming were additionally influenced by religious details....
2 Pages (500 words) Case Study

Cross-Cultural Counseling

Coping with different religious belief is one is them, it is very hard for couples with… rent religious beliefs to cope since they will not agree on religious issues unless one of them sacrifices his/ her faith to join the other religion (Ellis & Carlson, 2009).... Coping with different religious belief is one is them, it is very hard for couples with different religious beliefs to cope since they will not agree on religious issues unless one of them sacrifices his/ her faith to join the other religion (Ellis & Carlson, 2009)....
1 Pages (250 words) Case Study

The Nature of the Northern Ireland Conflict

This paper "The Nature of the Northern Ireland conflict" presents the long term crisis in Northern Ireland that has been thoroughly examined in the literature.... In many ways, this conflict has been considered as presenting the social and political differences between England and Ireland.... hellip;  The intervention of various social teams in the country's political decisions was the main reason for the development of the conflict having also a catalytic role in its termination - when the relationships among these teams were differentiated and the progress of the conflict did not serve any social or political interest....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

Boundaries In English And Muslim Nations

The interaction which is displayed from the beginning is how the concept of being a part of the economics of a region is also representative of the nation and religion in which one belongs to.... This paper "Boundaries In English And Muslim Nations" discusses the interactions between Muslim and English identities that created several conflicts economically, socially and politically....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

Religion and the Elderly

Pamela Miller is the elderly octogenarian whom I have selected for my research regarding the religious and spiritual inclination of this elderly lady in the path of her life; it was my serious effort to read the mind of Mrs.... Miller, life didn't spare any time for specific religious or spiritual pursuits other than a weekly visit to the Church along with family constituted of two sons, and her husband.... Miller could have shattered her belief in happy life had she not taken the additional courage to involve herself with the outer and inner world routine, immersing herself in various social, religious, and spiritual activities....
7 Pages (1750 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us