Critics of organized religion often accuse our communities of fostering division by asserting that the very nature of adherence to one path over another leads the faithful to judgments that often advance divisiveness and even at times violence. In any honest review of the history of religion the overwhelming contribution has been that most faith communities foster and advance the living of a good and wholesome life that will lead to greater peace, harmony, generosity, compassion, mercy, altruism and prosperity. Yet at the same time we must admit the shadow side and how religion can lead some to commit grave and sometimes heinous crimes against others.
One of the more glaring examples of how religion can motivate violence in some adherents in recent history is the terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. These events caused scholars from both the Catholic and Jewish communities to question how their faith traditions might inform their view of a “war on terrorism” and what the basis for the use of violence is even in a cause that is just. And if they view a war as just, what is the basis of that justification and what limits might the tradition impose upon the use of force as an instrument of foreign policy. They also were forced to explore and question whether there are significant differences between the fundamental teachings of Islam, Judaism and Christianity in this context.
Given this background the Catholic-Jewish Commission’s Institute for Understanding’s spring lecture series will be dedicated to the subject of “Religion and Violence.” Our Institute planners explained that “we like to think of our faith traditions simply as paths to peace, yet, on a deeper level, we know that religion addresses the most challenging aspects of human life with the goal of directing all human existence to a higher goal. This spring we will look at the ways in which the Jewish and Catholic religious traditions have grappled with the human desire to transform our physical and social worlds through exerting power. We will examine the contradictions within our attempts to control violence and the challenges that still face us in our modern multi-religious, multi-cultural world.”
We find that religious violence and extremism are usually motivated by religious precepts, texts or teachings. They also are manifested in violence against religious institutions, persons or places, when the violence is motivated by the religious aspect of the target of the violence. Like the Sept. 11 attacks, religious violence tends to place great emphasis on the symbolic aspect of the violent action. It is difficult for people of religion to come to terms with the notion that their sacred texts, teachings and traditions can be a motivation to some within their religious family as a motivation or justification for violence. And it is also difficult to accept that religions sometimes use war, violence and terrorism to promote their religious goals. Religious leaders can contribute to secular wars and terrorism by endorsing or supporting the violence. Not to mention that religious fervor is often exploited by secular leaders to support war and terrorism.
Our schedule of classes this semester will be held on March 3, 10 and 17. All classes will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Weinberg Jewish Community Campus, 1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill.
On March 3, Dr. Jane Kopas and her Jewish counterpart will be discussing the topic of “Violence in Scripture and Tradition.” On March 10, Dr. Gerald Vigna and his Jewish counterpart will be discussing the topic of “Religious Violence in History.” On March 17, Msgr. Joseph Devlin and his Jewish counterpart will discuss the topic of “Religious Violence in Contemporary America.”
Participants may earn a certificate in Christian-Jewish Relations from LaSalle University. Minimum of 16 classes are required. Per-semester or per-session registration is available. The cost per semester is $50 for those pursuing the Certificate in Jewish-Christian Dialogue and $25 for non-certificate participants. The cost per session is $20 for certificate participants and $10 for other participants.
Register at www.jcrcsnj.org, send checks (payable to “Catholic-Jewish Commission”) and registration information to the “Catholic-Jewish Institute for Understanding, c/o JCRC, 1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, or call 856-751-9500, ext. 117. Hope to see you there.
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