Religious Beliefs and Values in the Context of Religious Violence Discussions: An Evaluation in the Context of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Serkan Sayar

Makale detayları

Religious Beliefs and Values in the Context of Religious Violence Discussions: An Evaluation in the Context of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Yazarlar:

Serkan Sayar

Yayıncı:

Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dinler Tarihi

Dergi:

Cumhuriyet İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.28 Issue 1, pp.124-143

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2024

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001319249

pISSN:

2528-9861

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 The instrumental use of religious beliefs and values in conflicts around the world is the source of many discussions in which the issues of religion and violence are placed at the center. Although the discussions are shaped around the assumption that religious beliefs and values are the source of violent behavior, the relationship between religion and violence has a very complex structure. Because the sacred texts, which are at the center of religious traditions, have demands for peace and reconciliation, as well as examples and symbols of war and violence. In other words, religious traditions have served as an inspiring source for both the realization of basic moral values and the adoption of peaceful attitudes in the historical process. On the other hand, the worst examples of human history are also linked to religious beliefs and values. Historical records indicate that thousands of people have lost their lives in wars fought in the name of religion and many more have been subjected to direct or indirect violence. Therefore, it would not be realistic to say that religious beliefs and values serve war or peace based on any passage in sacred texts or any positive or negative example from the past. However, the September 11 attacks in the United States have led to different views on religious violence. Ironically, Americas use of religious beliefs and values as a tool for legitimizing violence, after having decided to fight religious terrorism in 2001, has paved the way for 911 to be used as an archetype for similar attacks. The use of four planes hijacked by nineteen alleged Muslims for the attack on the World Trade Center not only led to discussions on religious violence over Islam and Muslims, but also paved the way for military and political decisions that would reshape the Islamic geography. Claiming that he took action against religious terrorist organizations as a result of this attack, George W. Bush interpreted the struggle as a crusade against evil forces and initiated military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq that resulted in the death of tens of thousands of people. Similarly, Binyamin Netanyahu, who based the attacks that took place on October 7, 2023, on the prophecy of Isaiah, described the events of October 7 as Israels September 11, causing the deaths of thousands of civilians, regardless of men or women, young or old. Although the conflicts are based on theopolitical, economic or cultural reasons, the use of the language of religion in the legitimization of violence, in my opinion, requires an investigation of the debates on religion and violence. For this reason, this study aims to make a general evaluation in the context of religious violence debates. While examining the subject, firstly, different perspectives on religious violence debates since the September 11 attacks were emphasized, then it was pointed out that the expressions of violence in the sacred texts of the monotheist tradition have been interpreted in different ways in the historical process, and it was tried to show that acts of violence characterized as religious are based on numerous and complex reasons. The subject is discussed through Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions and limited to examples where religious beliefs and values belonging to the monotheistic tradition are shown as references to violence. In the phenomenological perspective, it is seen that religiously expressed acts of.

 The instrumental use of religious beliefs and values in conflicts around the world is the source of many discussions in which the issues of religion and violence are placed at the center. Although the discussions are shaped around the assumption that religious beliefs and values are the source of violent behavior, the relationship between religion and violence has a very complex structure. Because the sacred texts, which are at the center of religious traditions, have demands for peace and reconciliation, as well as examples and symbols of war and violence. In other words, religious traditions have served as an inspiring source for both the realization of basic moral values and the adoption of peaceful attitudes in the historical process. On the other hand, the worst examples of human history are also linked to religious beliefs and values. Historical records indicate that thousands of people have lost their lives in wars fought in the name of religion and many more have been subjected to direct or indirect violence. Therefore, it would not be realistic to say that religious beliefs and values serve war or peace based on any passage in sacred texts or any positive or negative example from the past. However, the September 11 attacks in the United States have led to different views on religious violence. Ironically, Americas use of religious beliefs and values as a tool for legitimizing violence, after having decided to fight religious terrorism in 2001, has paved the way for 911 to be used as an archetype for similar attacks. The use of four planes hijacked by nineteen alleged Muslims for the attack on the World Trade Center not only led to discussions on religious violence over Islam and Muslims, but also paved the way for military and political decisions that would reshape the Islamic geography. Claiming that he took action against religious terrorist organizations as a result of this attack, George W. Bush interpreted the struggle as a crusade against evil forces and initiated military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq that resulted in the death of tens of thousands of people. Similarly, Binyamin Netanyahu, who based the attacks that took place on October 7, 2023, on the prophecy of Isaiah, described the events of October 7 as Israels September 11, causing the deaths of thousands of civilians, regardless of men or women, young or old. Although the conflicts are based on theopolitical, economic or cultural reasons, the use of the language of religion in the legitimization of violence, in my opinion, requires an investigation of the debates on religion and violence. For this reason, this study aims to make a general evaluation in the context of religious violence debates. While examining the subject, firstly, different perspectives on religious violence debates since the September 11 attacks were emphasized, then it was pointed out that the expressions of violence in the sacred texts of the monotheist tradition have been interpreted in different ways in the historical process, and it was tried to show that acts of violence characterized as religious are based on numerous and complex reasons. The subject is discussed through Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions and limited to examples where religious beliefs and values belonging to the monotheistic tradition are shown as references to violence. In the phenomenological perspective, it is seen that religiously expressed acts of.

 The instrumental use of religious beliefs and values in conflicts around the world is the source of many discussions in which the issues of religion and violence are placed at the center. Although the discussions are shaped around the assumption that religious beliefs and values are the source of violent behavior, the relationship between religion and violence has a very complex structure. Because the sacred texts, which are at the center of religious traditions, have demands for peace and reconciliation, as well as examples and symbols of war and violence. In other words, religious traditions have served as an inspiring source for both the realization of basic moral values and the adoption of peaceful attitudes in the historical process. On the other hand, the worst examples of human history are also linked to religious beliefs and values. Historical records indicate that thousands of people have lost their lives in wars fought in the name of religion and many more have been subjected to direct or indirect violence. Therefore, it would not be realistic to say that religious beliefs and values serve war or peace based on any passage in sacred texts or any positive or negative example from the past. However, the September 11 attacks in the United States have led to different views on religious violence. Ironically, Americas use of religious beliefs and values as a tool for legitimizing violence, after having decided to fight religious terrorism in 2001, has paved the way for 911 to be used as an archetype for similar attacks. The use of four planes hijacked by nineteen alleged Muslims for the attack on the World Trade Center not only led to discussions on religious violence over Islam and Muslims, but also paved the way for military and political decisions that would reshape the Islamic geography. Claiming that he took action against religious terrorist organizations as a result of this attack, George W. Bush interpreted the struggle as a crusade against evil forces and initiated military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq that resulted in the death of tens of thousands of people. Similarly, Binyamin Netanyahu, who based the attacks that took place on October 7, 2023, on the prophecy of Isaiah, described the events of October 7 as Israels September 11, causing the deaths of thousands of civilians, regardless of men or women, young or old. Although the conflicts are based on theopolitical, economic or cultural reasons, the use of the language of religion in the legitimization of violence, in my opinion, requires an investigation of the debates on religion and violence. For this reason, this study aims to make a general evaluation in the context of religious violence debates. While examining the subject, firstly, different perspectives on religious violence debates since the September 11 attacks were emphasized, then it was pointed out that the expressions of violence in the sacred texts of the monotheist tradition have been interpreted in different ways in the historical process, and it was tried to show that acts of violence characterized as religious are based on numerous and complex reasons. The subject is discussed through Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions and limited to examples where religious beliefs and values belonging to the monotheistic tradition are shown as references to violence. In the phenomenological perspective, it is seen that religiously expressed acts of.

 Dünya genelinde yaşanan çatışmalarda dinî inanç ve değerlerin araçsal kullanımı, din ve şiddet konularının merkeze alındığı birçok tartışmaya kaynaklık etmektedir. Yapılan tartışmalar dinî inanç ve değerlerin şiddet içeren davranışlara neden olduğu varsayımı etrafında şekillense de din ve şiddet arasında var olan ilişki oldukça karmaşık bir yapıya sahiptir. Zira, dinsel geleneklerin merkezinde yer alan kutsal metinler, savaş ve şiddet içeren örnek ve sembollerin yanı sıra barış ve uzlaşı içeren taleplere de sahiptir. Başka bir ifade ile dinî gelenekler, tarihî süreç içerisinde hem temel ahlaki değerlerin hayata geçirilmesi hem de barışçıl tutumların benimsenmesinde ilham verici bir kaynak olarak hizmet etmişlerdir. Diğer taraftan insanlık tarihinin en kötü örnekleri de dinî inanç ve değerler ile bağlantılıdır. Tarihî kayıtlar, din adına yapılan savaşlarda binlerce insanın hayatını kaybettiğine ve bir o kadarının da doğrudan ya da dolaylı şiddete maruz kaldığına işaret etmektedir. Öyleyse kutsal metinlerde yer alan herhangi bir pasajdan ya da geçmişte yaşanmış olumlu ya da olumsuz herhangi bir örnekten hareketle dinî inanç ve değerlerin bütünüyle savaşa veya barışa hizmet ettiğini söylemek gerçekçi bir tutum olmayacaktır. Bununla beraber Amerikada gerçekleşen 11 Eylül saldırıları dinsel şiddet konusunda farklı görüşlerin öne sürülmesine neden olmuştur. İronik bir şekilde 2001de dinî terörizm ile mücadele kararı alan Amerikanın dinî inanç ve değerleri şiddetin meşrulaştırılmasında bir araç olarak kullanması, 11 Eylülün benzer saldırılar için bir arketip olarak kullanılmasına zemin oluşturmuştur. Zira Müslüman olduğu iddia edilen on dokuz kişinin kaçırdığı dört uçağın Dünya Ticaret Merkezine yapılan saldırı için kullanılması sadece dinsel şiddet tartışmalarının İslâm ve Müslümanlar üzerinden yapılmasına neden olmamış aynı zamanda İslâm coğrafyasının yeniden şekillenmesine neden olacak askeri ve siyasi kararların alınmasına da zemin oluşturmuştur. Bu saldırı neticesinde dinsel terör örgütlerine karşı harekete geçtiğini iddia eden George W. Bush, verilen mücadeleyi şeytani güçlere karşı Haçlı Seferi olarak yorumlayarak Afganistan ve Irakta on binlerce insanın ölmesi ile sonuçlanan askerî operasyonları başlatmıştır. Benzer şekilde 7 Ekim 2023 tarihinde gerçekleşen saldırıları Yeşaya kehaneti üzerinden temellendiren Binyamin Netanyahu, 7 Ekim olaylarını İsrailin 11 Eylülü olarak niteleyerek kadın-erkek, genç-yaşlı ayrımı yapılmaksızın binlerce sivilin ölmesine neden olmuştur. Yaşanan çatışmalar her ne kadar teopolitik, ekonomik ya da kültürel nedenlere dayansa da şiddetin meşrulaştırılmasında din dilinin kullanılması kanaatimizce din ve şiddet konusu ile ilgili tartışmaların araştırılmasını gerektirmektedir. Bu nedenle dinsel şiddet tartışmaları bağlamında ele alınan bu çalışmada genel bir değerlendirme yapılması amaçlanmıştır. Konu incelenirken önce 11 Eylül saldırılarından günümüze dinsel şiddet tartışmaları ile ilgili farklı bakış açıları üzerinde durulmuş daha sonra monoteist geleneğe ait kutsal metinlerde yer alan şiddet ifadelerinin tarihî süreç içerisinde farklı şekillerde yorumlandığına dikkat çekilerek dinsel olarak nitelenen şiddet eylemlerinin çok sayıda ve karmaşık nedenlere dayandığı gösterilmeye çalışılmıştır. Konu Yahudi, Hıristiyan ve İslâm gelenekleri üzerinden ele alınmış ve monoteist geleneğe ait dinî inanç ve değerlerin şiddete referans olarak gösterildiği örnekler ile sınırlandırılmıştır. Fenomenolojik bakış açısı ile ele alınan araştırmada dinsel olarak ifade edilen şiddet eylemlerinin belli amaçlar doğrultusunda kutsal metinlerin yeniden yorumlanması ve yeni yorumun idealleştirilmesi ile ilişkili olduğu görülmüştür.

Makale detayları

Religious Beliefs and Values in the Context of Religious Violence Discussions: An Evaluation in the Context of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Yazarlar:

Serkan Sayar

Yayıncı:

Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dinler Tarihi

Dergi:

Cumhuriyet İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.28 Issue 1, pp.124-143

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2024

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001319249

pISSN:

2528-9861

History of Religions

Religious Violence

September 11

October 7

Religion and ViolenceDinler Tarihi

Dinsel Şiddet

11 Eylül

7 Ekim

Din ve Şiddet

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Serkan Sayar

Yayıncı: Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Ana Başlıklar: Dinler Tarihi

Dergi: Cumhuriyet İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.28 Issue 1, pp.124-143

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 6/2024

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001319249

pISSN: 2528-9861

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Serkan Sayar

Yayıncı:

Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dinler Tarihi

Dergi:

Cumhuriyet İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.28 Issue 1, pp.124-143

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

6/2024

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001319249

pISSN:

2528-9861