Interesting Lecture on "Religious Violence"

Yesterday, my univesity lecture was on 'RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE'. It was very interesting to look at the topic and hear the various theories and hypotheses on the issue. When going through the different religions and their concept of violence the lecturer mentioned Christianity, Islam and Sikhism. I was eager to hear what the lecturer would say about Sikhi. When mentioning Christianity he talked about the HOLY CRUSADES and war in the name of Christ, which was usually over taking over land and forcing people to accept Christianity. Similarly, JIHAD in Islam is form of struggle, which is most commonly done through the sword to gain territory, power and spread Islam. Usually both religions claim the main reason for violence is for self-protecting of its faith and faith community however not always the case as illustrated by the above points. 

 

When the lecturer mentioned Sikhi and the concept of DHARAM YUDH it was unique from other religions. He said, "Dharam Yudh means war in defence of Faith. The Sikhs only raise arms when all other means of a peaceful and non-conflicting outcome fail and talking to the authorities and state fail. War or violence is strictly defensive and never has been offensive. The Sikh religion is embedded with concept of self-defence and defending Faith." It’s beautiful to see the beauty of Sikhi shine and makes one feel proud to have such a Great Guru and Great Nation. The second part of the lecture is always a discussion based. The question posed was, "Is religious violence mainly down to religious text and tradition." Half the class was to argue FOR and half the class was to argue AGAINST. My group was the AGAINST. I was sitting with the group arguing AGAINST. However, I could over-hear the other group. I heard the word "BHINDRANWALE" (pronounced and said in English way). The group said "The Sikh leader Bhindranwale led the Sikhs to pick arms and wished to create a Sikh homeland. This was followed by violence with the Golden Temple being attacked by the army in 1984." The other person in that group said, "Yes but 'Bhindranwale' and the Sikhs were standing up for human rights. You can't claim the Sikhs committed religious violence." Then another person said, "Yeah, and the Prime-Minister got assassinated by her Sikh body guards - but again that wasn't really religious violence however a mere act of defending one's faith and people against oppression." I was pleasantly taken aback by the Goray students knowledge of Baba jee and 1984 history and impressed by their perspective.

In my group I shared the point that religious tradition can have a role to play in religious violence. For example, religions, which practice animal sacrifices, like Islam and Judaism etc, isn't this religious violence? Does violence only have to be confined to humans? Someone who can easily butcher, torture and slaughter an animal becomes used to the shrieks, cries, and terror of the animal, as a result violence against humans is done without thinking as the mentality of being immune to torture, cries of pain and blood are normal. Everyone looked at me and stared in silence. Then one girl said, "Its true - animal torture by religions is just as bad." (Note: There is a nice article about Kuttha and Sikh perspective of meat on Panthic.org - read article here). The Muslim and Christian students just looked stunned as they realised the barbarity of torturing and killing animals for the sake of sacrifice to God or for one's hunger. Then one boy said with a disturbed voice, "Good point - but aren't we supposed to be arguing the opposite perspective?" We ended up arguing that socio, economical and political struggles are usually glossed over with religion.

On the way back home on the train today I faced my own experience of violence! I was starving (had langar in the morning - Poratay to be precise! lol) but by late afternoon I was feeling peckish. I couldn't find anything in the train station that I could eat. Then I came across a bag of "MIXED FRUIT AND NUTS" in WHSmith. I thought Chalo, Chaklo. So I got the nuts and dried fruits. But I needed to wash my hands before I eat them. I went to the toilets in the station to be shocked with a 20p CHARGE. I thought "Rab Bhalla Kare! 20p just to use the sink to use some WATER!" I thought I would wait till I get on the train. The train came along and there were so many people getting on I thought I can't get up to wash my hands or else someone will take the seat. So I waited a few stops till the train wasn't busy. I got up to wash my hands in the nearby toilet. Anyone been on a Virgin train will know that the doors are AWFUL. I was half way through the door when the door automatically CLOSED! There's even no censor to open it! I thought Rab Rakha while being squashed by the door! I thought forget religious violence, today I'm victim of TRAIN DOOR VIOLENCE! lol. I had to push the door back and SQUEEZE through. I've lost count of the amount of times I have seen people or myself have been stuck in the automatic doors of a Virgin train. They really needed to sort it out! Eventually got my hands washed and enjoyed the nuts and raisins. Sat Naam, Vaheguru.