The Origins of Religion and its Relationship with Violence

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In this chapter, the speakers discuss the origins of religion and its relationship with violence. They argue that religion is not something separate or distinct, but rather a mood or feeling that emerges in certain times. The chapter also explores the role of scriptures in religion, with the speakers mentioning that scriptures like the Hebrew Bible may not necessarily be about religion but contain historical and other kinds of content.

Karen Armstrong has written over 16 books on faith and the major religions, studying what Islam, Judaism and Christianity have in common, and how our faiths have shaped world history and drive current events. She came to the Intelligence Squared stage to talk about her forthcoming book 'Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence'. Journeying from prehistoric times to the present, she contrasted medieval crusaders and modern-day jihadists with the pacifism of the Buddha and Jesus’ vision of a just and peaceful society. And she demonstrated that the underlying reasons – social, economic, political – for war and violence in our history have often had very little to do with religion. Instead, Armstrong celebrates the religious ideas and movements that have opposed war and aggression and promoted peace and reconciliation. Armstrong was in discussion with journalist and broadcaster Tom Sutcliffe.

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