by
Remigius Emezu
Remedy Writes…
Religious conflicts have emerged over time as one of the world’s pressing problems. They are destructive and, to a large extent, have caused more harm than good. From time immemorial, the outcomes of religious conflicts have often reflected religious domination, where the strong oppress the weak. This raises an important question: do the ideals of religion truly match the realities of human behavior?
Religion is a system of beliefs connected with God, gods, or the sacred. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines it as the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power. By this definition, religion points to a supernatural being called God. Many religions hold that this supreme being created humankind. If so, did the Creator make humanity only for different religions to fight and kill one another?
When we examine the ideals of different religions, we notice that they are not only about belief in God. They also present moral principles about how human beings should live, relate to one another, and find meaning in life. Christianity, for instance, emphasizes love of God and love of neighbour. It promotes humility, charity, and forgiveness, teaching that faith should be shown in care for others. Jesus said in John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you,” and in Matthew 7:12, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” No one likes to be hated, so why do some Christians still harbor hatred, which contradicts love and can provoke conflict?
Similarly, in Judaism, the golden rule is expressed through Hillel’s teaching: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” This teaching simply means that one should not be harmful or hateful, but should act toward others with the same moral concern one desires for oneself. Islam also teaches a similar principle: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” This means that a Muslim should desire for others the same good, fairness, and dignity that he desires for himself. It is not only about avoiding harm, but also about wishing good for others as one wishes for oneself.
Many other religions also teach similar moral principles concerning human relationships. For example:
Hinduism: Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Jainism: One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
After considering these major teachings from different religions, it becomes difficult to identify any religion that truly condemns peaceful living or promotes war, hatred, and conflict. Religions often teach peace, compassion, and self-restraint. However, human beings are prone to fear, pride, and the sacralization of identity, and these tendencies may turn religious ideals into conflict when they are threatened. People often treat their beliefs as non-negotiable, making compromise difficult and creating room for conflict. Human nature is capable of cooperation and altruism, but it is also vulnerable to tribalism, insecurity, and aggression. When these tendencies enter religion, conflict often follows.
Religious ideals point to what people ought to be, not necessarily what they naturally are. In this sense, religious ideals serve as a moral horizon, while human nature often leans toward self-protection and group identity. Religion can inspire transformation, but it does not erase the human tendencies that resist moral discipline. This tension helps explain why religious conflict exists. While religious ideals aim at elevating human beings, human nature often bends those ideals toward rivalry, fear, and power. When this happens, the religious ideal is distorted, because anything that is bent loses its proper shape. Therefore, there is a conflict between religious aspiration and human nature.
Furthermore, having found ourselves in the pool of religious conflict, there is a need to find a way out. One way is through regular interfaith dialogue, which helps communities understand one another through respectful conversation and reduces suspicion. Another is religious education, which involves teaching people to know both their own faith and the beliefs of others, thereby reducing ignorance and stereotypes.
Finally, there must be empathy in order to curb religious conflict. The society needs an environment where people see one another as neighbors, where grievances are addressed fairly, and where institutions make peace easier than hostility. Our society needs these things, yes! It needs the guidance of religious ideals.
Remigius Emezu is a student of the Don Bosco Institute of Philosophy, Ibadan, Nigeria