A few Sundays ago there was a horrific attack on three small villages near Jos, Nigeria because of Muslim/Christian clashes. This is the latest in a series of altercations between adherents of the two religions in this region. These attacks, which saw the needless deaths of hundreds of people, are sadly only the latest amongst many similar incidents of hate in the name of religion. Not one of the major world religions has its hands clean in this regard, for while all have at times been the victims of religious hatred, at some point in history each and every single one of them have also actively participated in violence against others in the name of God.

The Vatican denies that religious reasons are solely behind this latest attack, instead pointing to many underlying social and economic factors. The Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria, John Onaiyekan, has stated that the clashes have resulted from conflict between Muslim shepherds and Christian farmers. Interestingly enough, the clash between nomads and pastoralists is ages old with many scholars believing that the story of Cain (shepherd) and Abel (farmer) is an ancient example of these tensions which are commonly created by competing over resources.

Whatever the reasons religious violence remains a deep stain on the reputations of all religions. Many of the so called ‘new age atheists’ who are vehemently against any form of religion whatsoever, would cite this as a perfect example as to why religions bring more harm to the world than good. While most Christians (sadly, not all) would equally vehemently deny that any form of violence in the name of God is ever justifiable, it is concerning that we do not seem willing to engage more comprehensively with this issue. We should carefully interrogate exactly what it is that is so deeply wrong with killing in the name of God, so as to offer more meaningful and helpful responses to those left questioning these incidents.

In her book ‘The Ten Commandments – Laws of the Heart,’ Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun, makes an interesting point regarding the third commandment – “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God” (NIV). Whereas we traditionally limit our understanding of this commandment to mean that we should not use God’s name as an expletive or too casually, Chittister presents a much deeper and more significant understanding. She explains that in ancient times when these commandments were first given, society attached greater importance to names. Names had a great deal of power. To name someone was to endow them with the characteristics implied by that name (a belief still held in many cultures). Thus, to take the name of God and attach it to any exercise or venture should be done with great humility, and even trepidation. As Chittister explains swearing is not the most insulting way of taking God’s name “in vain,” but whenever and wherever we use God’s name to exploit, or to exert power, or as a means of attaining selfish gain it becomes a matter of far greater severity.

This is why any and all violence in the name of God, which is so contrary to the spirit and message of God, actually violates the sacred name, and therefore the character and nature of God. As Annie Lamott once wrote so succinctly, “You can safely assume that you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” To allow this criticism to be laid only at the door of those who participate in physical violence would be foolishly misleading. We hurt people with verbal violence “in the name of Jesus” all the time. A friend of mine who offers a fairly liberal and yet very compassionate version of Christianity once shared with me that the “religious right” (his words) never seem to engage with the content of what he has to say but seem only interested in “character assassination” (again his own words). For example, critics have emotively called him “the whore of Babylon” without ever taking the time to reasonably explain why the critic feels he has fallen into heresy. I don’t happen to think Christians need to agree with everything my friend says, but for the life of me cannot fathom why people cannot extend to him the love and grace of the same Jesus they feel so desperate to defend.

Really, what happened in Jos, Nigeria happens in so many different ways all the time. It happens whenever we use verbal violence, gossip or slander and somehow feel entitled to attach the name of Jesus to it. Of course, we can challenge and disagree with each other to our hearts content – let’s just do it in a way that is obedient to Jesus’ command to treat others with love, respect and dignity. Furthermore, as we keep in mind Chittister’s teaching regarding the third commandment, we should be extremely humble and gentle with whatever we might want to pronounce in God’s name.
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This article has been written by the Rev. Gareth Killeen, the editor of CruxMobi – a mobile based magazine which seeks to connect Christian faith with news, current events and real life issues. See http://cruxmedia/mobi