Using God and Religion as a Weapon - The Emergent Self Blog

Throughout history, religion has been used as a powerful tool for good and bad. It has been used to bring people together and to inspire them to do great things. Unfortunately, it has also been used as a weapon, to divide people and to justify violence and oppression. One of the ways that religion has been used as a weapon is by using God as a tool to achieve political, social or personal agendas. This article aims to explore the concept of using God as a weapon, its origins, and its implications.

Origins of Using God as a Weapon

The idea of using God as a weapon can be traced back to ancient times. In ancient civilizations, rulers often claimed that they were appointed by God to rule, and they used this claim to justify their power and authority. Similarly, religious leaders used the concept of God to enforce their authority over their followers. They claimed to have a direct line of communication with God and used this claim to manipulate their followers.

In more recent times, the concept of using God as a weapon has been used by various groups and individuals to achieve their goals. For example, during the Crusades, Christian leaders used the concept of God to justify the invasion and conquest of Muslim lands. Similarly, during the Spanish Inquisition, the Catholic Church used the concept of God to justify the torture and execution of people who were deemed to be heretics.

Here are some signs that someone you know may be using God as a weapon:

They use their beliefs to judge and condemn others: If they use their beliefs to judge and condemn others, they may be using God as a weapon. Using God to justify their judgment of others can create an environment of fear and intolerance.
They claim to have a monopoly on the truth: If they claim to have the only correct interpretation of God’s will, they may be using God as a weapon. This can lead to the suppression of dissenting voices and the marginalization of those who hold different beliefs.
They use their beliefs to justify violence: If they use their beliefs to justify violence, they are definitely using God as a weapon. Using God to justify violence can lead to conflict and the erosion of human rights.
They use your beliefs to manipulate others: If they use their beliefs to manipulate others, they may be using God as a weapon. Using God to manipulate others can lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and the erosion of trust.
They use their beliefs to advance their own agenda: If they use their beliefs to advance their own agenda, they may be using God as a weapon. Using God to advance your own agenda can lead to the suppression of opposing views and the erosion of democracy.

People who use their god and religion as a weapon are quick to use phrases such as:

“I’ll pray for you”
“God will judge you”
“You are going to hell”
“God hates [insert the group]”
“It’s God’s will”
“It’s in the Bible”
“God said it! I believe it! That settles it!”

Weaponizing God includes singing songs such as “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “God Hates the World,” which is sung by the Westboro Baptist Church to promote the idea that God hates the world and is punishing it for its sins. The opening lines of the hymn, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,” refer to the biblical prophecy of the Second Coming of Christ. The song goes on to describe the Union army as “His truth [Christ’s] is marching on,” implying that the Union army is fighting on the side of God’s truth. The hymn also contains several references to the biblical book of Revelation, which describes the end of the world and the defeat of evil. For example, the line “He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword” refers to the judgment and punishment of the wicked described in Revelation.

Using God as a weapon is not limited to religion. In politics, leaders often use God to justify their policies and actions. For example, during the Cold War, the United States government claimed that it was fighting a war against communism, which it portrayed as an atheistic ideology. It used the concept of God to portray the United States as a defender of religious freedom and to rally support for its policies. We have only to look to the likes of some recent high-level politicians and political groups to see evidence of God used as a weapon.

Implications of Using God as a Weapon

Using God as a weapon can have serious implications for individuals and societies. One of the main implications is that it can lead to violence and conflict. When individuals or groups use God to justify their actions, they often portray their opponents as enemies of God. This can lead to a cycle of violence and retaliation, as each side seeks to defend its view of God.

Using God as a weapon can also lead to the suppression of dissenting voices. When individuals or groups claim to have a direct line of communication with God, they often portray their views as the only true interpretation of God’s will. This can lead to the marginalization and persecution of those who have different views.

Furthermore, using God as a weapon can lead to the erosion of democracy and the rule of law. When individuals or groups claim to have a divine mandate to rule, they often disregard the will of the people and the laws of the land. This can lead to authoritarianism and the suppression of human rights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using God as a weapon can become a dangerous and harmful practice that has been used throughout history to achieve political, social, or personal agendas. It leads to violence, suppression of dissenting voices, and the erosion of democracy and human rights. As such, it is important for individuals and societies to be aware of the dangers of using God as a weapon and to resist those who seek to use it for their own purposes. It is only through dialogue, respect, and understanding that we can build a more peaceful and just world.