Argam Amirkhanian

Karol Gomez

Salman

Zach Schillace

RS 306

03.03.2017

Group 3 - Sacred Violence

Zach Schillace

Exterminate All The Brutes – Sven Lindqvist

Identify statements that impressed you the most in this text.
Some of the first hand accounts the author referenced impressed me very much. For
instance the account of a Swedish officer in the Congo on page 17, “Morality, love,
friendship – all such things are lacking in the savage, said Pagels. The savage respects
nothing but brute strength. He regards friendliness as stupidity. So one should never show
a savage any friendship.”
Also the author’s anecdotes about modern Europe and the tendency that still exists to
inflict physical punishment on family members in the form of whipping was eye opening,
“Right up to 1966, Swedish parents had the legal right to thrash their children… Even today
in France it is possible to buy a special leather whip for the chastisement of wives and
children...” pg 18
What did you like or dislike about it
I thought that it was a bit much that the writer reduced all of European history and
enterprise to a single sentence from a fictional novel. While European civilization has
committed atrocities at home and abroad in its past, I felt that the lens the author used to
view it through negatively affected the impact of the piece.
I did like that the author explored the fact that atrocities and genocides are not a hallmark
of purely German culture, but that many European states, and indeed other cultures from
around the globe committed atrocities throughout history with some form of ideology to
justify their actions. For instance the author references exterminations by the Soviet Union
in the 1930s, and the consideration that it might be what inspired the Nazi death camps a
decade later.
What is the significance of this text for our course
The author makes reference several times to European Imperialism, and its byproducts
such as atrocities, were sometimes shrouded with a belief that these exertions in
colonialism were successful because of God’s grace and favor. Also the author comments
that Imperialism was often couched in the language of the sacred, presumably as a balm for
any compunctions those who enacted colonial policy.
Several times the author makes reference to the idea that European military domination
led to a belief that they were in addition perhaps intellectually and biologically superior. To
follow this train of thought, native peoples and their belief systems would naturally be
inferior and must be either eliminated or converted. In addition there was the connotation
made from sources of the time that technological innovations that allowed European
domination of other peoples and nations, was in a way divinely inspired to help spread
civilization. The author even calls them the “weapons of the Gods”, and in some ways we
have to wonder how those Europeans felt, conquering millions of people with a handful of
men and even fewer casualties of their own.
In his passage on the taking of the city of Benin by the British, the author specifically
mentions how the “idols”, and strange (by European standards) religious rites (which were
equated to blood or human sacrifices) were used as a justification of the complete
obliteration of a nation, and culture.
What did you learn from this assignment?
As the text mentions, it is not often that Europeans heard or listened to the thoughts or
reactions of the people they conquered. Similarly I had not ever read a primary source of a
native leaders actually words in response to colonialism, such as Chief Somabulano’s words
on page 62, “You came, you conquered. The strongest takes the land. We accepted your
rule. We lived under you. But not as dogs! If we are to be dogs it is better to be dead. You
can never make the Amandabele dogs. You may wipe them out. But the Children of the
Stars can never be dogs.”
Another repetitive theme that I thought was interesting was this idea that Europeans who
ventured into Africa, became more likely to inflict horrible suffering and death on natives
because they were invisible to and therefore not beholden to European civilization and
standards. The idea is that Europeans, when all accountability or societal conscience was
removed, became savage, and uncivilized in their behavior.
Why is Eurocentrism a dangerous attitude? Explain how?
The author quotes HG Wells ​War of the Worlds​, “Just because we have been successful at
one time, we should not think the future belongs to us. In the case of every other
predominant animal the world has ever seen, I repeat, the hour of its complete ascendancy
has been the eve of its complete overthrow.” Indeed, barely twenty years after the time
period the author examines most, the British Empire, which had been the most extensive
and powerful the world had ever seen, was crumbling. The illusion of preeminence
European culture and civilization was shattered over the course of two vicious global wars,
wars that saw the great colonial Empires of all nations broken. Eurocentrism was
dangerous in the past because the superiority that it engendered in the military, leadership,
and citizenry of Europeans during their colonial experience led directly to atrocities abroad
in the colonies, and even to European wars which extinguished millions of lives. It also led
to a blind belief that European culture, religion and civilization was the only valid examples
in the world, leading to the destruction of many indigenous religions and cultures.
Today, Eurocentrist beliefs can still cause harm, leading to tensions between other cultures,
whether they are new citizens who emigrate to European nations, or even between other
non-European nations. Even today, the idea that cultures the West finds itself at odds with
are “barbarians who only respect strength...” is widely circulated by politicians, pundits,
and the media, whether they are talking about ISIS, North Korea, or even less belligerent,
non-European nations whose motives, culture, or history are hard to understand.

Zach Schillace
War Prayer – Mark Twain
What does Twain say about religion in this text?
The major comment I believe that Mark Twain is trying to impress upon the reader, is that
often religion (in this example Christianity) is invoked to support an action (victory over
the enemy), the results of which may be in fact, decidedly against the tenets of that faith. In
this case, the parishioners, by wishing for glory for their fellow men who are going to war,
and praying for victory over the enemy, they are also hoping for the deaths and suffering of
another nation of people. This latter thought, the stranger who berates them, is often
suppressed because it is unpalatable, but it is still there. In Twain’s words it is a “double
edged sword”.
What do you think about this text?
I think that it is an interesting example of reasoning applied to patriotic, nationalist and
religious fervor. It critiques not only the religious implications of praying for victory, but
the connotations on the politics of the time as well. It must have seemed ironic to him and
to others of his time, that a nation which was founded by throwing off Imperialist shackles,
and had just recently fought a civil war over lofty ideas such as (among other things)
emancipation, and the rights of people who had previously lived in slavery, would become
embroiled in a colonial war of its own, imposing its imperialism on a people attempting to
free themselves. This draws parallels to ​Exterminate All The Brutes​, especially its focus on
religious or nationalist convictions related to a feeling of righteousness when dominating
“uncivilized” people.
What did you learn from it?
This was the first primary source I have read that relates to the Philippine-American War. I
thought that was a good example of how, in our rush to support our faith, nation, and
military even well meaning, good, religious people can inadvertently end up hoping for
sacred violence to be imposed on others.

Argam Amirkhanian

Gods Warriors​ - ​Videos by Amanpour

By watching all the documentaries I learned that every religion believes in a god and they do

what it shows in their bible. Every major religion of the world has expressed at some point,

through its leaders and thinkers, a commitment to the value of peace. I grew up in Iran and I had

both Muslim friends and christen I’m a christian myself. Every religion has good and bad people

that depends how you were raised it does not depend on your religion and beliefs. The Bible does

teach a lot of moral and spiritual values. We learn to follow the footsteps of Jesus by always

treating other the way you want to be treated, Most of the religions believe the same thing. In
Iran when Mohammad Reza Shah was in charge peoples point of views were different they were

still a lot of Muslims who believed in Emam Hosein which is why Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was

supported by the United States, and its eventual replacement with an Islamic Republic under the

Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution, supported by various Islamic Organizations and

student movements. Now Iran is under the Islamic Republic and their religion and point of view

is different. Every year for Ashura and Tasua they go out call Emam Hosein name so he can

help them with all the hardships in life. Judaism's purpose is to carry out what it holds to be the

only Agreement between God and the Jewish People. The Torah is the primary guide for Jews to

stand by these terms. This continuous maintenance of relationship between the individual Jew

and God through either study, or prayer repeated three times daily, is the confirmation of the

original agreement. This allows the Jewish people as a community to try and fulfill what god

wants them to do. Us Christians believe in Jesus Christ as the God and protector through faith

and in some Christian traditions, good works.

Overall I believe no matter what your religion is you can be a different person if you want to you

do not have to follow what you do not believe in specially in America where there are a lot of

mixed religions living together.

Karol Gomez

Section 3
1. ​Malleus Maleficarum

Malleus Maleficarum also known as the Hammer of Witches is a book which was written by

Catholic clergyman Heinrich Kramer. The theory of the book is based on the extermination of
witches. This book was not published or approved by the catholic church due to the legal

procedures being unethical but that’s when Kramer forged a letter of approval.

2. ​The burning of witches in Europe and the US

About eighty people were accused of practicing witchcraft.

Thirteen women and two men were executed in a witch hunt that lasted 1645-1663. The last

person hanged for witchcraft in the American colonies was executed on September 22, 1692. I

learned that this was an attempt the exterminate Christianity’s rival region with the witches who

were members of a Pagan Sect.

3. ​Salem witch trials

Series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts

between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people,

fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging in the spring of 1692.

This all began when girls accused three victims of witchcraft in 1693. During this time in

Massachusetts during the 17​th​ century Christians feared that the Devil was trying to destroy them.

4. ​Inquisition

The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the government system of the Catholic Church

whose aim was to combat heresy. It started in 12th-century France to combat religious

sectarianism, in particular the Cathars and the Waldensians.

The Spanish Inquisition was founded in 1478 by Ferdinand and Isabella to maintain Catholic

orthodoxy in their kingdoms and was under the direct control of the Spanish monarchy. It was

not definitively abolished until 1834, during the reign of Isabella II.

Ferdinand and Isabella chose Catholicism to unite Spain and in 1478 asked permission of the

pope to begin the Spanish Inquisition to purify the people of Spain. They began by driving out

Jews, Protestants and other non-believers. In 1483 Tomas de Torquemada became the

inquisitor-general for most of Spain

5. ​Crusades

It took place between 1095 and 1291. This was when armies of Christians from Western Europe

responded to Pope Urban II's plea to go to war against Muslim forces in the Holy Land. Tens of

thousands of people (both soldiers and civilians) were killed in the conquest of Jerusalem. The

Crusaders themselves suffered; historians estimate that only one in 20 survived to even reach the

Holy Land. It is estimated that 1.7 million people died in total.

6. ​Anti-Modernism

Anti-Modernism is the movement in Roman Catholic thought that sought to interpret the

teachings of the Church in the light of philosophic and scientific conceptions prevalent in the late

19th and early 20th centuries: condemned by Pope Pius X in 1907. Also, this was the liberal

theological tendency in Protestantism in the 20​th​ century.

7.​ The burning of Giordano Bruno

Giordano Bruno, original name Filippo Bruno, byname Il Nolano (born 1548, Nola, near

Naples—died February 17, 1600, Rome) Italian philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, and

occultist whose theories anticipated modern science.

The 16th-century Italian philosopher (and former Catholic priest) Giordano Brunowas burned at

the stake for a stubborn adherence to his then unorthodox beliefs—including the ideas that the

universe is infinite and that other solar systems exist.

8. ​The Galileo trial

Galileo was once again called before the Inquisition and this time was found guilty of heresy.

Heresy is when your belief of your opinion contradicts the orthodox religion. Galileo was

sentenced to life imprisonment in 1633. Because of his age and poor health, he was allowed to

serve his imprisonment under house arrest.

9. ​St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre

The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre (French: Massacre de la Saint-Barthélemy) in 1572 was a

targeted group of assassinations and a wave of Catholic mob violence, directed against the

Huguenots (French Calvinist Protestants) during the French Wars of Religion.

What did you learn about the nature and history of religion from these events? What is

your personal reflection on religion in light of this history? What lesson did you learn from

this?

My personal reflection on religion in light of this history would be that there is a lot of raw

history when it comes to religion that we nowadays don't even think about. The lesson I learned

is that it's important to look into the history of religion to truly understand what you stand for. A

lot of times we claim a religion simply due to following our parent’s guidance as our morals and

values are shaped around it. Although, I do feel that it is important to know about the history of

the religion you find yourself to claim. This research expanded my knowledge on Catholicism

and historical events that have occurred which are affiliated with the religion.

Salman

Section 4: American Christianity & Sacred Violence

Religious Beliefs in America

I felt surprised because the pastor claims to be praying for God’s will, but on the contrary,

it's God who gives life and allows everyone to live. It's astonishing praying for someone's death

just because they do not do things according to your expectation. Notably, the pastor contradicts

his actions by saying people can hold and understand religious beliefs in a different way.

Ironically, President Obama and Doctor Tiller are also right in their actions. In addition to that,
the death of the doctor might have coincided with his constant death-prayers making the pastor

assured of a God of justice.

America is a country that believes in God, and their constitution allows citizens to

worship and practice different religious beliefs. On this, all the religious bodies claim to be the

best and final destination to God. The methods of worship enable the worshipers to understand

the ultimate reality and also give them a purpose for living (Battle et al. 36). Accordingly, many

people have always used the beliefs to claim and justify their actions even if they are

inappropriate. Religion imposes a supreme law which must be followed irrespective of other

rules (Chen et al. 464). The idea is that there is a final reward by adhering to their regulations.

Besides, the suffering and powerless individuals use religion as a tool of war in America. It's

worth noting that, religion remains a barrier to change in America. In fact, most religions are

conservative in nature. In fact, they strive to leave only in the accepted ways of their Creator.

To me, religion should be a path to healthy life. Faith-based morals and objectives are

mostly similar across the world, and they aim at purpose meaning to life. Besides, everyone

should have a right to worship. Religion, therefore, creates peace and increase understanding to

all people.

Works Cited
Battle, Juan, Antonio Jay Pastrana Jr, and Angelique Harris. "Religion and Spirituality." ​An

Examination of Black LGBT Populations Across the United States​. Palgrave Macmillan

US, 2017. Pp. 35-44.

Chen, Yung-Lung, et al. "Religious Practices in Cross-cultural Contexts: Indonesian Male

Science Students’ Adjustment in Taiwan." ​Journal of Counseling Psychology Vol. 62,

No.3, (2015): pp. 464.