Doubts & Questions
"Sectarianism and religious division caused suffering through history - why should we embrace faith when it led to violence?"
Sectarian Violence Is Not Christianity - It’s a Corruption of It
There’s no denying that religious division has fuelled violence throughout history. From the Crusades to the Troubles in Ireland, people have used religion as a justification for conflict. But does that mean Christianity itself is to blame?
The truth is, sectarian violence has never been about Christ’s teachings - it has been about power, politics, and identity. Jesus never commanded His followers to fight for land, dominance, or political control. In fact, He explicitly rejected violence as a means of spreading faith:
“Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36).
True Christianity transforms hearts and brings reconciliation - it does not divide and destroy.
Sectarian Violence Is About Politics, Not Christ
When we look at religious conflicts, they are rarely about theology - they are about power struggles, national identity, and historical grievances.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland were not primarily a Catholic vs. Protestant war about doctrine - it was about British vs. Irish identity, civil rights, and political control.
The Crusades were fueled as much by political ambition and territorial expansion as by religion.
Even in modern times, religious labels are often used to rally support, but the conflicts themselves are deeply political and historical.
Blaming Christianity for sectarianism is like blaming democracy for wars between nations. The problem isn’t faith - it’s human nature’s tendency to divide and seek control.
Jesus Taught the Opposite of Sectarianism
If people had truly followed Jesus' teachings, sectarianism wouldn’t exist. Jesus preached radical forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity among believers:
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) - Jesus made a Samaritan (a group despised by the Jews) the hero of His story, showing that love should cross religious and ethnic boundaries.
The Early Church - Christianity spread across ethnic and cultural lines, uniting Jews, Greeks, Romans, and others in the same faith (Galatians 3:28).
Christians as Peacemakers - Jesus called His followers to be peacemakers, not aggressors (Matthew 5:9).
Christianity does not call for violence - it calls for unity in Christ, not division by politics.
Christianity Has Brought Peace, Not Just Division
It’s easy to focus on the times when people misused Christianity, but history also shows where faith has been a force for peace and justice.
Martin Luther King Jr. used his Christian faith to lead the nonviolent Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu played a major role in healing South Africa after apartheid through Christian reconciliation.
William Wilberforce fought for the abolition of slavery because of his Christian convictions.
Christian missionaries have brought hospitals, education, and humanitarian aid to the world’s poorest communities.
Where true Christianity has been followed, it has healed societies, not torn them apart.
What’s the Alternative? Is Rejecting Christianity the Answer?
If Christianity is rejected because of sectarianism, what replaces it?
Has secularism ended division? No - wars, discrimination, and power struggles still exist.
Has atheism led to peace? No - atheistic regimes like Stalin’s USSR and Mao’s China led to some of history’s worst violence.
The problem isn’t Christianity - it’s human nature. And Christianity offers the only real solution by changing hearts through Christ’s love.
The Real Question: Will You Judge Christ by His Followers or by His Teachings?
People have misused Christianity, but that doesn’t mean we should reject Christ Himself. Blaming Christianity for sectarian violence is like rejecting medicine because some doctors are corrupt - it ignores the healing power of the real thing.
If you are frustrated by religious division, you’re in good company - so was Jesus. But instead of walking away, why not look at what He actually taught?
True Christianity is not about power - it’s about peace, reconciliation, and love for all people, regardless of their background.