Religion, extremism, violence

Authors

  • Andrey V. Danilov Saints Methodius and Cyrill Institute of Theology, Belarusian State University, 24 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Мinsk 220018, Belarus

Keywords:

religious identity, radicalization, extremism, violence, Islamism, conflicts, fundamentalism

Abstract

Extremism is associated with the political ambitions of gaining power through violence. Such ambitions can also be present in religion, especially if it imposes universalist claims. There is religiously motivated extremism in the movements for which the conception of the impossibility of tolerant attitude to other religious forms and views is typical. Religious extremism, exemplified by Islamism today, is directed toward establishing a theocracy, not a political dictatorship. Constantly ready for violence, religious extremism is drifting towards religious terrorism, which is an aggressive violent act against people who disagree with extremists. Violence serves religious, political or ideological purposes, and terrorism is a mean of putting pressure.

Author Biography

  • Andrey V. Danilov, Saints Methodius and Cyrill Institute of Theology, Belarusian State University, 24 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Мinsk 220018, Belarus

    doctor of philosophy, PhD (theology); head of the department of religious studies

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Published

2019-03-18

Issue

No. 3 (2018): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology

Section

Religious Extremism in the Modern World

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How to Cite

[1]
Danilov, A.V. 2019. Religion, extremism, violence. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology. 3 (Mar. 2019), 67–73.