Oostindie, Frank
(2018)
European Jihadism and the Religious Congruence Fallacy.
Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
Abstract
The idea that religion causes violence finds resonance in both the public and academic discourse. However, relationship between violence and religion is characterized by ambiguity. Religion and violence interact in ways that are not well understood. Unsurprisingly, scholars have reached contrasting conclusions regarding the violent nature of religion. This raises the question to what extent religion and violence are connected. In this thesis, I will revisit the religious violence thesis by studying the motives, backgrounds and ideologies of European jihadists. A review of the literature on jihadism makes clear that the motives, backgrounds and ideologies of jihadists vary considerably. Jihadists defy a single profile. More importantly, most jihadists act in ways that suggest their actions do not (directly) stem from their religious beliefs. By using Mark Chaves’s theory on religious incongruence, I am able to reflect on the role that religion plays in relation to violent behavior. As Chaves’s theory on religious incongruence illustrates, most behavior does not logically follow from people’s religious beliefs, views, rituals and practices. Jihadists are not exclusively inspired by Islam. Instead, their acts of violence are the product of several socio-psychological factors.
| Type: |
Thesis
(Master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
| Supervisor | E-mail | Tutor organization | Tutor email |
|---|
| Wilde, C.E. | C.E.Wilde@rug.nl | | |
|
| Degree programme: |
Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation |
| Academic year: |
2017- 2018 |
| Date of delivery: |
12 Oct 2018 |
| Last modified: |
12 Oct 2018 12:22 |
| URI: |
https://ggw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/426 |
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