Hard problem: sacred violence and peace mandates

Abstract

Traditions justify, restrain, or renounce violence by appealing to foundational cosmological and ethical frameworks that define the nature of conflict, order, and ultimate purpose. Violence is justified when framed as a necessary tool for restoring a disrupted cosmic balance (as in the Roman pursuit of pax deorum), as a righteous struggle in a dualistic cosmos where good must combat an active principle of evil or destruction (as in Zoroastrianism), or as the enforcement of divine law and covenantal obligations (as in the Abrahamic traditions). Conversely, violence is restrained or renounced through absolute ethical prohibitions against harm (Ahimsa in Jainism), philosophies centered on achieving inner liberation from worldly entanglements (Buddhism), and worldviews that prioritize the maintenance of harmony and balance above all else (Hózhó in the Navajo tradition). When cosmic or moral conflict is invoked, traditions offer resources for peace by re-framing the conflict as internal and spiritual rather than external and physical, by appealing to unifying principles like the oneness of humanity (Baháʼí Faith), or by elevating virtues of compassion, love, and selfless service as the ultimate expression of faith (Christianity, Sikhism).…

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Author: Metaism
Editorial: Michael Melillo
Type: meta_synthesis
Version: 1
Visibility: public
License: CC-BY-4.0
Generated: 2026-08-13
Published: 2026-08-13
Canonical ID: meta_synthesis:hard-problem:violence-peace
Digest: 2779bb557d28477f652807ae9ace2b761ea47bd1d926ce0051748c2acd2fa504
Traditions: Egyptian Religion, Christianity, Ancient Greek Religion, Ancient Greek religion, Atheism, Platonism, Yoruba religion, Mind & Consciousness Canon, Western Philosophy, Freethought, Greek Mythology, Hinduism, Australian Aboriginal Spirituality, Sumerian Religion, Australian Aboriginal spirituality, Akkadian Religion, Ancient Near Eastern religion, Mixtec tradition, African Traditional Religion, Bu… (53)

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Metaism Research Consortium (2026). Hard problem: sacred violence and peace mandates. Metaism Research Reports (v1). Retrieved from https://metaism.com/research/hard-problem-sacred-violence-and-peace-mandates-46630ab1. License: CC-BY-4.0. Integrity digest: 2779bb557d28477f652807ae9ace2b761ea47bd1d926ce0051748c2acd2fa504.