With all the wars raging around the world—and the heartbreaking, senseless killing happening right here on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, where I work—I find myself wrestling with a difficult question: What role does religion play in people’s lives today? Faith profoundly shapes communities, offering hope, identity, and moral guidance. But I also see how often that same faith seems powerless to stop violence. Or worse, how it’s used to justify it. Why is it that belief in something sacred, something meant to guide us toward peace and compassion, still cannot prevent leaders—or even ordinary people—from committing such atrocities?
History offers some explanations. Political power, cultural identity, fear, and control have long been tangled with religious belief. But at a certain point, I can’t help but wonder if the honest answer is more unsettling: maybe we’re simply witnessing the grip of evil—real, active, and unchecked. Whether cloaked in holy language or hidden behind national flags, this darkness seems to creep where power and belief collide.
That pushed me to explore this topic more deeply—not just as an academic issue, but as a personal search for understanding. Because across the globe, and in our own backyards, religion is still being used to fuel violence. And we need to ask why.
It’s not a new trick. But the way modern leaders do it—so smooth, so strategic—is worth paying attention to. Whether they believe what they’re saying or not, the effect is the same: religion becomes a tool of power.
Let’s break it down.
1. War as a Holy Responsibility
One of the oldest plays in the book: turn war into a moral obligation. Make people feel like going to battle isn’t just an option—it’s the right thing to do. You’re not invading a country; you’re protecting the innocent. You’re not dropping bombs; you’re fighting evil.
Take George W. Bush. After 9/11, he didn’t just talk about strategy—he spoke of good vs evil. He called certain nations the “axis of evil”, said the U.S. was fighting “evildoers”, and at one point even hinted that God had chosen him to lead the country during this time. That kind of language hit home, especially in a country where faith matters deeply to many. It made the war feel like a moral crusade. Never mind the controversy later—at the time, it worked.
2. Picking and Choosing from Holy Books
Sacred texts are long and complex. They’ve got stories of love and mercy – but also war, vengeance, and smiting enemies. So, when leaders want to justify violence, guess which parts they quote?
In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu sometimes leans on Jewish history and the Bible to
support military actions, especially around the Palestinian conflict. Even though Israel is technically secular, these references to ancient promises and divine land rights resonate deeply with many people. The message becomes this: it isn’t just politics—it’s prophecy.
But again, what’s left out? The parts about justice, peace, and loving your neighbour.
3. Claiming God’s Endorsement
Then there are the leaders who say, “God’s on our side.” Once you go there, how do you argue back? If a war is “God’s will”, who wants to be the person who says, “Actually, maybe not”?
Vladimir Putin has gone all in on this. He’s worked closely with the Russian Orthodox.
Church, and his invasion of Ukraine has been called a “holy struggle” by the church’s patriarch. Putin talks about defending Christian values and morality while sending bombs and troops across borders. It’s a potent mix of religion, nationalism, and military force wrapped up in one package.
4. When Religion Becomes National Identity
In some places, religion isn’t just faith—it’s identity. It’s culture, heritage, and even pride. So, when a nation feels threatened, leaders frame war as defending not just territory, but an entire way of life.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, does this with Hinduism. His government often
blurs the line between faith and patriotism. Actions in places like Kashmir get painted as defending Indian (read: Hindu) values. This approach doesn’t just fuel warlike rhetoric—it also sidelines minorities and tightens control. And it’s all done in the name of unity and pride.
5. Faith as a Political Tool
And sometimes, let’s be honest, it’s not even about belief. It’s about power. Religion becomes a prop—something to wave around when you need to boost approval ratings or justify tricky military moves.
Turkey’s President Erdoğan has done this masterfully. He’s brought Islamic language back into politics, especially when justifying military action in Syria or against Kurdish groups. He talks about Islamic values and Ottoman pride, all while consolidating control and silencing critics. The faith-based language keeps his base loyal—and makes any opposition seem almost unpatriotic or even sacrilegious.
So, What Do We Do With All This?
It’s easy to feel cynical. But I don’t think the takeaway here is “religion is bad” or “leaders are evil”. The real point is this: religion is powerful. It shapes how people see the world, how they vote, how they fight, and how they forgive. That’s why it’s so tempting for leaders to use it, whether they believe in it or not.
So next time a leader invokes God or scripture to explain a war, ask yourself: Is this really about faith? Or is faith just being used to sell a war?
Because in a world where people still live and die based on these decisions, that question isn’t just academic. It matters.
In a world where religion is meant to guide us toward love, peace, and justice, it’s painful to see how often it’s used to justify the opposite. From influential presidents to ordinary citizens, people continue to commit acts of violence in the name of faith—or at least, cloaked in its language. Whether it’s through moral rhetoric, selective scripture, claims of divine support, or the blending of faith with politics, religion becomes a tool not for healing but for harm.
And that leaves those of us who still believe in the core values of compassion and justice deeply unsettled. If faith can’t stop war—or worse, if it’s used to fuel it—what hope is there for peace?
Still, the answer may not lie in abandoning religion but in reclaiming it. In holding our leaders, our communities, and even ourselves accountable to the true spirit of our beliefs. Because if faith is to mean anything at all, it must speak louder in times of conflict than the voices that twist it for power.
So, we must keep asking: Is this really about God—or is God being used to defend something far less divine? That question matters now more than ever—not just for believers, but for anyone who longs for a world where faith leads us toward peace, not war.