Sample DBQ Essay: Do Religious Beliefs and Principles Justify War?
Religion has been an essential element in civilizations’ organization, structure, psyche, and
justification for actions. Religious beliefs and principles are used to justify extreme measures in many
world religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Confucianism, and Hinduism. These major
religions have various views on the position of man in the universe and the relationship between them and
their god(s). Religion is used in varying degrees to soothe the believer about war, to justify the war itself,
and to provide personal and spiritual incentives for war. Another perspective that would be useful would
be writings from Buddhist monks or nuns who might tend to have a more peaceful interpretation of religion
through the de-emphasis of materialism and the focus on the individual. Also, writings from Lao-Tzu
pertaining to Taoism would emphasize harmony with nature and action through non-action, as opposed to
bloodshed.
Religion is a useful way to appease peoples’ fears about this world and the next and the emotional
strain of war is no different. In the Bhagavad-Gita, (Doc.1), is an attempt to use the Hindu concept of
reincarnation to soothe the consciences of soldiers. In the tale, the main character Arjuna is hesitating
about going to war because he will be facing his cousins in battle. Arjuna is reassured that killing in this
life is not definite, the atman (soul) continues through reincarnation. (Doc 1). Another route of
appeasement is to apply scientific measures and analysis to battle as seen in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War,
(Doc.3). By making war more systematic and emphasizing strategy over pure physical fighting, Sun Tzu
shows that following the Dao, and appraisals can bring success, which is reassuring. (Doc. 3). In making
war an artform, Sun Tzu is also emphasizing that the factors of success and defeat are contingent upon
man’s decisions, not divine intervention.
Another way that religion justifies war is to establish it as part of your civic or spiritual duty. In
the Bhagadad Gita it is stated that “Treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss, and victory and defeat alike,
engage yourself in your duty. By doing your duty this way you will not incur sin.” (Doc. 1). In
emphasizing people’s dharma, this Hindu document encourages people to fight if it is required, just as they
are expected to follow their other responsibilities within the varna system. In the Book of Joshua, the
Hebrews are illustrated as having the responsibility to remove places that are sinful, or that go against their
covenant with God.(Doc. 2). It is said that with the trumpet and loud shout, the wall collapsed, inferring
that God was indeed on their side for the walls to crumble.(Doc. 2). Also, the slaughter was justified after
“they devoted the city to the LORD.” (Doc. 2) In the excerpt from the Qu’ran, there is an expectation put
forth that believers have a responsibility to come to the aid of weak men, women, and children and deliver
those that are oppressed. (Doc. 4). Pope Innocent III’s writings are coming from the temporal leader of the
Roman Catholic Church and builds upon the earlier ruling by Pope Urban II in the First Crusade, that it is
only a sin to kill Christians. Pope Innocent III is calling for the conquest of the Holy Land for religious
reasons, but certainly would stand to benefit economically and politically as well. Pope Innocent III makes
it clear that it is every believer’s responsibility to support the Crusade, either by physically fighting
themselves or financially backing the endeavor. As with many of these religious writings, if support is not
given, there will be repercussions in the hereafter.
Believers are expected to participate with the understanding that their actions will affect their
afterlife. Incentive is provided by the promise of a temporal or spiritual reward or by the threat of eternal
damnation. Pope Innocent III stated that in exchange for upholding their duties with the Crusade, believers
would receive remission of their sins that could lead to a better chance at heaven, but if they didn’t help,
they would be judged on the last day. (Doc. 5). In the Bhagavad-Gita, it is stated that “You will go to
heaven if killed, or you will enjoy the kingdom of earth if victorious.” (Doc. 1). Within the Qu’ran, jihad
or holy war is reinforced with the statement that “those who readily fight in the cause of GOD are those
who forsake this world in favor of the Hereafter.”(Doc. 4).
People acting upon the express interest of their god(s) is another key concept in many of these
religious documents. That their god(s) is/are on their side. The holy books themselves give valuable
insights into the intent behind the teachings. The holy books of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all include
the writings and words of prophets, of those that are speaking for their god. The Art of War was written by
a philosopher and warrior, reflecting the more secular and state-based tone of Chinese society. All
examples show that religion as well as war is a strong unifier, for political, social, and economic benefits.