Religion and Evil from the Perspective of Mimetic Theory

André Lascaris

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Religion and Evil from the Perspective of Mimetic Theory

In: Coping with Evil in Religion and Culture

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André Lascaris

André Lascaris
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 185–199

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789401205375_013

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This paper is based on a specific anthropology, the mimetic theory, developed by the French literary scholar René Girard for dealing with human violence; evil as a cultural phenomenon. Here violence is viewed as the primary form of evil. Earthquakes, tornadoes, and the morbid growth of cells in the body are called evil in an analogous way. It is rather the human response that determines whether something is evil and evokes the question: How does one cope with violence? Unmasking the scapegoat mechanism and refusing to apply it helps prevent violence. The enemy, the potential scapegoat, is humanized through love and the distinction between "us" and "him" is rejected. In many cases, doing the unexpected and using paradoxical interventions may stop or prevent violence. The vicious circle of violence is broken by asking for forgiveness and by granting it. Forgiveness is not to be understood as an emotion but first of all as an act of acceptance. The mimetic theory relates directly to the question of the relationship between religion and evil. In this theory the world in which we live is a place of desire, conflict and violence; religion is a way of containing violence so that human beings can live together in peace.

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Coping with Evil in Religion and Culture

Case Studies

Series: Currents of Encounter, Volume: 35 and Currents of Encounter Online, Volume: 35

Cover Coping with Evil in Religion and Culture

E-Book ISBN:: 9789401205375

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 01 Jan 2008

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African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
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Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
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Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

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Religion and Evil from the Perspective of Mimetic Theory

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Coping with Evil in Religion and Culture

Case Studies

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