Definition of Holy War

The name of the wars does not present a specific pattern. Some are named after one of the countries involved (Vietnam War), others that are known to the contenders (Russo-Japanese War), by its global scope (the First or Second World War) or by the period of time (War of the 30 years). In the case of this post, we will address the concept of Holy War, so called because the fact that inspires the military action is religion.

The fundamental idea of ​​any holy war

While most wars are motivated by factors territorial, economic or political, holy wars incorporate the religious sense as the primary cause. It should be emphasized that religions are founded on an ideal of peace Y coexistence among men, but the same men are the ones who interpret religions and can come to consider that it is legitimate to war in the name of a god or of some beliefs.

Throughout history it has been the monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) that have led the majority of holy wars. There is an explanation for this phenomenon: that by considering the three religions that there is only one true God, the propagation of the doctrine of him throughout the world through the

force of weapons. Thus, all three religions have used the "just war" argument as an attack on other peoples and at times as a defense of their own religion.

The holy war starts from another general principle: the unbeliever is an infidel, a sinner and a person far from the authentic faith. As a consequence of this conception, war is a way of defending good and fighting evil.

Religious motivations were at their peak at the time of the Crusades for much of the Middle Ages. In these confrontations, Christianity fought Islam to defend the so-called holy places that had been dominated by Muslims. The two armies each fought for their faith and beliefs and a clear example of this spirit remains manifested in the motto of the Christian crusaders when the first Crusade was declared (Deus Vult, god lo wants).

Jihad in our time

The wars of religion are not part of the past, since today Jihad is inspired by the concept of holy war. According to Islam, jihad has two senses: fight the infidels and defend the principles of law Islamic or Sharia. In any case, supporters of jihad consider it to be a mandate of their own religion. As is known, this interpretation it is not shared by the group of faithful of the Islamic religion, only by some radical versions.

The Islamic fundamentalism that defends jihadism as a form of struggle connects with the movement Sunni, specifically with Salafism. Salafism is a heterogeneous movement but most of its followers interpret Islam from radical criteria and based on the literalness of the sacred texts.

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