Lately I have been thinking about violence & sibling rivalry. One of scripture’s earliest major themes entails violence and sibling rivalry [Note: The scriptures I am referring to are the scriptures of the three Abrahamic Traditions – the ‘People of the Book’]. In scripture the first sibling rivalry emerged between Cain and Able. These siblings engaged in rivalry which morphed into violence. There are many other sibling rivalries contained in scripture and a significant number of those also morphed into violence.
The ‘People of the Book’ – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – have been locked in a violent, at times near fatal embrace for so long that we miss that these are three siblings. Their father is Abraham. These three sibling rivalries are covered in what Girard calls ‘mimetic desire’ – in this case, the desire for the same thing: Abraham’s Promise.
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are not just three different faith traditions or civilizations. If they were each one would consider themselves a chosen people. They would just ignore one another. Their differences would not have led to centuries of bloodshed and animosity.
When traditions are merely different, each stands on its own ground. Pauline Christianity, however, claims that it is heir to the Abrahamic covenant; it replaced Judaism. Islam is built on the incorporation of Judaism and Christianity into its own belief that it is heir to the Abrahamic covenant.
These three traditions are competing brothers. Each sees the other as a profound existential threat. At the heart of each is the idea that within humanity there is one privileged position – the favored son, the chosen people, guardian of the truth and the gatekeepers of salvation.
A major consequence is conflict of the most existential kind, for what is at stake is the most precious gift of all: God’s Favored Love – God’s Paternal Love. One tradition’s victory requires the other two being defeated. Defeat would lead to humiliation – to a dethronement from being the favorite son. This leads to revenge and violence.
Thus, strife is perpetuated. Their relationship becomes antagonistic, conflictual. Only one can prevail by defeating the others. Two will serve the ‘One.’ This has been the relationship between the three brothers. As in Biblical times, the younger believes it has prevailed over the older. Christianity did so to Judaism, Islam did so to both. This continues to be an intense sibling rivalry. Each tradition regards itself as THE heir to the covenant with Abraham.
Strife is inherent in the script. Strife might lie dormant for years but the seeds of rivalry lay dormant waiting to be nurtured into life. Each defines and defends itself by negating the other. It is no wonder that they feel threatened by one another.
I am reading the words Freud used to describe sibling rivalry: ‘impotent rage…elemental, unfathomably deep hostility…death wish…murderous intent…jealous hatred.’ This is the language of violence.
Why does violence exist?
We will briefly explore this crucial question next time.
Searcher-Seeker 