Theocratic Violence: Consequence or Coincidence?
The correlation between religion and violence plays an interesting part in the history of the world. While some societies have used their religious principles to positively impact their legacy, other societies may have deteriorated because of them. While religion does not always beget violence, we must accept that in some cases it may. In this essay, we will explore the nature of violence in society and the role that religion played in shaping both the Ottoman and Aztec Empires. As well as investigating these societies separately, we will compare and contrast the two to understand how their similarities or differences made them the great empires that they were, in the regions that they ruled. …show more content…
Religious beliefs shaped their laws, and their government leaders were the highest ranking members of their respected religions. The Ottoman Empire, however, was unprecedentedly tolerant of people that did not share their religious beliefs, and allowed their citizens to practice their religions without consequence. The Aztec Empire, on the other hand was not as accepting of rival groups, and sacrificed their people to appease the gods. While theocracies typically fail at the large scale as the Aztec Empire did, the Ottoman Empire is a good example of how religion and government can blend, and provide the best outcome for all of its …show more content…
The Ottomans exhibited the most violence on the battle field, like most civilizations did. The Aztecs exhibited their violence by sacrificed innocent people for religious rituals. Although the Aztecs believed that their violent behaviors were a necessity for their survival, we know now that the sun will rise and set without sacrifice and bloodshed.
The differences between the Aztec Empire and Ottoman Empire are extremely surprising, considering the similarities that religion played in shaping each one. The nature of violence in both of these empires is evident, yet the polarity is opposite. Considering these two empires, the evidence shows that there is an association between the degree of religiosity of an empire, and its nature of violence. Exploring these empires independently helps to understand how they relate to one another, and more importantly, what they could have done differently to prevent their ultimate
The correlation between religion and violence plays an interesting part in the history of the world. While some societies have used their religious principles to positively impact their legacy, other societies may have deteriorated because of them. While religion does not always beget violence, we must accept that in some cases it may. In this essay, we will explore the nature of violence in society and the role that religion played in shaping both the Ottoman and Aztec Empires. As well as investigating these societies separately, we will compare and contrast the two to understand how their similarities or differences made them the great empires that they were, in the regions that they ruled. …show more content…
Religious beliefs shaped their laws, and their government leaders were the highest ranking members of their respected religions. The Ottoman Empire, however, was unprecedentedly tolerant of people that did not share their religious beliefs, and allowed their citizens to practice their religions without consequence. The Aztec Empire, on the other hand was not as accepting of rival groups, and sacrificed their people to appease the gods. While theocracies typically fail at the large scale as the Aztec Empire did, the Ottoman Empire is a good example of how religion and government can blend, and provide the best outcome for all of its …show more content…
The Ottomans exhibited the most violence on the battle field, like most civilizations did. The Aztecs exhibited their violence by sacrificed innocent people for religious rituals. Although the Aztecs believed that their violent behaviors were a necessity for their survival, we know now that the sun will rise and set without sacrifice and bloodshed.
The differences between the Aztec Empire and Ottoman Empire are extremely surprising, considering the similarities that religion played in shaping each one. The nature of violence in both of these empires is evident, yet the polarity is opposite. Considering these two empires, the evidence shows that there is an association between the degree of religiosity of an empire, and its nature of violence. Exploring these empires independently helps to understand how they relate to one another, and more importantly, what they could have done differently to prevent their ultimate