The Business Strategy Analyst  with Jules Nartey-Tokoli: Faith, war, and  development (1): Unpacking the complexities

In the quest for sustainable development, especially in the Global South, questions arise about religion's impact. Is it a force for unity or division? Does it promote progress or regression? Is it a source of morality or manipulation?

Religion can inspire peace and compassion. One might think it would naturally support societal progress. However, history tells a different story. Holy wars and colonial conquests have often been justified in God’s name. Modern religious extremism also shows the complex relationship between faith and development.

This two-part article series explores these tensions. It examines faith as both a spiritual anchor and a social force. Often, power structures co-opt religion for purposes that stray from its ideals. We must consider whether institutionalized religion has truly advanced human flourishing.

To understand religion's role in sustainable development, we must look at its foundational influence on society. Religion provides stories, values, and moral codes that shape communities' views on justice and order.

It is central to every society's fabric. From childhood, individuals absorb cultural narratives that answer deep questions about existence. Most societies attribute these answers to a Supreme Being who governs the universe.

Religion serves as a framework for understanding life, death, morality, and meaning. This framework is often inherited from one’s community or family lineage. Despite differences among religions, most teach reverence for a higher power and promote moral conduct based on love and justice.

Given these principles, one might expect religion to foster inner peace and societal harmony consistently. If religion connects us to a loving deity, it should promote unity and holistic development.

In indigenous African governance, religious leaders were crucial advisors to kings. They safeguarded communal ethics against tyranny and moral decay. Similarly, political leaders in Western democracies seek guidance from clergy.

Yet religion's track record in promoting peace and justice is mixed. While it has inspired selfless acts and nation-building efforts, it has also fueled conflict and oppression.

We must ask: Has religion fulfilled its promise as a force for good? Or has it been misused by those in power?

The lofty ideals of religion often clash with reality. Despite teachings of peace, many religions have been weaponized throughout history. Sanctuaries have turned into battlegrounds while faith fuels conflict.

Should religion support war? This question highlights one of humanity's controversial intersections—religion versus violence. Although associated with peace and compassion, faith has enabled numerous violent conflicts.

Some argue that when defending one's nation or protecting innocents, religion can justify warfare. However, this justification is often misused throughout history.

The pursuit of power disguised as peace frequently leads to bloody confrontations. Religious rhetoric legitimizes invasions by cloaking them in spiritual virtue.

From ancient empires to modern states, divine approval rallies armies while silencing dissenters. When religious leaders bless military campaigns, they stir dangerous fervor among citizens.

The cries of “God is on our side” turn neighbors into enemies across continents. The tragic irony is that both sides suffer irreparable losses: innocent deaths and fractured societies result from such conflicts.

Religiously-fueled wars often reverse progress instead of facilitating development—leaving devastation behind them.

Whether during the Crusades or sectarian conflicts like those in Ireland or Nigeria—the question remains: Can any faith justify war in the name of a loving God?

Religious violence extends beyond overt warfare too; colonialism reveals an insidious use of faith as domination cloaked in salvation.
Christianity significantly influenced European colonization and the transatlantic slave trade.
Missionaries often aligned with colonial powers while presenting themselves as benevolent agents.
Their activities facilitated subjugation of indigenous populations under the guise of civilization.
The Church’s involvement highlights its complex relationship with colonial enterprises.
Religious justifications for slavery were common; biblical passages endorsed this practice.
Some proponents cited scriptures to legitimize enslaving Africans.
This theological backing provided moral cover for treating enslaved individuals cruelly.
Moreover, institutions like the Church of England invested in companies involved in slavery.
These entanglements show how religious bodies intertwined with colonization mechanisms.
The consequences were devastating; enslaved individuals faced brutal conditions while communities were destroyed.
Today’s societies still feel these impacts; discussions about historical injustices continue alongside calls for reconciliation.
While Christianity once justified oppression through colonization—it also birthed forces reshaping modern economies.
Nowhere is this clearer than capitalism—where religious values around work helped create powerful models of development.
The second part will address this topic further along with others related to faith's role today.