Why we need to keep being kindly, even when we see cruelty 

For a short time this year, the three countries that are home to the highest proportion of Buddhists were simultaneously torn by conflict, two with each other. Can we conclude that Buddhism is an inherently warlike religion?

Buddhism has such an unassailably positive reputation that I feel I can ask this and not be taken too seriously.

Despite Buddhism’s cuddly public image, Myanmar’s generals are not showing much loving kindness in their attempt to maintain power – nor did Sri Lanka in its campaign against Tamil insurgents. Cambodia and Thailand did not let their common religion stop them fighting over their border.

Reasonably, you may say that this is not representative of Buddhism as a whole – just look at Bhutan and its Gross National Happiness Index. Would it be different if Myanmar was the world’s one Buddhist state?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between religion and violence over the last two years. I grew up in an atheist house where religion was treated with suspicion as causing intolerance and violence. Despite my upbringing, I don’t think I have an issue with religion as such. Somewhat piously, I see religious beliefs as a core element of identity to be protected as civil and political rights. I try to judge individuals rather than groups.

As philosopher Bertrand Russell put it, “Men tend to have the beliefs that suit their passions. Cruel men believe in a cruel God, and use their belief to excuse their cruelty”.

I can’t extrapolate from one religious person to tarnish all. I can’t decide that everyone who follows that religion is cruel.

I have worked with people whose religious beliefs help them strive to be kindly, adopting values like connection and compassion. Think poster boys like Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi or – to mention a Buddhist – the Dalai Lama. When Bertrand Russell said that cruel men believe in a cruel God he added, “Only kindly men believe in a kindly God, and they would be kindly in any case.”

But I don’t think this is true. It is often hard to be good, and any extra encouragement is welcome. That’s equally true for the Godless. Ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius suggested that each of us focus on the concrete sensation we have when we do something good –no matter how small – and pay attention to that physical feeling so we can nurture that side of us.

I recently spoke at the launch of the Global Peace Index 2025 (GPI), which keeps count of countries in conflict. Currently there are 78 countries engaged in conflict beyond their borders. Its data offers no evidence that religion leads to war – or that religion is the only ideology used to justify violence. There are many causes of conflict, and religion can be used to disguise more mundane drivers like interests and political advantage.

By contrast the determinants of peace are well-defined. Countries that invest in things like acceptance of the rights of others, equitable distribution of resources and good relations with neighbours reap the benefit in more peaceful and prosperous societies, whatever religion they may profess.

At the GPI launch, I found myself reminding the good people there – both secular and religious – that what they are doing makes a difference. We need to keep being kindly, even when we see cruelty all around.

Where I live in Australia, in the northern New South Wales town of Armidale, there is a local Peace and Justice Festival. The University of New England has taught Peace Studies for more than 40 years. And for some it’s not just theoretical. Armidale is home to a community of Ydazidis who only narrowly escaped annihilation by ISIS on religious grounds.

The festival organisers decided that the antidote to the violence in the world is fellowship and action, with events including a poetry night, an art exhibition and tree planting. Maybe being kindly doesn’t need a religion – but it requires a community.

If I was to choose the group I feel closest to, it would be the humanists – religious and non-religious – who are so often battling for the human rights of others.

Is it worse when religion is used to justify violence? Clearly, it is a matter of great distress for those who believe this is a kind of desecration of religious beliefs. If the cruel justify their actions through religion, this does not make someone who shares that religion complicit.

If people choose the beliefs that suit their passions, my passion is moderation. Religion can be a force for good – helping us to focus on something beyond ourselves, connect with others and find meaning. But anything taken to an extreme is dangerous.

What keeps us safe is upholding multicultural, liberal, egalitarian societies – and not conflating the zealotry of cruel men with any one religion or practice.

So, when specific governments turn warlike, please don’t blame Buddhism … or any other religion.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Vision of Humanity.