Sacred Pillars of Violence: Findings from a Study of the Pakistani Taliban

Abstract

In what ways does religion matter as justification for violence? Based on a larger study of the Pakistani Taliban and their communication and recruitment materials, this article presents some of its main findings in a condensed form. It summarizes the lessons learned about the various roles religion plays in providing justification for taking up arms, namely: as an object to be defended; as a threat; as the purpose of armed struggle; as a (blurred) limit on war; and, finally, as imagery and myth. Although this article specifically looks at the case of the Pakistani Taliban and their religious justifications of violence, the findings might also find resonance in other cases of violent religious movements. The final sections of the article briefly discuss the potential implications of the findings for an overall understanding of the ‘nature’ of religious violence.