Conflict - born out of a difference of beliefs and expectations

Conflict - born out of a difference of beliefs and expectations

Conflict occurs due to a clash of beliefs or expectations.

What propels us to engage in conflict and what motivates us to take a stand?
The reality is that conflict is written into human nature. We, are the only species known to kill over matters that are not instinctual. We are the only species known to murder. A major contributing factor to this is that we are able to hold personal beliefs and the subsequent expectations that come with them. Furthermore each and every individual is entitled to hold their own beliefs, and this provides room for a difference of or clashing with, beliefs held by someone else. Clashes of religious, ideological, social and racial beliefs are but some examples of this. Examples which various historical events and writers have shown to ultimately lead to conflict. It must be noted however, that at times, this conflict is needed to bring about instances of positive change. Thus whilst many conflicts may occur because of a clash of beliefs or expectations, sometimes these are needed to incite moments of change.
The religious beliefs of an individual often come with subsequent expectations and when these are challenged conflict often ensues. Throughout history many religious wars have been wrought. From the Christian led Crusades in 11th century Jerusalem to the Pakistani-Indian, Hindu-Islamist wars in early 20th Century India, it can be seen that often religion can be a driving factor for conflict. More recently, an extremist Islamic rebel group in Nigeria, the Boko Haram have been fighting a religious and ideologically driven war within Nigeria. Disgusted at the introduction of ‘western ways’ in Nigeria and the falsehood of ‘western education’ they wage a terrorist war: killing innocents, attacking schools and even actively practising kidnapping. With zealous fervour driven by expectations derived from their religious views, they endeavour to instil an ‘ethnic cleansing’ of the atrocities presented by the conflicting west....

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