Violence and the Sacred

"Violence and the Sacred," by René Girard, explores how societies use religious rituals and beliefs to manage violence. Girard suggests that human desire leads to rivalry and conflict, which can escalate into violence. Religious rituals serve to channel and contain this violence, transforming it into a shared sacred experience that unites communities. By doing so, society reduces chaos and maintains social order. In essence, Girard shows how religion functions as a social mechanism to control human impulses toward violence through shared sacred symbols and practices.