How ‘unity’ can sacrifice justice

In August 2008, the prime minister of Japan broke with tradition by refusing to visit the controversial Yasukuni shrine, which honours two-and-a-half million Japanese war dead. Some of those commemorated had been found guilty of war crimes during the Second World War....

Common sense, mercy and sacrifice

Much religion is dripping in sacrificial language. The appeasement of the gods is a common theme in many traditions. What happens in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures is, say Rene Girard and others, quite surprising. Love that does justice becomes the core of a new...

Putting an end to scapegoating

Somewhere in the Middle East, Jesus Christ is strapped to a bench, his head wrapped in clingfilm. He furiously sucks against the plastic. A hole is pierced, but only so that a filthy rag can be stuffed back into his mouth. He is turned upside down and water slowly...