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• Faculty Profiles

hector avalos

professor
religious studies

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The origins of religious violence.

Hector Avalos has a new theory on the role of religion in violence. In his book, Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious Violence, Hector says that scarce resources are behind religious conflicts. "In almost every conflict in the world there is at least a perceived scarcity of some resource. Power, love, material goods - these are all items that someone holds precious. And behind every conflict is someone who perceives that they aren't getting their fair share."

Hector says most religious violence is the result of real or perceived scarce resources and the historically important city of Jerusalem is a prime example. The city is important to Judaism, Christianity and Islam and conflicts have consistently erupted there. "Religions should look into themselves and ask ‘why can't others share the same space as I do?' or ‘what is it about our belief systems that we can't accept others' beliefs?"