Can knowledge of the causes of violence create peace, or is religion needed?

Knowledge alone is not enough, because in no age has man mastered himself. Violence takes root in the hidden depths of the heart, and no human law can reach that place. Only God can.

In every age people have looked down on earlier generations. They believed those before them had not advanced far enough to master themselves and nature, and they hoped that they themselves would succeed. This attitude has stayed the same throughout history, because human nature does not change. In truth man has never mastered himself. He is mastered by his ego.

Take away religion as a force that disciplines human conduct, and man becomes entirely a servant of his ego. The ego then decides how he deals with other people and other nations. This is true of many who call themselves religious as well. Where faith has become only a name, they too are really serving their own ego.

The deeper problem lies in the heart. Every crime begins as an intention hidden away, where a person feels safe from every eye. No law can reach that place. Courts can only guess at intentions. That is why someone is sometimes credited with an intention they never had, while many who plan harm remain undetected until they act.

Who can reach the heart? If there is a God, then He can. The first verse above says that He knows our innermost thoughts. Whoever believes this knows that they will be accountable even for what is hidden. Without that belief, responsibility loses its deepest foundation. The further a society moves away from God, the more cover it gives to hidden evil intentions.

Knowledge of the causes of violence is valuable. But peace only comes when hearts change, as the second verse above says. And true love between people is, as the third verse shows, a gift from God.