Introduction
Conflict is often unavoidable both within a state and between two or more countries. There are many reasons why disputes arise in society, from poor communication and misunderstandings between different social groups to political and economic power struggles. Religion and ethnicity can become sources of internal conflict if the two or more religious or ethnic groups cannot agree on an issue. Today, many communities within states still clash because of their faith or race.
Main body
Religion can become a source of internal conflict as spiritual beliefs often provoke disputes between various devout groups. Many belief systems have strict articles and doctrines that should be followed by their community members. These rules can contribute to those members being intolerant and discriminatory to other faiths with different convictions. Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are great examples of countries with identity-based conflicts. The disagreements between Catholics and Protestants in the two territories were significant and led to open fighting within these countries.
Race and ethnicity can also lead to internal conflict in a country. It can begin if different ethnicities compete for a similar objective, such as a better position in society. If one race or ethnicity has more political and economic power than another, the disparity can also lead to violent clashes. A prime example of this is the recent riots in the United States as members of the African American community began to protest police brutality, leading to numerous riots in different states. These protests are also fueled by the activists’ belief in their disadvantaged position in the broader society and the desire to improve it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, race and religion can easily lead to internal conflict in a country. Disagreements between religious groups can stem from the differences in their belief systems and their inability to accept those disparities. Meanwhile, various ethnic factions often instigate disputes if they do not have the same position in society as other, more privileged groups. Overall, faith and race are still common sources of friction in many countries.