Barriers to Peace and Justice in
Northern Ireland

Origins of Sectarianism

The historical roots of sectarianism can be found in the Reformation of the 1500s and 1600s. There, we find a combination of three doctrines: one true church, outside of which there is no salvation; error has no right; and providence.

The doctrine of one true church can be expressed as follows: "Our church is the only true church. If you're outside it, your chances of salvation are much diminished, at best."

The doctrine that error has no right is less well known. This doctrine was developed by St. Augustine to justify the use of state coercion to suppress his heretical opponents. Because they were radically in error, he said, they had no right to express or hold their beliefs. Ever since, the doctrine has been put to use as the principle behind every kind of coercion--especially state coercion--for religious purposes. error has no right is the doctrine behind inquisitions, forced conversions, and similarly ugly strains on Christian history.

By providence we mean the basic teaching that God is at work in the world. Beyond that, we mean the belief that a faithful Christian observer of the world can discern God's will and purpose by reading the signs of the times in human events and the natural world.

The origin of sectarianism lies in two combinations of these three doctrines. The first combination joins one true church with error has no right. The one true church doctrine is a truth claim. Like every truth claim, it automatically carries with it the danger of arrogance and imposition. But these are only dangers, not necessarily outcomes, since everything depends on how the truth claim is made. If it is made consciously and humbly, it doesn't have to impose on others. But for those who believe that error has no right, the chances are that their truth claim will be made disastrously. If they believe that their church is the one true church and that error has no right, then it is their duty to see that error is suppressed by whatever means necessary. Therefore, tolerance is no virtue--tolerance is a deadly vice.

Getting the Church Involved

Reconciliation, peace, and justice need a prophetic voice. Let me quote a Dutch Reformed Church professor from South Africa: "Reconciliation is no cheap matter. It does not come about by simply papering over deep-seated differences. Instead, reconciliation presupposes an operation--a cutting to the very bone, without anesthetic."

Some people have misused the Christian faith as nothing more than a way out. It's as if they have taken up residence on the roof, far away from the noise and dirt of the streets below. Such escapism is a real danger to Christians today. Video games, television, popular music, preoccupation with sports, and abuse of alcohol and drugs all attest to the pervasiveness of escapism in our culture. But God always thrusts us into reality and responsibility by faith. God wants to stretch us, to bring us to maturity.