Conflict Causes & Solutions

Western society remains as divided and alienated as ever in human history. Differing worldviews have fragmented us, separating people from one another more than ever before, especially in the 21st century. What are the primary causes of this conflict and fragmentation?

One significant cause is the public education system, which, among other inaccuracies, teaches that Europe, beginning with the Reformation, was polarized between Catholics and Protestants. Later, Anglicans and Puritans in England engaged in bitter conflicts over religious beliefs. The narrative suggests these wars were ultimately resolved, but the truth is far more complex. After extensive fighting, Christianity did not solve the underlying issues; rather, compromises were made, and a truce was declared. They "sugar-coated" their differences, adopting political and economic solutions instead of addressing the root causes.

This truce ushered in the modern age of science and secularism. Once people accepted that a heretic could be a good citizen, or an infidel could be a valuable businessperson, they began to treat secular ground as the realm of "practical action." Religion was relegated to the "private world," of personal faith, or individual judgments. As a result, religion was buried deeper within society, and the concept of the "Separation of Church and State" became the dominant solution. Today, invoking God in public often leads to lawsuits in schools and public institutions.

However, if religion is now considered private and negligible, why does post-Christian society remain so seriously divided? As Rodney King famously asked during the 1991 Los Angeles riots, "Can't we all just get along?" Decades later, the answer seems to be a resounding "No." We remain divided—this time over moral values.

While religious divisions may no longer dominate our secular life and politics, we wrongly assume the problem is resolved. However, religious faith is far from the only belief system that shapes a person’s worldview. Political, social, and professional beliefs also play a role in our lives. Some beliefs may seem trivial, but they can still be deeply meaningful and lead to conflict. When people or institutions misperceive "real truths," it compels action, often enforced by governments, courts, and public schools.

Therefore, significant differences in beliefs will always divide us. Christianity and Islam, for example, are fundamentally different, and such distinctions should not be "sugar-coated" by religious leaders. On a smaller scale, two executives may argue over marketing strategies, friends may disagree about sports teams, or spouses might debate over kitchen décor. Insisting on one belief over another can damage relationships, and in extreme cases, lead to violence.

Conflict over different doctrines, politics, and moral values is inevitable—it's a recurring theme in human history. Yet, we can overcome these conflicts by recognizing and accepting that "differences exist." This willingness opens the door to new solutions. Executives can move past their disputes by collaborating on future tasks. Friends who "agree to disagree" can maintain harmony, and spouses can overlook trivial disagreements for the sake of their deeper bond.

Today, society remains polarized over politics, culture, religion, and moral values. Finding common ground is essential for creating a more stable union. Religion, despite its portrayal as a public toxin, should not be vilified. Humans have always held beliefs worth fighting for, whether to preserve the Union, protect democracy, or defend personal honor. Religion is not the sole cause of conflict; ignorance is the true problem.

Religious beliefs, unlike political beliefs, continue to carry a public stigma as a source of conflict. This is partly because society has long believed the fallacy that faith is private and irrelevant to daily life, while politics is immediate and practical. In a materialistic society, secular beliefs are regarded as meaningful, and religious beliefs are sidelined. This mindset dehumanizes individuals by silencing their religious impulses. Religion is inherent to humanity, providing a way for individuals to connect with their Creator through conscience, soul, and reason. We are "hardwired" for faith, and religion illuminates how we must build our relationship with God.

Because this relationship with God is central to who we are, it naturally overflows into public life. As historian Christopher Dawson noted, "Religion is the dynamic element in all cultures." It motivates a people's actions, influencing morality, laws, architecture, art, music, philosophy, and literature. “The temples of the gods are the most enduring works of man.”

When God’s rightful place in society is denied, we fall short of our potential. Modernity has succeeded in this dehumanizing process. Psychology and technology have dulled our inner awareness of the Creator, and scientific materialism has eroded belief in a higher power.

Conflict over religion, is part of human life—just as conflict over any other deeply held beliefs. Truth exists, and our imperfect grasp of it leads to disagreements, arguments, and divisions. While religious conflicts once caused wars, other beliefs have since caused similar polarization. Religion is not the root problem—ignorance is.

Some may argue that by privatizing religion, society has removed one cause of conflict. On the other hand, without religion, we lose the most effective antidote to polarization, division, and global conflict: God’s divine grace.

Restoring Education

To mitigate these conflicts, we must restore education to its proper place in society. Today's public education system emphasizes "outcomes" rather than proven academic merit. It devalues proficiency in essential subjects like math, science, reading, and writing, and no longer treasures academic achievement. Instead, it focuses on superficial "good outcomes."

There are two potential solutions to this crisis in public education:

1.   Demand for Tax Credits: Parents should demand tax credits to send their children to private schools, which are often free from government and public school system abuses.

2.   Homeschooling: Parents can opt to homeschool their children, shielding them from government influence. There are many success stories of students who were homeschooled using high-quality curricula, such as Seton Press. These students often graduate with top marks, are accepted into leading universities, and excel in multiple languages. More importantly, they develop critical thinking skills, strong moral values, and become productive members of society.

In conclusion, public education reform is critical for addressing the root causes of conflict in society. Ignorance is the enemy, and an informed, critically thinking populace is the solution. As educator Thomas Sowell emphasized in his works "Critical Thinking," "Knowledge and Decisions," and "Common Sense," we must prioritize real education over superficial outcomes. Only then can we begin to heal the divisions in society.