Final answer:
Religion and warfare have historically been intertwined, with ancient governments often justifying war through religious narratives. Modern secular states tend to separate the two, though the ideological remnants of holy wars persist in political rhetoric. Both forces have shaped governance through history, whether through direct influence or as a comfort and guiding principle for communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The complex interplay between religion and warfare in shaping both ancient and modern governments is significant. In the annals of history, countless societies have justified wars in the name of divine will or religious mandates. For instance, the Book of Joshua from the Bible depicts warfare as an act carried out with divine support.
In the modern context, as societies industrialized and nation-states rose to prominence, the explicit connection between warfare and religion has diminished in the Western world. Nevertheless, the notion of a holy war has continued to impact modern political discourse, especially post the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
While the devastating consequences of warfare are self-evident, religion has often fulfilled a dual role, serving both as a source of discord and as a pillar of comfort and moral guidance. Significant historical periods, such as the Crusades, epitomize the concept of a holy war, demonstrating the enduring power of religion in influencing warfare and government policy.
Conversely, the ideals of a just war, as opposed to holy war, were echoed in Christian theological thought long before the Crusading period, proffering a framework for morally sanctioned violence.