ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the links between Islam and violence, then it focuses the militancy of Moluccan Christianity and how Christians in this area perceive, imagine, and understand the violence. Whereas Maluku's Muslims regarded the mass violence as a Perang Sabil, the Christians saw it as Perang Salib. Biblical quotations referring to Israelites who entered the Land of Canaan, and were ordered by God to drive out Amalekboth people and animals were used by some pastors and church leaders to justify the obligation of war against Muslims. The Christian militia groups in Kudamati were also supported by local churches, and jemaat and klasis of Ambon city. The description, analysis, and survey data sketched above suggest that, for Christian militants, religion did matter during the conflict. Christian fighters and radical elite members of the church considered the sectarian conflict to be a sacred war rewarded by entry into paradise for those who joined the battle.
