ABSTRACT
Hinduism and Christianity have non-violent ideals, but there are traditions in both which legitimate violence in certain circumstances. For instance, the Mahabharata, while generally accepting of religious and philosophical pluralism, endorses violence for enforcing the social order. On the Christian side, the foundational theologian, Saint Augustine, legitimated violence in the cause of religious belief. His stated aim was saving people’s souls. One can see these considerations at play in the history of Hindu–Christian relations. On the one hand, there is a long history of peaceful coexistence. On the other hand, there is a history among Western Christian peoples of using violence to promote religious and political agendas, presumably for the good of the recipients of that violence. On the Hindu side, there is an ongoing history of violence against Christians, who can be perceived, sometimes accurately and sometimes inaccurately, as threats to established authorities, traditions, and caste hierarchies.
