Vengeance in scriptures

Consider these three quotes, each regarded as the word of God within their respective religious traditions:

"inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the scriptures. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction."

“And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and oppression is worse than killing.” 

“Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

Image by macrovector on Freepik.

Before you scroll down to identify the sources (think spoiler), consider what they collectively mean and imply. 

What Do I Think

When it comes to understanding sacred texts, I find myself navigating between three perspectives. First, that these texts are not exactly what God revealed but rather what men (intentionally gender-specific here, since religious scholars and leaders have historically been male) have altered over time to serve their own interests. Second, that the revelations were meant for a specific time, place, and context, a very long time ago—making them difficult, if not impossible, to apply universally today. And third, that the words of God are sacred, eternal, and applicable to all contexts, regardless of time or circumstance.

For me, the choice is straightforward. I discard the third option because, across all religious traditions, God is generally portrayed as kind, compassionate, and forgiving. A rigid, one-size-fits-all application of divine law would contradict that mercy. After all, God says, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256).

The first perspective—that religious texts have been entirely shaped by human hands—seems logical, but it raises a serious dilemma: If we accept that the core scriptures of a faith have been fundamentally altered, then what remains of that faith? Doubt is necessary for belief; as Lesley Hazleton argues in The Belief Instinct, true faith and doubt are not opposites but deeply intertwined. See her TED Talk on this topic. Faith without doubt is blind dogma. However, outright rejecting the divine origin of scripture moves beyond doubt and into disbelief, which is why I don’t land in this camp either.

That leaves me with the second perspective: some verses are bound to their historical context and must be understood through that lens. Not all divine commands are timeless, and their interpretation must evolve across time and even geography. But this brings its own challenge—who gets to interpret? The reality is that religious interpretation requires both knowledge and authority. Without a trusted interpreter, faith risks becoming either stagnant or dangerously misapplied.

The quotes are respectively from the New Testament, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Qur’an Surah 2:191; and Old Testament, 1 Samuel 15:2-3.

Why Should You Care

As social media and technology bring the world closer together, they are simultaneously driving us further apart. Religion has long been used as a dividing line—think of the Crusades, the Mongol conquests, or Nazi Germany—and it will continue to be exploited to separate “us” from “them.” But you don’t have to accept this division. You can push back against those who (mis)interpret scripture or manipulate it for personal gain.

I welcome the chance to challenge these narratives. When proselytizers knock on my door, I engage—not to convert, but to educate. Those willing to listen often walk away with a deeper understanding of Islam and a greater appreciation for the common threads that run through the Abrahamic faiths. The more we foster informed conversations, the less power extremists have to weaponize beliefs against us.