The role of religion plays a huge part in the 2011 revolutions in Arab countries. Religions practiced to the extreme without respect for other religion or non-religion is the driving force behind conflict. A comparison can be made with everyday conversation. Example: John has views about Catholic faith and Bob has views about Islamic faith. A conversation between the two about what religion best suits the world comes up. Lets say John is an extremist and decides to end the conversation with a scuffle with Bob. John’s approach to the situation ended violently because of lack of respect for other person’s belief.

The same analogy can be made about what is happening the with the role of religion. Different religions means barriers amongst countries and people but it only resorts to violence when there is a lack of respect for another views. When trying to force feed someone to convert to your religion, the result never ends in a positive way. What’s happening in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain is a result of force feeding “Dictatorship”. Perfect example is 9/11. The attacks on the U.S. was retaliation for the U.S involvement in the Middle East. Religion is way of life that extends beyond what rules and regulations are set by the government.

When a country invades and tries to change the religion by taking it away, one would be very unwise to think the invaded country is going sit back and watch. When you think you are invading one country you actually invading all countries which share the same beliefs, which lead to a war that will get out of hand. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain are setting the table of what is to come when similar nations acquire the strength to overthrow their leaders. What is happening in the Middle East is what I like to call the ” Rubber-band Effect”. Revolution is only a matter of time when you continue take “pull” from the people and not give anything back in return. The problem with revolution is not necessarily the act itself, but what is to come of the act. Countries with more power are going to try to step in and control the situation in a forceful way which will escalate the war.

There is no way to contain the situation without it ending violently. I don’t blame countries for standing up for what they believe in, but it is only a matter of time before change happens again. Eventually, if the change the people thought was going to make the situation better doesn’t happen we will witness another revolution. I don’t think more powerful countries will take the approach they are taking now, if the countries that are currently revolting, revolt again.

For as long as there are different religions throughout the world and lack of respect for other religions there will always be conflict. The best solution is to let change happen naturally. I think other countries will start following behind these six countries after realizing the results it can bring such as peace. If there is nothing to fight against such as “Dictatorship” that could potentially mean one world government and the results could be a good thing or bad thing.