신화와 종교 속에서의 폭력 - 르네 지라르와 조르주 아감벤의 이론을 중심으로 -

Abstract

In this paper, I will critically examine the problems of violence in Myths and Religion based on the scapegoat’s theory of René Girard. Myths are the products of human culture and are closely connected to religion. I think that to analyze the problems of violence in myths and religion is the core solution to the violence. And besides, to relate the violence with the Homo Sacer of Giorgio Agamben, I want to set the basis to construct a peaceful and healthy society that is no more scapegoat and naked human. Violence has the power to destroy our daily life and our community. The characteristics of violence are sometimes exposed easily, but sometimes hidden behind existing social structures. But when the violence occurs, it defeats human reason and rationality and it drives the community to a whirlpool of violence. Finally it causes the collapse of the community. So we must prevent and root out the violence absolutely through the help of private and public cooperation and the exercising of public power. Unlike in the past, the violence today is a barbarous social evil committed by radical terrorist groups like ISIS. Violence is deep-rooted in human culture. The culture elected on the basis of the violence and sustained on it. According to the scapegoat’s theory by René Girard, when the conflict of the community becomes serious and the crisis of the community reaches a climax, the community seeks for a victim to solve their problem. These scapegoating methods used to appear in ancient myths and rituals. The scapegoat and the Homo Sacer are the shadow dimensions of the partially violent society. So we must overcome the structural contradiction to expel them out by discrimination and exclusion. Besides, we are responsible for making our society peacefully coexist and be ruled by love and justice. Homo Sacer’s means naked life, socially worthless and defenseless beings exposed to violence. They are the poor objects not to be protected beyond the bounds of law and social care. Therefore to root out the innocent victims and the violence, we need to follow the way of reconciliation and peace that the Bible presents to us. Toward the injustice, Jesus responds with nonviolence and love and finally he transforms evil to good. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, the past violence and the reality of the evil were exposed and simultaneously the path of reconciliation and peace had opened to us eternally.