Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.34075/cs.61.1.4
The Cross as a Solution to Conflict in René Girard's Mimetic Theory
Marinko Vidović
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska
Silvija Giovanna Bralo Perković
; Split, Hrvatska
Sažetak
In this paper, we deal with the understanding and interpretation of Girard's mimetic theory, which, based on profane literary and biblical texts, interprets mimetic violence as a source of religious and cultural constraints or a channelling of violence at the social level. Mimetic behaviour, together with the mechanism of the scapegoat in mythological interpretation, channels violence toward a false and temporary peace, while actually supporting and perpetuating it in a ritual and sacrificial form. Only biblical anthropology, particularly that of the New Testament, has demystified and exposed the mythical sacrificial logic, removing the image of God as a violent and bloodthirsty deity who needs to be appeased with blood. In the Gospel accounts of Jesus' death on the cross, Girard sees the ultimate abolition of the sacrificial mechanism and logic because reality is observed from the perspective of the innocence of the victim, rather than from the perspective of the persecutors who, by making the victim a victim, attempt to establish social peace but in fact only perpetuate mimetic violence and lead society to ruin. Christ is only externally viewed as a victim, but in reality, it is about his surrender to the Father out of love, which is the only proper way to end violence. We divided the work into three sections, first explaining the mimetic theory and the mechanism of the scapegoat, then Christ's cross as a break against violence, and finally we considered some critiques and objections to Girard's theory.
Ključne riječi
cross; demystification; desire; mimetic; myth; scapegoat; surrender; victim; violence
Hrčak ID:
347349
URI
Datum izdavanja:
25.5.2026.
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