The subject of the relationship between religion and violence, although long discussed, tends to reify in two extreme positions. On the one hand, religion is understood as a possible articulator of the promotion of peace and harmony. At the other extreme, there is the quick association between religion and violence, as if the terms were virtually synonymous. In view of the overcome this framework, the present article seeks to explore Girard's contribution, showing how it is situated beyond this polarity. For him, on the one hand, violence is the soul and heart of religion. On the other hand, religion is about peace. In order to understanding this apparent ambiguity, the article explores the notions of mimetic desire and sacrificial victim. The article points out how mimetic desire leads to exacerbation of violence and conflict in Girard's thought. In order to solve this greater violence, there is the recourse to the sacrificial victim, whose function is to recreate social cohesion on other grounds. Therefore, violence intrinsic to religion serves as a means to reestablish social interaction. Thus, the article seeks to indicate to what extent Girard assumes the violence intrinsic to religion, while indicating how it can lead to peace. By articulating violence and peace in this way, one notices how he escapes positions that deny one or the other face of religion.
