Mimetic desire—the urge to covet what others have—fuels violence across Africa, from Rwanda’s genocide to Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ laws. René Girard’s theory reveals how peace built on scapegoating, such as targeting the LGBTQ community, is inherently violent (Girard, 2001). In African spirituality, all are equal under the sun (Mbiti, 1990), yet colonial legacies entrenched division, making minorities scapegoats for societal tensions (Katongole, 2011).
Crossing Lines Africa’s SLGBTQIV intervention—Journey to Healing and Transforming Stereotypes—counters this by fostering inclusive dialogue. The biblical narrative of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8) illustrates how mimetic desire escalates conflict, but Jesus’s call to love enemies (Matthew 5:44) offers a way out. Desmond Tutu’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission modeled this, uniting former enemies for healing (Tutu, 1999). By recognizing shared humanity, we interrupt scapegoating and build Shalom.
Call to Action: Join the SLGBTQIV initiative to transform stereotypes and heal communities. Engage in conflict transformation trainings to break cycles of violence.
For more on mimetic violence and scapegoating, you can read Rene Girard’s seminal book I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning. Click here to order.
You can also read more at the website for the International Association for Scholars of Mimetic Theory: Click here.
Girard, R. (2001). I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning. Orbis Books.
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Genesis 4:8, Matthew 5:44.
Katongole, E. (2011). The Sacrifice of Africa: A Political Theology for Africa. Eerdmans.
Mbiti, J. S. (1990). African Religions and Philosophy. Heinemann.
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