Violence. Just mentioning this word conjures up many images of assault, abuse, and even murder. Violence is a broad topic with many categories. Some types of violence are terrorist violence and domestic violence. Violence can come from many different sources; these sources, whether biological, cultural and social, can all suggest violent behavior. All cultures experience some form of violence, and this article considers violence as a cultural phenomenon in a range of different contexts. Violence plays a role in Islamic and Indian cultures, according to the articles "Understanding Islam" and "Rising Dowry Deaths" by Kenneth Jost and Amanda Hitchcock, respectively. From an anthropological perspective, violence emphasizes concerns of meaning, representation, and symbolism. Throughout history, violence and religion have always been linked, however, the way in which this violence is formed and the way in which it is used differs according to each religion and also according to each person's point of view. Even the most serene religions are capable of supporting violence since all religions incorporate a violent nature as well as devotion and belief. In “Understanding Islam,” Kenneth Jost asks the question: Is Islam a religion that promotes violence? His answer is no but he doesn't answer it directly. He brings up possible arguments from the opposing side and refutes them. It “An April 2006 CBS poll found that 46 percent of respondents believe Islam encourages violence more than other religions. A comparable poll four years earlier recorded a lower figure: 32 percent. These perceptions are sometimes fanned by American evangelical leaders... [Franklin] Graham has called Islam a "very evil and wicked religion" and [Jerry] Vines has called Muhammed, the founder and prophet of Islam, a “demon-pos..... . middle of paper ...... used to legitimize violence in its direct or structural form. Cultural violence is generally associated with an economically or socially unstable country, such as India for example. Dowry is an example of cultural violence. Even though India is prosperous, it also has its share of poverty. Indian families arrange their daughter's marriage to a wealthier family hoping it will move them out of the lower class, but this usually makes the bride's family even poorer. Poverty is generally one of the main causes of cultural violence. Works Cited • Amanda Hitchcock. 2001. “Rising number of dowry-related deaths in India.” Annual editions: Anthropologie 11/12, 34th edition. Elvio Angeloni. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. • Kenneth Jost. 2005. “Understanding Islam.” Annual editions: Anthropologie 11/12, 34th edition. Elvio Angeloni. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.