Religion can play a dual role with regard to conflict. It can promote either violence or peace. Religion and Conflict Attribution seeks to clarify the causes of religious conflict as perceived by Christian, Muslim and Hindu college students in Tamil Nadu, India. These students in varying degrees attribute conflict to force-driven causes, namely to coercive power as a means of achieving the economic, political or socio-cultural goals of religious groups. The study reveals how force-driven religious conflict is influenced by prescriptive beliefs like religious practice and mystical experience, and descriptive beliefs such as the interpretation of religious plurality and religiocentrism. It also elaborates on the practical consequences of the salient findings for the educational process.

Much of the confusion is caused by the Chinese government, which deceives journalists and foreign missionaries with promises of religious freedom that are never kept.

The truth is, the house churches of China are growing at a phenomenal rate. Never in the history of the world have so many people in such a short time left one belief system for another without a hostile revolution. Lives in China are being transformed daily by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the display of His miraculous power.

The Underground Church demystifies the Chinese house church movement, with real-life examples and personal testimonies from Chinese Christians. The movement's unique characteristics both good and bad are addressed, as well as how they have led to the church's astonishing growth.

Be amazed at what God is doing in China

This novel is historical fiction. It's setting is the Spanish Inquisition and Spain's reconquest from the Arabs. Described are Spain's monarchs efforts to create a country of pure blood and one faith (Catholicism). To this end non Christians were expelled and their wealth retained. Spain became an elitist society, self-segregated and closed minded religion. Casiano, a Christian knight and Perla, a Converso Jewess are fictional. They are subjected to the cruelties of self-serving Church and Kings. Perla is arrested for heresy but is rescued from the stake by Casiano. They escape to live in freedom, away from Church and Crown.

The report states that Government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shia religious groups, most notably for Bahais, as well as for Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, Jews, and Shia groups not sharing the government's official religious views. Bahai and Christian groups reported arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and confiscation of property. Government-controlled broadcast and print media continued negative campaigns against religious minorities, particularly Bahais. All religious minorities suffered varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing. Bahais continued to experience expulsions from, or denial of admission to, universities.

Two American families in the not-so-distant future decide to flee their homeland in the wake of new laws that limited their religious freedoms. It seemed that this religious intolerance as well as the moral decay of their society had made them apprehensive about the future of their families and their country and, so, the adventure started. It led them and a number of others who joined them on a dangerous journey filled with challenges and danger to a new land far from their native shores. It is an adventure that you will not soon forget. This book is in the apocalyptic spirit of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkin's "Left Behind" series with the edginess of William P. Young's "The Shack.

Anthony Wane Antolic was born on October 6th, 1973. His parents were, Jerald and Ardith Antolic. Jerald or Jerry to his friends was a Staff Sargent in the United States Army. As a result of Jerry's military cheer, Anthony was shipped off to several schools a year, which exposed Tony to a love for human cultures. Although he was born Catholic, Anthony's family went to whatever church was available at the time. It was his exposure to such a wide range of other Christian Demonstrations that helped Tony realizes that, "any honest search for truth will ultimately lead to the source of all truth {God}" (Saint Augustine). But a brief time studying at Mount Angel Catholic Seminary ha ad Tony asking even more questions about what the rule of human religion is in human culture. When realizing that Aristotle was correct in saying, "Man by nature is a political animal;" Mr. Antolic began to question, "how much of religion is political and what is its purpose in the cultural infrastructure?" In 1988, only six months after Anthony's Grandfather died, the then 15 year old boy got a chance to see firsthand how religion plays into human culture, as well as how political religion truly is. Anthony Antolic used an assumed name and enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. The Legion sent him to Iraq where he saw firsthand how destructive human arrogance coupled with the assumed righteousness of a religious cause could become. However, Mr. Antolic did not need much to convince him of the destructive nature of Zealot. "My family is deeply involved with the Irish Republican Army, I grew up hearing the hate filled remarks of my family towards those who practiced the Protestant faith, so when I decided to study for the Priesthood, I promised myself that I would work to find common ground to use and break down the walls caused by schism between Christian believers." Since then, Tony has dedicated his life to building unity in faith, between all faith traditions by showing people the roots of their own faith and the similarities between others.

Margaret Murray was an anthropologist who upset the comfortable consensus of her day with the idea that Western Europe did not convert 'en masse' to Christianity. Using contemporary accounts she was able to show that, while European rulers and nobles were successfully targeted by Christian missionaries, the majority of the population held tenaciously to the Old Religion. These far older beliefs centred upon the worship of Cernunnos, the figure of a male, horned god. The result was centuries of conflict between Christianity and 'Paganism' in which the adherents of the Cross gradually gained the ascendant. And following the general principle that 'the God of the old religion becomes the Devil of the new', the Christian 'Evil One' was given the characteristics of the pagan deity - horns and all. Those who stubbornly held to the Old Ways were seen as devil-worshippers, witches, followers of the left-hand path who fully deserved the stake and death by purging fire. Margaret Murray gives a convincing account of this God of the witches, and shows how many famous characters in European history - among them William Rufus, Joan of Arc and Thomas a Beckett - must be counted as members of The Old Religion. A book for all those interested in the roots of Wicca and neo-paganism.

Reports from Western Europe raise the question whether it has become an increasingly hostile place for Christian religious practice or presence outside the four walls of a church - and whether governments are involved in or support the marginalization of Christians. Most prominent was the 2004 case in which the European Union openly denied Italian Minister for European Politics Rocco Buttiglione a position as European Commissioner due to his adherence to Catholic moral teaching. Reports also indicate that the marginalization of Christians occurs through subtle changes in law and policy that drive Christian expression off the public square or signal that Christians are not welcome on the square. In recent months four British Christians filed petitions with the European Court of Human Rights after they were denied reasonable religious accommodation in the workplace first by their respective employers, and then by the UK courts. This briefing will examine reports of the Western European movement toward state-sanctioned marginalization of Christians. It will further analyze the origins, methods, and implications of such a movement and its relation to religious freedom rights as they are protected in major international human rights agreements. This report includes responses by: Roger Kiska, Legal Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom (Vienna, Austria) Professor Tom Farr, Director of the Religious Freedom Project Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University Dr. Roger Trigg, Academic Director, Kellogg Centre for the Study of Religion in Public Life, Oxford University and Associate Scholar, Religious Freedom Project, Georgetown University

The playground at Saint Thomas Moore School in Houston has become a terrifying place. When Sister Agnes hears young Will's fiery funeral sermon for a dead bird, she must comfort a group of fearful students. At the forceful insistence of his teachers, Will Powers reluctantly stops his explosive sermon. Will's teacher thinks that his parents, and particularly his father, seem very troubled. The parents won't return Sister Agnes's phone calls about similar events involving Will. School psychologist Sister Andrea Albright turns for help to a trusted psychiatrist friend, Dr. Tom Tolman. The ensuing therapy is seen from Will's perspective and the "helpful" adults around him. Those who would aid the boy instead reveal perspectives on psychotherapy's ability to thwart the evil of malignant self-absorption. And along the path of Will's therapy, Sister Andrea and her friend Tom find genuine love and romance. A Boyish God is a troubling novel with deep insights. Says the author, "I was jolted to my core when I learned that a college friend's son died at the Rev. Jim Jones's side at Jonestown. Two books and over thirty years later, I am still searching for answers...especially about terror prevention. " Peter Alan Olsson is a retired psychiatrist/psychoanalyst. His four published nonfiction books are Malignant Pied Pipers of Our Time: From the Rev. Jim Jones to Osama Bin Laden; The Cult of Osama: Psychoanalyzing Bin Laden and His Magnetism for Muslim Youths; If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Advice to a Young Psychotherapist; and Poems Behind a Psychiatrist's Couch. Visit www.drpeterolsson.com. Publisher's website: http://sbpra.com/PeterAlanOlsson

Redemption Alley follows the lives of three people with differing spiritual destinies Cleophas Jedidiah Pettibone aka C.J. was born into a family of preachers. C.J. had a great adviser and guide into becoming a preacher in his father, Rev. Jasper Pettibone. He became a successful pastor of his own church. After realizing some of the carnal side of the profession and bad choices, the crumbling of his marriage and the abandonment of his family, he found himself in need of redemption. Tamara Baker, found a love for doing hair and brought to fruition a successful business with the help of her loving mother. She witnessed the shortcomings of preachers in her life; decided in her words that she could not "do church." Her mother's relationship failures and consequent addiction caused their once close bond to deteriorate. Tamara found she was in need of redemption. Byron "Butta" McClendon was a young man who grabbed life and lived on a sports pedestal. When the stadium lights were turned off and the real world were staring in his face. Butta decided to get involved with the seedy and illegal business venture with his friends. Meeting his deadbeat father and facing life threatening events, "Butta" found he was in need of redemption. The lives of these three intertwined then descended into places that made it difficult to realize their destination. You will follow then into the depths of destruction and arrive with them to claim their victories. This happens because there is a "Redemption Alley"

David J. Harvey presents his personal and sometimes controversial treatment of homosexuality throughout the Scriptures. This book was born from years of research, study and teaching on the topic of Homosexuality, and what the Bible really says about it. Straight people will gain a fresh understanding of the journey that many gay Christians encounter, and gay and lesbians Christians will find a companion who identifies with their hurt and rejection from the mainline churches across the country. While there is much confusion in the Christian world as to what the Bible says about homosexuality, there is great clarity about how Jesus instructed His followers to walk in love. Hopefully, you will find renewed acceptance in your faith and a reason to celebrate your sexuality as you read how you are created; to be the gay or straight child of God. You too can find that Wondrous Love

Wrestling In Deep Waters is a book for all people. This book depicts the history of religious tolerance and growth. In the exploration of which we are as people, this book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, dramatizes the struggle we-as humans-have had. Even now many are having to struggle in the continued progress of living. This book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, is a book of encouragement. God in this book wants us to hold on to the power he has given us. God wants us to see that it is his power that helps us with our wrestles in these "old deep waters." This Book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, is a great book for those of us that are "saved" embracing the benefits of God's saving grace. And, finally, Wrestling In Deep Waters as a great book wants to help the "unsaved" to know salvation; whereas, they can decide for themselves if they want to be "saved," resting in the loving arms of a gentle Savior.

A book written to promote thought in God. There are many who would say that their religion is correct. while simply ignoring the violence of the past. Why can they simply state that they are right based on one book. More Over how can they make god so small. These are my travels through faith. This is my memoirs and how I dealt with my faith in God over that of religion. For those who would just read the superficial they will only get a very small view of what tis actually being stated in this book. In the broadest sense of this book I am promoting women's civil rights. For the greatest offenders in the world of women's rights are religious based. There will be those who want to state that this is an Atheist book. It is not plain and simple.

Historically, the Roman Catholic Church had not recognized the religious freedom of other religious groups. During Vatican II (1962-1965), the Church reformed its historic stance on religious freedom through the Document, Dignitatis Humanae ("Of Human Dignity"). Since then, much debate regarding the meaning of Dignitatis Humanae has ensued, both within the Church and among non-Catholics. This work contributes to the ongoing debate, offering contemporary insights that provide a different perspective than is commonly understood. Relying primarily upon Catholic sources, the author investigates the historical, philosophical, theological, and political factors that contribute to the formulation of Dignitatis Humanae, which also explain the different ways that the Document is applied in Spain, Mexico, and the United States. This work demonstrates how Catholic hegemony is a factor that influences the application of Dignitatis Humanae.

One religion will never bring world peace or feed the children or care for the sick and dying. One group cannot eliminate poverty, violence, drugs, human trafficking or complete global spiritual change. A priority agenda must be to make people moral citizens of the world before they can become mystical citizens of heaven. Synergetic cooperation is not to suggest a least common denominator religion or that Judaism, Islam or Christianity should lose their culture or compromise their sacred reality. Culture and tradition are social glue that holds religions together. Yet, compromise (a "together-promise" agreement) is a necessary part of a common agenda for progress. Where organized groups choose not to function, personal action can make a difference and break down some of the barriers to an action agenda that could strengthen the monotheistic message. Remember, the goal for a global outreach is not domination or control, but emancipation from poverty and violence, and liberty to choose a personal and eternal destiny at the hands of Providence. For this to happen, the walls to personal faith and action must be removed.

There exists in the world today a nearly universal presumption that the Holy Bible is a "good" book. This presumption is reinforced all around us. Bible versus are etched into the walls of our national monuments. Churches operate tax exempt. Even the President of the United States takes his oath of office with one hand planted firmly on a copy of the Bible. But this presumption is false, argues Michael Scott Earl. In his book, Bible Stories Your Parents Never Taught You, Mr. Earl makes his case by exposing us to story after story of looting, murder, genocide, torture, slavery -- moral atrocities that have largely failed to register in the public mind. Earl argues that an awareness of these atrocities is important because it enables us to see the Bible as a motivating force behind many of history's most violent and brutal episodes. Bible Stories Your Parents Never Taught You is a 'shock and awe' campaign against the presumed moral irreproachability of the Holy Bible. It is a much needed dose of moral clarity in an age of religious confusion and godly violence.

Examines religious intolerance in Pakistan primarily against Hindus and Christians.