Synopsis: This book brings together a variety of perspectives on
how religion can be related to violence and war--both in a
destructive and constructive way. Religion can justify and mobilize
violence--even terrorism or guerilla wars--just like political
ideology. But how is such a link between religion and violent
behavior established in the first place? How can we go further in
understanding this possible connection between religion and war? Is
religious peace work just the flip side of religious support of
war? Or can peace work be informed by knowing about how religion
promotes violence and war? In the search for answers to the puzzle
of religion and war, it is easy to focus on conflict and war
situations, but maybe there is as much to learn from peace work as
from war studies? Therefore, this book also analyses religious
peace work from different contexts. The multifaceted presence of
religion in conflict situations--whether justifying violence or
promoting peace--is illustrated in this book using a variety of
situations, in an enlightening panorama of one of today's must
puzzling social connections: religion and armed conflict.
Contributors include: R. Scott Appleby, Goran Gunner, Mariyahl
Hoole, Mark Juergensmeyer, Anne Kubai, Kjell-Ake Nordquist, Jehan
Perera, Jennifer Schirmer, Nari Senanayake, and Maria Smaberg.
Endorsements: "Is religion used or is religion using violence and
war? Is religion seeking peace or is it manipulated by those who
have particular political agendas? The cases presented are varied
and contribute enormously to our shared understanding of how
religion is playing both the role of promoting and restraining
violence, conflict, and conflict resolution. . . . This book is
precious. It is rich, well crafted, and stimulating. It is an
invitation for further conversation on the religious choice between
war and peace." --Andrea Bartoli, Dean, School for Conflict
Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University "Gods and Arms is
a timely book dedicated to one of the most burning issues of the
day. It brings together thematic essays by some of the leading
international authorities in the field and concrete case studies
full of insight into the varied roles of organized religion and
religious identities. . . . We learn, for example, about the
relevance of liberation theology in the Colombian guerilla wars,
the religious rationalization and interpretation of atrocities in
Rwanda during the genocide, and the conflicting ambitions of the
Anglican church in Palestine during the British mandate." --Anders
Mellbourn, Chair of the Department of Media Studies, Stockholm
University "In Gods and Arms, internationally respected researchers
approach the urgent problem of religion and conflict. This is done
in intellectual and empirical analyses of concepts such as
fundamentalism and terrorism. In addition, the book presents
examples by relating well-known contemporary experiences of
religiously ingrained war, genocide, and terrorism in Rwanda,
Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Palestine. . . . Gods and Arms provides a
much-needed, stimulating, and innovative study that deepens our
insight into the complex relationship between religion, conflict,
and peace." --Peter Wallensteen, Professor of Peace Research,
Uppsala University and the University of Notre Dame Author
Biography: Kjell-Ake Nordquist is Visiting Professor at Stockholm
School of Theology and Associate Professor in the Department of
Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University.
General
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