Bridge Or Barrier: Religion, Violence and Visions for Peace (International Studies in Religion and Society, 1)

The book discusses the transformative role of religion in situations of violent conflict. It considers both the constructive and destructive sides of religious belief and particularly explores ways in which religion(s) may contribute to transforming conflict into peace. This volume analyses the role of religion in its current manifestations and provides alternative views of it. It is concerned with the role of religion as a source of conflict that often takes violent forms, thus contributing significantly to current problems. Attention also focuses on questions of peace from the perspective of the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A number of essays actualize a vision for peace based on religion and situate visions for peace in the wider context of human security. All chapters consider the policy implications of the theoretical and practical perspectives offered on questions of conflict and peace. The most important documents that have emerged from a variety of religious groups, notably those represented in the book, outlining their view on issues of peace and human rights are collected here, showing how religious believers have engaged with questions similar to those suggested by the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Book Discusses The Transformative Role Of Religion In Situations Of Violent Conflict. It Considers Both The Constructive And Destructive Sides Of Religious Belief And Particularly Explores Ways In Which Religion(s) May Contribute To Transforming Conflict Into Peace. This Volume Analyses The Role Of Religion In Its Current Manifestations And Provides Alternative Views Of It. It Is Concerned With The Role Of Religion As A Source Of Conflict That Often Takes Violent Forms, Thus Contributing Significantly To Current Problems. Attention Also Focuses On Questions Of Peace From The Perspective Of The Religious Traditions Of Judaism, Christianity And Islam. A Number Of Essays Actualize A Vision For Peace Based On Religion And Situate Visions For Peace In The Wider Context Of Human Security. All Chapters Consider The Policy Implications Of The Theoretical And Practical Perspectives Offered On Questions Of Conflict And Peace. Variety Of Religious Groups, Notably Those Represented In The Book, Outlining Their View On Issues Of Peace And Human Rights Are Collected Here, Showing How Religious Believers Have Engaged With Questions Similar To Those Suggested By The Principles Of The United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights.-- Publisher Description. Religion, Conflict And Peace. Religion : Source Of Conflict Or Resource For Peace? / Gerrie Ter Haar ; World Religions, Violence, And Myths Of Peace In International Relations / Marc Gopin ; Religious Conflict In Asia : Probing The Causes, Seeking Solutions / Chandra Muzaffar ; From Open Violence To Symbolic Confrontation : Anthropological Observations Of Latin America's Southern Cone / Daniel Miguez -- Religious Perspectives On Conflict And Peace. Promise Of The Kingdom And The Reality Of Sin : Christian Religion, Conflict And Visions For Peace / Jan Van Butselaar ; Christian Church As A Peacemaker In Africa : Challenges And Opportunities / Joseph Adero Ngala ; Bitter Conflict : Can Judaism Bring Hope? / Yehiel Grenimann ; Human Rights And Islam : Cohesions And Conflicts -- A Study Of Pakistan / Ali Salman -- Visions For Peace. West Papua Peace Zone : The Role Of The Church In West Papua And Local Initiatives In The Struggle For Human Rights / Benny Giay ; Religious Sector Building Peace : Some Examples From The Philippines / Maria Lorenza Palm-dalupan ; Reflections On Human Security : A Buddhist Contribution / Thanh-dam Truong -- Documentary Resources On Religion, Violence And Peace . Universal Declaration Of Human Rights ; Precepts Of The Order Of Interbeing ; Universal Islamic Declaration Of Human Rights ; Cairo Declaration On Human Rights In Islam ; Bangkok Declaration ; Toward A Declaration Of A Global Ethic ; Universal Declaration Of A Global Ethic ; Universal Declaration Of Human Rights By The World's Religions ; United Religions Initiative Charter ; Religion And Violence ; Rabbis For Human Rights Principles Of Faith. Edited By Gerrie Ter Haar And James J. Busuttil. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [371]-381) And Index. Preface......Page 7 Note on Contributors......Page 9 1. Religion: Source of Conflict or Resource for Peace? (Gerrie ter Haar)......Page 15 2. World Religions, Violence, and Myths of Peace in International Relations (Marc Gopin)......Page 47 3. Religious Conflict in Asia: Probing the Causes, Seeking Solutions (Chandra Muzaffar)......Page 69 4. From Open Violence to Symbolic Confrontation: Anthropological Observations of Latin America's Southern Cone (Daniel Míguez)......Page 93 5. The Promise of the Kingdom and the Reality of Sin: Christian Religion, Conflict and Visions for Peace (Jan van Butselaar)......Page 133 6. The Christian Church as a Peacemaker in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities (Joseph Adero Ngala)......Page 165 7. Bitter Conflict: Can Judaism Bring Hope? (Yehiel Grenimann)......Page 181 8. Human Rights and Islam: Cohesions and Conflicts – A Study of Pakistan (Ali Salman)......Page 197 9. West Papua Peace Zone: The Role of the Church in West Papua and Local Initiatives in the Struggle for Human Rights (Benny Giay)......Page 215 10. The Religious Sector Building Peace: Some Examples from the Philippines (Maria Lorenza Palm-Dalupan)......Page 237 11. Reflections on Human Security: A Buddhist Contribution (Thanh-Dam Truong)......Page 287 Universal Declaration of Human Rights......Page 311 The Precepts of the Order of Interbeing......Page 319 Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights......Page 323 The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam......Page 337 The Bangkok Declaration......Page 345 Toward a Declaration of a Global Ethic......Page 351 A Universal Declaration of a Global Ethic......Page 355 Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions......Page 363 United Religions Initiative Charter......Page 371 Religion and Violence......Page 375 Rabbis for Human Rights Principles of Faith......Page 379 Bibliography......Page 383 Index......Page 395 To launch the new series, International Studies in Religion and Society, scholars of religion, law, anthropology, and other disciplines focus on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; however, an additional chapter on Buddhism provides a contrast with the Abrahamic religions. The 11 essays, some commissioned for the volume after the 2001 conference, cover religion, conflict, and peace; religious perspectives on conflict and peace; and visions for peace. A final section provides documentary resources for readers inspired to take action. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)