In Search of Solutions: The Problem of Religion and Conflict (Religion and Violence)

This book sets out to explore three conflict contexts in which religion is generally acknowledged to be at least a factor, although some minimize religions role while others identify it as a major cause of violence. The book evaluates what role religion does play (or has played) in the Northern Ireland, Bosnian and Israel-Palestinian conflicts including the contribution of the womens movement in Ireland. It takes seriously the psychological tendency to demonise those who do not share our views and will argue that religion, although one factor among others, does all too easily lends itself in support of conflict. The author argues that stories of how religion has helped to solve conflict are rare, which is a major handicap when advocating that religion can play a peacemaking role. He argues that scriptures can be used to justify conflict and that an alternative interpretative paradigm is needed if this tendency is to be reversed. Given that, for religious people, the reduction of scriptures to totally human constructs is hugely problematical, this book proposes a hermeneutic that is more helpful than viewing all scriptures as human response to the divine. Drawing on post-modern theory, the book also argues that, though scriptures may be divine, interpretation is always human. However, post-modernitys maxim that there are no single or authoritative interpretations of any text, that all interpretations are equally valid, including those that justify violence, will be rejected on the basis that there is a higher moral ground on which humans should stand which values peace. Drawing on the philosophy of E. W Hocking, the books conclusion suggests that peace will be best guaranteed when religions transcend their particularities and human individuals commune directly with the divine, without the necessity of organised religions as mediators. Intended as a course text, discussion questions are included but it is hoped that the book will also be of interest to a general readership.

this Book Sets Out To Explore Three Conflict Contexts In Which Religion Is Generally Acknowledged To Be At Least A Factor, Although Some Minimize Religions Role While Others Identify It As A Major Cause Of Violence. The Book Evaluates What Role Religion Does Play (or Has Played) In The Northern Ireland, Bosnian And Israel-palestinian Conflicts Including The Contribution Of The Womens Movement In Ireland. It Takes Seriously The Psychological Tendency To Demonise Those Who Do Not Share Our Views And Will Argue That Religion, Although One Factor Among Others, Does All Too Easily Lends Itself In Support Of Conflict. The Author Argues That Stories Of How Religion Has Helped To Solve Conflict Are Rare, Which Is A Major Handicap When Advocating That Religion Can Play A Peacemaking Role. He Argues That Scriptures Can Be Used To Justify Conflict And That An Alternative Interpretative Paradigm Is Needed If This Tendency Is To Be Reversed. Given That, For Religious People, The Reduction Of Scriptures To Totally Human Constructs Is Hugely Problematical, The Book Will Argue That The Allegorical Approach Is More Fruitful Than The Option Of Viewing All Scriptures As Human Response To The Divine. Drawing On Post-modern Theory, The Book Also Argues That, Though Scriptures May Be Divine, Interpretation Is Always Human. However, Post-modernitys Maxim That There Are No Single Or Authoritative Interpretations Of Any Text, That All Interpretations Are Equally Valid, Including Those That Justify Violence, Will Be Rejected On The Basis That There Is A Higher Moral Ground On Which Humans Should Stand Which Values Peace. Drawing On The Philosophy Of E. W Hocking, The Books Conclusion Suggests That Peace Will Be Best Guaranteed When Religions Transcend Their Particularities And Human Individuals Commune Directly With The Divine, Without The Necessity Of Organised Religions As Mediators. Intended As A Course Text, Discussion Questions Are Included But It Is Hoped That The Book Will Also Be Of Interest To A General Readership.

Religion has played a role in conflict throughout history, with religious scriptures often being used to justify violence. In Search of Solutions evaluates the role of religion in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Israel-Palestine. The book argues that religion has a tendency towards conflict and that peace is best guaranteed when human individuals commune directly with the divine without the mediation of organized religions. Different approaches to the reading of scriptures are introduced, drawing on post-modern theory. In Search of Solutions will be invaluable for the student seeking a clear overview of both the theory and the practice of religion in conflict resolution. Introduction: the problem of religion and conflict Conflict in Northern Ireland Resources and sources Northern Ireland : 'the troubles' Northern Ireland : religion and 'the troubles' The history of the Bosnian conflict The role of religions History of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict The role of religion in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict The problem of violent scriptures : a higher hermeneutic The end of history and God's purposes for creation Conclusion: a religion-less future?