Overview
Recent years have seen a meteoric rise in the power and importance of organized religion in many parts of the world. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in violence perpetrated in the name of religion. While much has been written on the relationship between violence and religious militancy, history shows that religious people have also played a critical role in peacemaking within numerous cultures. In the new century, will religion bring upon further catastrophes? Or will it provide human civilization with methods of care, healing, and the creation of peaceful and just societies? In this groundbreaking book, Marc Gopin integrates the study of religion with the study of conflict resolution. He argues that religion can play a critical role in constructing a global community of shared moral commitments and vision-a community that can limit conflict to its nonviolent, constructive variety. If we examine religious myths and moral traditions, Gopin argues, we can understand why and when religious people come to violence, and why and when they become staunch peacemakers. He shows that it is the conservative expression of most religious traditions that presents the largest challenge in terms of peace and conflict. Gopin considers ways to construct traditional paradigms that are committed to peacemaking on a deep level and offers such a paradigm for the case of Judaism. Throughout, Gopin emphasizes that developing the potential of the world's religions for coping with conflict demands a conscious process on the part of peacemakers and theologians. His innovative and carefully argued study also offers a broad set of recommendations for policy planners both inside and outside of government.
Full Product Details
Author: Marc Gopin
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:
Width: 15.50cm
, Height: 2.10cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 0.465kg
ISBN: 9780195157253
ISBN 10: 0195157257
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 01 October 2002
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
[O]ffers a nuanced understanding of the relationship of religion and violence. --Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation<br>
An insightful examination of religious motivations for war and peace...a must-read for anyone interested in the influence of religion on violence and conflict. -Millennium: Journal of International Studies A respected practitioner as well as theorist of religious-conflict resolution. -Our Sunday Visitor
Author Information
Dr. Marc Gopin is an adjunct professor of International Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He also teaches at the Conflict Transformation Program of Eastern Mennonite University, has trained over 600 students worldwide in conflict resolution, and acts as a consultant for conflict resolution.
