E-Book Overview
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.
E-Book Content
Acknowledgments In Search of Solutions i ii In Search of Solutions Religion and Violence Series Editors Lisa Isherwood, University of Winchester, and Rosemary Radford Ruether, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California This interdisciplinary and multicultural series brings to light the ever increasing problem of religion and violence. The series will highlight how religions have a significant part to play in the creation of cultures that allow and even encourage the creation of violent conflict, domestic abuse and policies and state control that perpetuate violence to citizens. The series will highlight the problems that are experienced by women during violent conflict and under restrictive civil policies. But not wishing to simply dwell on the problems the authors in this series will also re-examine the traditions and look for alternative and more empowering readings of doctrine and tradition. One aim of the series is to be a powerful voice against creeping fundamentalisms and their corrosive influence on the lives of women and children. Published: Reweaving the Relational Mat A Christian Response to Violence against Women from Oceania Joan Alleluia Filemoni-Tofaeono and Lydia Johnson Weep Not for Your Children: Essays on Religion and Violence Lisa Isherwood and Rosemary Radford Ruether America, Amerikkka: Elect Nation and Imperial Violence Rosemary Radford Ruether Forthcoming: Meditations on Religion and Violence in the United States T. Walter Herbert Shalom/Salaam/Peace: A Liberation Theology of Hope Constance A. Hammond Acknowledgments In Search of Solutions The Problem of Religion and Conflict Clinton Bennett iii iv In Search of Solutions Published by Equinox Publishing Ltd. UK: Unit 6, The Village, 101 Amies St., London SW11 2JW U