Gods and Arms

"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