David Little , a Professor of Religion at Harvard Divinity School , published an article titled "Religion, Conflict, and Peace." This blog has included so far a lot of news analysis about conflicts and wars that apparently have their foundations in religious extremism. For this reason, I have found Professor Little's analysis of religion and conflict quite helpful. The article questions whether religion is only destructive or whether it also has a "constructive side." He sees truth and reconciliation commissions as an example of how religion can help overcome "hostility and antagonism" , specifically referencing South Africa. With respect to religion and conflict, Little breaks sees two claims about current international politics. The first is that "real religion" can never be the cause of conflict. Often the argument is put forward that only corrupted Islam, for example, can be the cause of terrorism based on "Islamist" sentiments. Little refutes that argument and says that even the most enlightened of religious people can often heighten tensions. The other claim he addresses is that religion is not as significant as economic or political conditions. His response to this common conception that religion is less critical is that religion can and does intensify conflict because it:
1) can help legitimate an insurgency,
2) can help recruit insurgents, and
3) can help identify objects of dispute (like sacred sites).
More specifically, Little says, "There are two areas in which religion is particularly important in the generation of violent conflict: one is nationalism, and the other is terrorism." You can read the full article by Professor Little: here.
