Academic peace study programs frequently ignore religion as a partner in pursuit of conflict resolution. These 24 essays advocate religion as a vital, if partial, participant in any serious pursuit of lasting peace. Religion's absence in peace studies--and peacemaking--is a crippling lack. Contributors to this volume present casebook studies of religious groups involved in recent conflict resolution--successes and failures alike. Brief but nuanced accounts of several religious traditions, with their ambivalent histories of war and peace efforts, are excellent summaries of those traditions, and also show how they have fallen short of their ideals. Some religious groups, only rarely at the table, present the unique witness they have maintained, often in the face of persecution or marginalization because of their relative size or beliefs and practices at odds with dominant religions. The essay on military chaplains stands out, as it discusses going beyond the unarmed morale officer for war-weary troops, to becoming a middle-range actor in affirming that those outside the military unit are not 'other.' The essays demonstrate in diverse ways that religion can be the source of conflict, but also a source of peace building, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general readers.

Choice Reviews

This volume will be a useful counterpoint for those who associate religious bigotry and scapegoating with the advent of many violent clashes in the world, as well as a valuable pedagogical aid in the philosophical teaching about peace and conflict studies. Religion is only one somewhat inconsistent source in the development of public morality and norms which lead to conflict resolution, but it is undoubtedly an important one and subject to much misunderstanding; battles over faith and belief or between religion and science may be among the most challenging to resolve. The reader will grapple with many such contentious issues, not least the relationship between religion and human rights, the proper place of religion in political life and the most advisable balance between religious and secular institutions.

Fred Pearson, Wayne State University

This book provides insightful views of the place of religion in peace and conflict studies. Its amazingly wide, yet deep, reports of diverse religions’ approaches to peace and conflict offer specific paths to peacebuilding. The editors have assembled excellent contributors, with great knowledge about and experience with the important topics they examine. Every reader will learn about more and better ways that peace can be advanced at many different levels from this work.

Louis Kriesberg, Syracuse University

This is an important and exciting book with depth as well as breadth of coverage of the role of religion and religious actors in peace building work. The diverse and rich case studies and the theme of constructively addressing ‘religious illiteracy’ should make it a useful volume for students, researchers, and a wide variety of practitioners.

Siobhan McEvoy-Levy, Butler University

These insightful essays and informative case studies gathered by Matyok and Flaherty will help readers understand why developing peace literacy is not only something many religious believers consider essential, but also why developing religious literacy is essential for those studying and working toward peace. Peace on Earth: The Role of Religion in Peace and Conflict Studies provides valuable tools to help peace scholars, peace educators, and peace activists alike better understand roles religion and religious actors play today in both conflict and peacemaking.

Jennifer S. Bryson, Witherspoon Institute