Peace or Peacelessness

The Possible Relationship between Religion and Conflict, in Particular for the Success of Crisis Response Operations

Abstract

Throughout the next pages, I seek to answer the question about the significance of religion in everyday life and in the emergence of conflicts in the areas and countries where the United Nations, the European Union, and NATO are conducting crisis response missions. In my strive to find answers, I have used the Global Peace Index of the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Religious Freedom Report by Aid to the Church in Need, the World Watch List developed by Open Doors, and reports by the US Department of State. In addition to outlining the debates surrounding religion and violence, I wish to broaden the perspective and pinpoint the potential background of conflicts. I ask the question as to how far it is possible and worthwhile to simplify matters while seeking to identify the causes, even in situations of religious tension, especially given that crisis response forces wish to offer effective help and practical solutions whilst promoting steps towards positive peace. Can churches and religious communities be of assistance in this? What examples of this can we find in the documents of the US Department of State?