ABSTRACT
IN THE OPENING CHAPTER I SOUGHT TO characterize the contemporary Westerncultural context in which theology is undertaken. I made the briefest of references to the role of the media in Western culture. I pointed out how for some students of religion and theology today their main point of contact with religion is through media reports on religion from around the world. As much of this reporting is of cases where religion is tangled up with conflict, it is not surprising that some students approach their studies with some trepidation. For they may undertake their study fully aware of what a destructive phenomenon religion can be.
