ABSTRACT

War is a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism between peoples and is usually defined as armed conflict between two or more governments or states. Religion and warfare are ancient partners that remain inextricably bound. Virtually every war in human history was supported by at least one religious institution, as were movements of opposition to warfare. The widespread peace movements of the twentieth century were largely initiated and nurtured by the same religious institutions that promoted history's bloodiest wars.