ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deals with a sociological definition of violence versus nonviolence/peace. It suggests that the One-and-Only-Principle leads to violence; does this mean that the monotheistic religions who believe truth resides only with them are inevitably destined to use violence and war? The book explores the unusual phenomenon of a grassroots European lay movement that used carefully orchestrated church councils to put pressure on knights and secular rulers to refrain from infighting and to bring the immediate realization of millennial peace on earth. It examines the mechanics of those treaties from the crusader side and shows the role played by growing familiarity with the religious Other and his beliefs to make durable peace treaties. The book addresses the legal and ideological basis of Muslim peacemaking in the crusader period.