ABSTRACT
This contribution provides an introduction to a new holistic theoretical approach to violence and nonviolence/peace. It provides a brief overview of the field of research on violence, noting the forms of violence that have been identified to date and the essence of the current explanatory approaches. It then introduces the theoretical model through a description of the terminology used and a summary of its core concepts. The chapter closes with a short demonstration of the applicability of this approach by taking a look at the historical role of religion(s) - namely, how religious traditions, convictions, ideas, and values influence violence and nonviolence/peace.
