ABSTRACT
What is the role of religion in conflicts? If one surveys the ancient as well as the recent history of bloody confrontations between believers of rival religions, one could hardly avoid the conclusion that “religion, having so often inspired, legitimated and exacerbated deadly conflicts, cannot be expected to contribute to their peaceful transformation.” Appleby, who refutes this notion, contends that “a new form of conflict transformation—‘religious peace building’—is taking shape on the ground, in and across local communities plagued by violence.” 1 This argument is also presented and validated by other scholars of the role of religion in conflict. 2
