Conclusion
Including religion more thoroughly and effectively in conflict resolution theory and practice will require considerably more research and practical learning. Fortunately, academics, policymakers, practitioners, and people of faith themselves are increasingly exploring the role religion plays in conflict and its peaceful management.
While theories to explain concepts like “faith-based diplomacy” and “religious peacemaking” have yet to be clearly established, the practical experience of religion as both a negative and positive force in human relations is beginning to be more widely documented and acknowledged. Significant gaps and challenges remain, but the growing number of people engaging the nexus of religion, conflict, and conflict resolution offers reason for hope that faith will become a more integrated part of the search for solutions to human problems.The questions posed in this chapter provide one starting point for better understanding religious dynamics at play in conflict situations and for identifying opportunities to support religious contributions to peace. It is hoped that they will serve as a practical tool for students of conflict resolution, practitioners, and policymakers to stimulate new insights, prompt new questions, and improve approaches to addressing conflict. In the meantime, people of faith have their own responsibility to promote tolerance and cooperative values within their communities; to build interfaith connections and open dialogue with the secular world; and to lift up teachings, leaders, and institutions that provide resources for constructive conflict management in their own tradition. Ultimately, by combining our efforts we may be able to reduce the impact of those who would use religion to justify violence and strengthen religion’s “third side” potential for building peace.