Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding: The Role of Religious Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(2020) ISBN: [978-3030551100], 504 pages, published
Files
StipeOdak-ReligionandPeacebuildingfinalversion.docx
Open Access - Microsoft Word XML
- 1.84 MB
Details
- Authors
- Abstract
- The book analyzes the relationship between religion and peacebuilding through three major topics: forgiveness, reconciliation, and memory in post-conflict settings. In the first part, the book explores the differences between various forms of forgiveness (self-forgiveness, interpersonal forgiveness, intergroup forgiveness), ethical imperatives, and religious connotations behind the term. The second part addresses the challenges of reconciliation, especially when the term is presented as a political or an ideological project to be obeyed. By positing the disparity between ‘reconciliation with something’ and ‘reconciliation with someone’ the chapter outlines the potential dangers of reconciliatory activities that have little sensitivity to victims and leave no space for public deliberation. The chapter on memory is centered around two axes: memory as legacy and memory as pathology. It discusses the importance of constructing common mnemonic frameworks related to past tragedies, but it also presents how elements of tragic memories can obstruct groups’ ability to ‘come to terms with the past’ and impede intergroup dialogue. The final chapter outlines how religion interacts with those three elements and subsequently influences peacebuilding processes.
- Affiliations
Citations
Odak, S. (2020). Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding: The Role of Religious Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Springer. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/122269