Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding [Paperback]

David R. Smock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

As the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish contributors to this volume have discovered firsthand, religion is better at fostering peace than at fueling war. Rarely, conclude the authors, is religion the principal cause of international conflict, even though some adversaries may argue differently. But religion can often be invaluable in promoting understanding and reconciliation-and the need to exploit that potential has never been greater.

Drawing on their extensive experience in organizing interaction and cooperation across religious boundaries in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Northern Ireland, and the Balkans, the contributors explore the formidable potential of interfaith dialogue. The first part of the volume analyzes the concept and its varied application; the second focuses on its practice in specific zones of conflict; and the third assesses the experiences and approaches of particular organizations.

When organized creatively, interfaith dialogue can nurture deep engagement at all levels of the religious hierarchy, including the community level. It draws strength from the peacemaking traditions shared by many faiths and from the power of religious ritual and symbolism. Yet, as the authors also make plain, it also has its limitations and carries great risks.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David R. Smock is vice president of the Institute's Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution and associate vice president of the Religion and Peacemaking program, one of the Centers of Innovation. Previously he served as director of the USIP's Grant program and coordinator of Africa activities. He has worked on African issues for over thirty years and lived in Africa for eleven years. As a staff member of the Ford Foundation from 1964 to 1980, he served in Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, and New York. From 1980 to 1986, Smock served concurrently as director of the South African Education Program, a scholarship program that brings black South African students to U.S. universities, and vice president for program development and research for the Institute of International Education. After serving as executive associate to the president of the United Church of Christ from 1986 to 1989, Smock became executive director of International Voluntary Services, supervising development projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He is editor of Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding, Making War and Waging Peace: Foreign Intervention in Africa, and co-editor of African Conflict Resolution: The U.S. Role in Peacemaking. He received a Ph.D. in anthropology from Cornell University and holds an M.Div. from New York Theological Seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: United States Institute of Peace (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929223358
• ISBN-13: 978-1929223350
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great contributions in chapter 1, 2 + 6, otherwise a mixed bag, February 24, 2007

By 

Stefan Zulauf (Calgary, Kanada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding (Paperback)

The articles by Abu-Nimer and Marc Gopin rich are rich in wisdom and scholarship. Especially Abu-Nimers attention to the power issue was something new and well discussed. Abu-Nimer here really has opened my eyes to issues, I was not aware of before. Gopin's "shared study" is something, I think is definitely something valuable for especially interfaith dialogue groups which try to involve conservative faith groups. I also found Joseph Liechty's description of the peacebuilding process in Northern Ireland really insightful. He explains how he experienced that truth claims made conflict resolution very difficult and shows how he found a way forward in Northern Ireland.
Overall, the book is a mixed bag and the quality of the articles vary greatly. But the book is just worth buying for Abu-Nimer's, Marc Gopin's and Joseph Liechty's contributions in chapter one, two and six. However, you might find some aspects in the other articles helpful that I didn't value. Peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue are very situational and so my review has to be taken with a grain of salt.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A meaningful message of hope, strength, and love, August 8, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding (Paperback)

Capably edited by David R. Smock (Director of the Religion and Peacemaking Initiative, University States Institute of Peace), Interfaith Dialogue And Peacebuilding is an informative, insightful anthology of essays by learned Christian, Muslim, and Jewish contributors on and about the power of religion in bringing peace to troubled nations and troubled communities. Rarely, say the contributors, is religion the direct cause of open armed conflict. More often it is the forces of politics, economics, and oppression seeking a cloak of legitimacy coopting religion that is at the basis of violence as one group seeks to subjugate or resist another. Analyzing the power of the using religion as a bridge to peace between different cultures, Interfaith Dialogue And Peacebuilding contains a meaningful message of hope, strength, and love.