In Search of Solutions (Religion and Violence) [Hardcover]

Clinton Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Series: Religion and Violence | Publication Date: January 15, 2009

This book sets out to explore three conflict contexts in which religion is generally acknowledged to be at least a factor, although some minimize religions role while others identify it as a major cause of violence. The book evaluates what role religion does play (or has played) in the Northern Ireland, Bosnian and Israel-Palestinian conflicts including the contribution of the womens movement in Ireland. It takes seriously the psychological tendency to demonise those who do not share our views and will argue that religion, although one factor among others, does all too easily lends itself in support of conflict. The author argues that stories of how religion has helped to solve conflict are rare, which is a major handicap when advocating that religion can play a peacemaking role. He argues that scriptures can be used to justify conflict and that an alternative interpretative paradigm is needed if this tendency is to be reversed. Given that, for religious people, the reduction of scriptures to totally human constructs is hugely problematical, this book proposes a hermeneutic that is more helpful than viewing all scriptures as human response to the divine. Drawing on post-modern theory, the book also argues that, though scriptures may be divine, interpretation is always human. However, post-modernitys maxim that there are no single or authoritative interpretations of any text, that all interpretations are equally valid, including those that justify violence, will be rejected on the basis that there is a higher moral ground on which humans should stand which values peace. Drawing on the philosophy of E. W Hocking, the books conclusion suggests that peace will be best guaranteed when religions transcend their particularities and human individuals commune directly with the divine, without the necessity of organised religions as mediators. Intended as a course text, discussion questions are included but it is hoped that the book will also be of interest to a general readership.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Clinton Bennett is Associate Professor of Ministry and Director of Field Education at Unification Theological Seminary, Barrytown, NY and an ordained Baptist minister. Previous posts include Chaplain at Aston University, Birmingham, co-pastor of Highgate Baptist Church, Birmingham, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies and Assistant Chaplain at Westminster College, Oxford and Associate Professor of Religion at Baylor University, Texas. A specialist in Christian-Muslim relations, his six books include Victorian Images of Islam (1992), In Search of Muhammad (1998) and Muslims and Modernity (2005).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 284 pages
• Publisher: Equinox Publishing Limited (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845532392
• ISBN-13: 978-1845532390
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

More About the Author

Clinton Bennett was awarded the PhD in Islamic Studies by Birmingham University in 1990. He also holds the M.Ed. from Oxford and his undergraduate degree in Theology from Manchester University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and of the Royal Anthropological Institute and uses ethnography in his research. He is especially interested in how sensitive but critical issues in Religious Studies can be explored without causing offense to religious insiders. He is a specialist in the study of Islam with a focus on modern Muslim thinkers and movements. An ordained Baptist minister, he has worked as a missionary in Bangladesh, as co-pastor of a multi-racial inner city congregation, on the staff of the British Council of Churches and as a College and University chaplain and teacher. He has written nine books. He has combined academic study of Islam with participation in interfaith dialogue, serving on several World Council of Churches committees. He has advised local mosques, chaired school governing bodies and represented an NGO at the UN. He currently teaches at the State University of New York at New Paltz. His homepage is www.clintonbennett.net