From Doctrine to Dialogue: The Evolving Role of Religion in Peacemaking

This paper explores the multifaceted role of religion in conflict and its resolution. While often viewed as a trigger or mobilizing factor in conflicts, rather than a primary cause, religion's profound connection to individual and collective identity can incite both violent outbursts and serve as a powerful force for peace. The study first delves into various scholarly definitions of religion, highlighting its essential elements: a cosmology, rituals, and paths to spiritual transformation. It then provides an overview of major world religions—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Atheism/Agnosticism/Non-Religiousness/Secularism, Buddhism, Chinese Traditional Religions (Taoism, Confucianism, Folk Religion), Shinto, and Sikhism—underscoring their diverse beliefs and practices. Subsequently, the paper defines conflict as friction or disagreement arising from incompatible beliefs or actions, categorizing it into content, relational, and process conflicts, and distinguishing between non-violent and violent forms. Finally, it examines conflict resolution strategies, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and identifies common cognitive and emotional traps that hinder peaceful solutions (e.g., self-serving fairness interpretations, overconfidence, escalation of commitment, and conflict avoidance). The work emphasizes the constructive potential of religious institutions and leaders in peace processes, citing their credibility, shared values, and capacity to inspire reconciliation.