Faith Based Conflict Resolution: Exploring the Shared Values in the Abrahamic Religious Traditions

Abstract:

The International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation (ICERM) believes that conflicts involving religion create exceptional environments where both unique barriers (constraints) and resolution strategies (opportunities) emerge. Regardless of whether religion exists as the source of conflict, ingrained cultural ethos, shared values and mutual religious beliefs have the ability to substantially affect both the process and outcome of conflict resolution. Relying on case studies, research findings, and practical lessons learned, this journal issue investigates and promotes the shared values in the Abrahamic religious traditions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The articles published in this journal evoke academic and civic discussions on the positive, prosocial roles that religious leaders and actors with shared Abrahamic traditions and values have played in the past and continue to play in strengthening social cohesion, peaceful settlement of disputes, interfaith dialogue & understanding, and the mediation process. The articles highlight how the shared values in Judaism, Christianity and Islam could be utilized to foster a culture of peace, enhance the mediation and dialogue processes and outcomes, and educate the mediators of religious and ethno-political conflicts as well as policymakers and other state and non-state actors working to reduce violence and resolve conflict.