Ethnic Conflict and Religion

Fülszöveg

W'hile wars between nations have taken a staggering toll in humán lives, even more people have died in the 20th century from violence at the hand of their own governments. Much of this suffering and death has been sparked by tensions and hostilities arising out of ethnic differences. Today's social, economic and political realities, including the weakening of the nation-state in a global economy and the disappearance of multi-ethnic nation-states like the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, mean that ethnic conflict is likely to remain on the international agenda well into the new millennium. For the churches, committed to reconciliation but often themselves identiíied with one party or another in ethnic conflicts, this raises critical questions regarding their mission in the world. The heart of this book is case studies of nine 20thcentury ethnic conflicts, in which millions of people have perished. The author illustrates the complexity of these situations as they have evolved over the... Tovább

Fülszöveg

W'hile wars between nations have taken a staggering toll in humán lives, even more people have died in the 20th century from violence at the hand of their own governments. Much of this suffering and death has been sparked by tensions and hostilities arising out of ethnic differences. Today's social, economic and political realities, including the weakening of the nation-state in a global economy and the disappearance of multi-ethnic nation-states like the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, mean that ethnic conflict is likely to remain on the international agenda well into the new millennium. For the churches, committed to reconciliation but often themselves identiíied with one party or another in ethnic conflicts, this raises critical questions regarding their mission in the world. The heart of this book is case studies of nine 20thcentury ethnic conflicts, in which millions of people have perished. The author illustrates the complexity of these situations as they have evolved over the centuries and highlights the role which religious affiliations and convictions, including Christianity have often played in worsening relations among ethnic communities. A final chapter suggests four lines of reflection and action for Christian churches confronted by ethnic conflicts in their own contexts and elsewhere. Théo Tschuy is a Swiss Methodist pastor. A graduate of Garrett Theological School in Evanston, Illinois, he holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Zürich. Besides pastorates in Switzerland and the us, he has been Latin America secretary with the World Council of Churches, associate generál secretary of the joint wcc-Roman Catholic programme sodepax and director of an ecumenical humán rights programme for the churches of Europe, Canada and the us. ISBN 2-8254-1190- 9782825411902 Vissza