Ethnic Conflict and Religion: Challenge to the Churches

While wars between nations have taken a staggering toll in human lives, even more people 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 such as the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, mean that ethnic conflict is likely to remain on the international agenda. For the churches, committed to reconciliation but often themselves identified 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 20th-century 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. This book is intended to help concerned Christian individuals, congregations and study groups to recognize the complexity of issues of ethnicity and nationalism, reflect biblically and theologically on ethnic identity, and respond pastorally to such situations of tension and conflict.