Studying religion on both sides of conflict

Over the past several years, Dr. Megan Shore of King’s Social Justice and Peace Studies has seen stories of what appeared to be religiously-inspired violence dominating the news that would “seem to confirm that religion is violent and perpetuates conflict.”

At the same time, her work around the world showed her another side of religion. “Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam all promote peace and respect for others as key components in their traditions. Indeed, religious organizations and actors have been leaders in working for peace, establishing medical clinics, social welfare agencies and schools, as well as providing humanitarian assistance amidst war, famine and natural disaster,” says Dr. Shore.

She was prompted by this experience to develop a new course at King’s, Religion and Conflict Resolution (Social Justice and Peace Studies 3451G, Religious Studies 3451G).

“Students are interested in trying to understand the complexity of the role religion plays in everyday lives, especially in an age of terrorism and extremist attacks, like the attack on mosques in Montreal or Christchurch,” says Dr. Shore.

Religion and Conflict Resolution will examine the role religion plays both in perpetuating violence and in building peace and resolving conflict. Students will be offered a broad understanding of the complexity of issues of religion’s role in conflict and conflict resolution.  They will discuss religiously-framed conflict, the factors that lead to such conflict and  their historical, socio-cultural and political contexts.

The class will be taught in an interactive, seminar style where students will focus on topics they are interested in, with Dr. Shore’s mentoring.  Students will examine case studies representative of all major religious traditions from different parts of the world, including Guatemala, Northern Island, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Palestine/Israel, and Canada (residential schools), that provide a basis for comparing theories and practices of resolving conflict.

Dr. Shore says there will be an experiential learning component to the course. “Students are interested in putting what they learn into practice. They want to see what religion is doing to build peace where they live,” she says. Students will visit, among other sites in the community, The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum at Wolseley Barracks to learn about the community’s role in international conflict resolution and the Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services to learn about First Nations culture in Canada and reconciliation. There will also be workshops about the London Interfaith Peace Camp and Kids4peace Jerusalem to learn about the importance of interfaith dialogue in peacebuilding.

Religion and Conflict Resolution will run May 13 – 20, on Mondays to Thursdays, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For more information on Religious Studies courses, including Religion and Conflict Resolution, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/academics/religious-studies/religious-studies/course-offerings/.