This book examines the connection between religion and violence in the Western traditions of the three Abrahamic faiths, from ancient to modern times. It addresses a gap in the scholarly debate on the nature of religious violence by bringing scholars that specialize in pre-modern religions and scriptural traditions into the same sphere of discussion as those specializing in contemporary manifestations of religious violence.

Moving beyond the question of the "authenticity" of religious violence, this book brings together scholars from a variety of disciplines. Contributors explore the central role that religious texts have played in encouraging, as well as confronting, violence. The interdisciplinary conversation that takes place challenges assumptions that religious violence is a modern problem that can be fully understood without reference to religious scriptures, beliefs, or history. Each chapter focuses its analysis on a particular case study from a distinct historical period. Taken as a whole, these chapters attest to the persistent relationship between religion and violence that links the ancient and contemporary worlds.

This is a dynamic collection of explorations into how religion and violence intersect. As such, it will be a key resource for any scholar of Religious Studies, Theology and Religion and Violence, as well as Christian, Jewish, and Islamic Studies.

About the Author

Andre Gagne is Full Professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University. He was Directeur d'etudes invite at l'Ecole pratique des hautes etudes in Paris in 2017. Dr. Gagne is also a Full Member of the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (Concordia) and a Co-Researcher with the Centre d'expertise de formation sur les integrismes religieux, les ideologies politiques et la radicalisation (CEFIR).

Jennifer Guyver is a PhD candidate in the School of Religious Studies at McGill University. Jennifer is also a freelance academic editor and translator. Alongside researching and editing, she is currently working on a research project studying the impact of Quebec laicity on the career choice.

Gerbern S. Oegema is Professor of religion at McGill University, he is the founder and first director of the McGill Center for Research on Religion (CREOR) as well as the founder and first chair of the Council of theological Education in Montreal.

Book Information
ISBN 9781032038001
Author Andre Gagne
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 300g