Religion: Nonviolence

While religious doctrine has often been used to justify violence, injustice, or war against non-believers, many religious texts share a rhetoric of peace and goodwill, forgiveness, and tolerance. Almost every major religion has embodied this contradiction between abstract belief in a shared humanity and real tolerance. Islamic jihad, Christian imperialism, the Catholic Inquisition, Jewish political Zionism: all share in this contradiction.  Still, many religious leaders and peace activists have used faith as a vehicle to promote peace and justice.

Here are some subject terms you can use to explore peace in the context of religious practice:

African Americans Civil Rights

Civil Rights Movements United States

Nonviolence

Nonviolence -- History -- 20th century

Peace -- Religious aspects

Social justice -- History -- 20th century

Liberation theology

Social action

Dalai Lama XIV

King, Martin Luther Jr.

Tutu, Desmond

Yousafzai, Malala

Code Pink - A women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.

Peace Action - Organization founded in 1957, the largest grassroots peace network with affiliates across the country promoting disarmament, a human rights approach to problems, and a world without war.

Pathways to Peace - PTP is an international peace building, educational, and consulting organization working to build a culture of peace.

United Nations - The UN is an international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace and human rights globally through intergovernmental partnerships, policy and programs to support a mission of peace, dignity and eqaulity. Currently includes over 190 member states.