Building Bridges: How Religions Work for Peace

Think about this: religion has sometimes been used to justify violence and division throughout history. Yet many of the world's most famous peace-makers — from Gandhi to Desmond Tutu — were deeply religious people. How can the same thing inspire both conflict and peace? Before you read on, take 90 seconds to jot down or think about: what do you already know about a religious leader, group, or idea that has worked to stop violence or bring people together? It does not matter if you are not sure — this is just a warm-up.

**What is peace-building?** Peace-building means actively working to prevent violence, heal divisions, and create conditions where people can live together fairly and safely. It goes beyond simply stopping a war — it involves rebuilding trust, addressing injustice, and restoring relationships. **Religious motivations for peace** Most major world religions include teachings that push believers towards peaceful action. Here are some examples: - **Islam** teaches *salaam* (peace) as a core value. The Qur'an (5:32) states that saving one life is like saving all humanity. Many Muslim scholars and organisations draw on this to oppose violence. - **Christianity** includes Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, where he calls peacemakers 'children of God' (Matthew 5:9). The concept of *agape* — unconditional love — drives many Christian aid and reconciliation projects. - **Hinduism** promotes *ahimsa* (non-violence) as a fundamental ethical duty. Mahatma Gandhi used this principle to lead non-violent resistance against colonial rule in India. - **Buddhism** places *metta* (loving-kindness) and the avoidance of harm at the centre of its ethics. Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh founded the Engaged Buddhism movement, applying Buddhist values directly to social and political conflict. - **Judaism** values *tikkun olam* ('repairing the world'), which motivates many Jewish individuals and organisations to work for social justice and conflict resolution. **Religious organisations in action** Religious motivation translates into real-world action through organisations and individuals: - **The Community of Sant'Egidio** is a Catholic lay organisation that has successfully mediated peace agreements, including ending Mozambique's civil war in 1992. They bring parties together through dialogue rooted in their faith. - **Desmond Tutu** (Anglican Archbishop, South Africa) chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission after apartheid, using Christian ideas of forgiveness and restorative justice to help heal a deeply divided nation. - **Thich Nhat Hanh** worked during the Vietnam War to care for civilians on both sides, refusing to take sides politically while insisting on the dignity of every person. **A nuanced picture** It is important to be honest: religion has also been used to justify violence, discrimination, and war throughout history. Religious peace-builders often have to work against extremist interpretations of their own traditions. Genuine peace-building therefore requires religious communities to engage in self-criticism and reform, not just outward action. This complexity makes religious peace-building a rich and contested field. Scholars distinguish between *negative peace* (simply the absence of violence) and *positive peace* (a just and stable society). Religious traditions, at their best, tend to push towards positive peace.