Religion and peacemaking when religion is part of the problem: A review of 'Religion, Civil Society and Peace in Northern Ireland'

Reviews the book, Religion, Civil Society, and Peace in Northern Ireland by John D. Brewer, Gareth I. Higgins, and Francis Teeney (2011). In many conflicts, religion is viewed as part of the problem, often masking deep seated antipathies lying beyond religious difference. The role that religion can have in forming part of the solution, however, is often neglected. Religion, Civil Society, and Peace in Northern Ireland addresses this gap. Although the focus is on the Northern Ireland peace process, this book offers important lessons on how the church can be instrumental in peacemaking processes, both positively and negatively. Paying close attention to the role of the church and civil society in peacemaking, this book offers an important insight into the strengths and weaknesses of religious peacemaking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)