Religion and African Civil Wars

This collection analyzes the part played by religion - Christianity, Islam, and tradition beliefs - in Africa's recent civil wars and insurgent conflicts. The contributors focus on four key areas of the continent: the southern Sudan; Rwanda/Burundi/Congo; Zimbabwe/South Africa; and Sierra Leone/Liberia/Guinea. Among the topics discussed are the role of religious institutions in these conflicts, how religion is used to legitimize violence and war, the role of religion in debating and making sense of war and conflict, and the application of religion as a cultural resource in warfare. The religious consequences of civil wars, in particular how war changes religious beliefs and practice, how war and violence generate their own new religious movements and ideas, and the part religion plays in healing the wounds of civil strife are also examined.