Religion and Culture in Asia Pacific: Violence or Healing?

Joseph A. Camilleri (ed) — ($25)

This collection of essays brings together some of the most important theorists and practitioners of conflict resolution in Asia Pacific. It paints a daunting picture of the great challenge ahead, but at the same time conveys an empowering sense of the enormous resources which the spiritual an ethical traditions of the Asia-Pacific region can bring in response to that challenge.

As Swami Agnivesh, one of the contributors to this volume and perhaps one of India's most charismatic figures remarks:

It is time… for serious, honest reflection. Do Muslims guarantee the religious freedom even of a pagan or an apostate in their counties? Can we Hindus finally abolish the dreadful caste system which degrades one third of our population to near subhuman conditions? Can our Christian leaders accept a strict separation between Church and State…? Can we collectively agree to teach our children a universal morality and refrain from our sectarian indoctrination? And finally, can we give half of humanity, the women, their rightful place in the religious field?

The selection of essays is broken up into six sections: Perspectives on Religion and Culture; Healing Divided Societies; the Role of Islam; Reclaiming Spirituality; Human Rights; Practical Initiatives.