Peace, Culture, Religion 

There is very little research on professional evaluation1 of faith-based peacebuilding, despite the
existence of a variety of efforts over centuries to promote peace within many faith traditions.
Therefore, this briefing paper will first address pertinent concepts and principles related to belief
in the supernatural that, to varying degrees, influence all faith-based actors. Secondly, it will
address the application of these conceptions to evaluation practice. This will inform guidance for
peacebuilders and evaluators, both religious and secular, working in faith-based contexts, which
we refer to synonymously as “faith-based peacebuilding” or “religious peacebuilding.”
Furthermore, the perspective presented can apply to both inter-religious and intra-religious
peacebuilding. Intra-faith conflicts between different entities within one religion can also be deep
rooted and equally intractable. Differences based on identity, authority structures and interpretation, can influence worldviews and faith-based practices like ritual,adding significantly
to the complexity of a conflict.
 

25 p.; illus.; 26 cm