Schliesser, Christine (2018). From ‚A Theology of Genocide‘ To A ‚Theology of Reconciliation‘? On the Role of Christian Churches in the Nexus of Religion and Genocide in Rwanda. Religions, 9(2), pp. 1-14. MDPI 10.3390/rel9020034
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This paper explores the role of a specific religious actor, namely Christian churches, in the nexus of religion and genocide in Rwanda. Four factors are identified that point to the churches' complicity in creating and sustaining the conditions in which the 1994 genocide could occur, leaving up to one million people dead. These factors include the close relationship between church and state, the churches' endorsement of ethnic policies, power struggles within the churches, and a problematic theology emphasizing obedience instead of responsibility. Nevertheless, the portrayal of all Christian churches as collaborators of the genocide appears too simplistic and one-sided. Various church-led initiatives for peace and reconciliation prior to the genocide indicate a more complex picture of church involvement. Turning away from a " Theology of Genocide " that endorsed ethnic violence, numerous Christian churches in Rwanda now propagate a " Theology of Reconciliation. " A modest empirical case study of the Presbyterian Church (EPR) reveals how their " Theology of Reconciliation " embraces the four dimensions of theology, institutions, relationships, and remembrance. Based on their own confession of guilt in the Detmold Confession of 1996, the EPR's engagement for reconciliation demonstrates religion's constructive contribution in Rwanda's ongoing quest for sustainable peace and development.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
01 Faculty of Theology > Institute of Historical Theology |
UniBE Contributor: |
Schliesser, Christine |
Subjects: |
200 Religion > 230 Christianity & Christian theology 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 320 Political science 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 350 Public administration & military science |
ISSN: |
2077-1444 |
Publisher: |
MDPI |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Christine Schliesser |
Date Deposited: |
22 May 2019 13:34 |
Last Modified: |
05 Dec 2022 15:27 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.3390/rel9020034 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.7892/boris.128149 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/128149 |
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