Much has been written on the relationship between violence and religious militancy, but there has been less research on constructive methods of confronting religious violence. A new book, Between Eden and Armageddon (Oxford University Press, 2000) [publisher's website], represents an innovative attempt to integrate the study of religion with the study of conflict resolution. Author Marc Gopin offers an analysis of contemporary religious violence as a reaction to the pressures of modernity and the increasing economic integration of the world. He contends that religion is one of the most salient phenomena that will cause massive violence in the next century.

He also argues, however, that religion can play a critical role in constructing a global community of shared moral commitments and vision - a community that can limit conflict to its nonviolent, constructive variety.

Mr. Gopin is Adjunct Professor, Negotiations Program, Fletcher School of Law at Tufts University; Research Associate at Brandeis University; and Associate, Institute for Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University. The session will be moderated by David Smock, Director, Religion and Peacemaking Program, U. S. Institute of Peace.