REL 3770 - Death or Glory: Religion and War

(3) Credit Hours

Study of the intertwining of military ideals and spirit with religious belief and practice. Examination of scriptural passages on war. Survey of ethics of war from diverse religious traditions, framed, in part, by pacifist, militarist, realist and just war traditions and International Humanitarian Law. Historical examples of wars explicitly involving religion with Joan of Arc and other historical figures as personal cases. Questions the relationship between politics and religion and if religion causes wars. Study of the myths and rituals that accompany war, including an extended discussion on war and the ‘way of the warrior’ as religious experiences in and of themselves. Every Fall semester and every other Spring semester.