Introduction

Abstract

Abstract This Handbook describes four major dimensions: 1) overviews of major religious traditions; 2) patterns and themes relating to religious violence; 3) major analytic approaches; and 4) new directions in theory and analysis related to religion and violence. There is a much more nuanced interpretation of the presence of violence in so many different traditions. This chapter, which specifically presents overviews of traditions, patterns and themes, analytic approaches, and new directions in order to offer a roadmap to the academic field of studies in religion and violence, demonstrates both the range and diversity of areas of inquiry within this emerging field. The images and acts of destruction discussed in the chapters can be collectively described as “religious violence.” The study of religious violence and the religious dimensions of violent situations do much to shed light on the nature of religion itself.