Religion and War
Religion on the Battlefield (Cornell, 2016)
Religion on the Battlefield (Cornell, 2016)
How does religion shape the modern battlefield? I propose that religion acts as a force multiplier, both enabling and constraining military operations. This is true not only for religiously radicalized fighters but also for professional soldiers. In the last century, religion has influenced modern militaries in the timing of attacks, the selection of targets for assault, the zeal with which units execute their mission, and the ability of individual soldiers to face the challenge of war. Religious ideas have not provided the reasons why conventional militaries fight, but religious practices have influenced their ability to do so effectively.
How does religion shape the modern battlefield? I propose that religion acts as a force multiplier, both enabling and constraining military operations. This is true not only for religiously radicalized fighters but also for professional soldiers. In the last century, religion has influenced modern militaries in the timing of attacks, the selection of targets for assault, the zeal with which units execute their mission, and the ability of individual soldiers to face the challenge of war. Religious ideas have not provided the reasons why conventional militaries fight, but religious practices have influenced their ability to do so effectively.
Religion on the Battlefield focuses on the everyday practice of religion in a military context: the prayers, rituals, fasts, and feasts of the religious practitioners who make up the bulk of the adversaries in, bystanders to, and observers of armed conflicts. To show that religious practices have influenced battlefield decision making, I draw most of my examples from major wars involving Western militaries. They include British soldiers in the trenches of World War I, U.S. pilots in World War II, and U.S. Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. I show that even modern, rational, and bureaucratized military organizations have taken—and must take—religious practice into account in the conduct of war.
Religion on the Battlefield focuses on the everyday practice of religion in a military context: the prayers, rituals, fasts, and feasts of the religious practitioners who make up the bulk of the adversaries in, bystanders to, and observers of armed conflicts. To show that religious practices have influenced battlefield decision making, I draw most of my examples from major wars involving Western militaries. They include British soldiers in the trenches of World War I, U.S. pilots in World War II, and U.S. Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. I show that even modern, rational, and bureaucratized military organizations have taken—and must take—religious practice into account in the conduct of war.
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Religion in the Military Worldwide (Cambridge, 2013)
Religion in the Military Worldwide (Cambridge, 2013)
How does religion affect the lives of professional soldiers? How does religion shape militaries, their organization, procedures, and performance?
How does religion affect the lives of professional soldiers? How does religion shape militaries, their organization, procedures, and performance?
This edited volume is the first to address these questions by comparing religious symbols and practices in nine countries: Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, India, the United States, and Turkey.
This edited volume is the first to address these questions by comparing religious symbols and practices in nine countries: Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, India, the United States, and Turkey.
The contributors explore how and why soldiers pray, the role of religious rituals prior to battle, the functions that chaplains perform, the effects of religion on recruitment and unit formation, and how militaries grapple with ensuing constitutional dilemmas.
The contributors explore how and why soldiers pray, the role of religious rituals prior to battle, the functions that chaplains perform, the effects of religion on recruitment and unit formation, and how militaries grapple with ensuing constitutional dilemmas.
Selected Publications:
Selected Publications:
“Debating the Role of Religion in War,” correspondence with Michael Horowitz, International Security, Vol.35, No.1 (Summer 2010) (PDF)
“Debating the Role of Religion in War,” correspondence with Michael Horowitz, International Security, Vol.35, No.1 (Summer 2010) (PDF)
The primary effects of religion on war are not causal. Religion rarely sparks wars but it always shapes wars in subtle ways. I argue that religion was not just a cause of the duration and fervor of the Crusades, but also a product of the Crusades. Religion affected, and was affected by, its symbols, timing, location, and participants.
The primary effects of religion on war are not causal. Religion rarely sparks wars but it always shapes wars in subtle ways. I argue that religion was not just a cause of the duration and fervor of the Crusades, but also a product of the Crusades. Religion affected, and was affected by, its symbols, timing, location, and participants.
Combatants coordinate their attacks with the religious calendar in order to exploit force multiplying effects of religion on their own troops and the force dividing effects of religion on their opponents' troops. An attack on a holy day can encourage or restrain one's own soldiers or catch the enemy's soldiers off guard.
Combatants coordinate their attacks with the religious calendar in order to exploit force multiplying effects of religion on their own troops and the force dividing effects of religion on their opponents' troops. An attack on a holy day can encourage or restrain one's own soldiers or catch the enemy's soldiers off guard.
Why did violent protests erupt in response to the Danish "Muhammad Cartoons" in nine Muslim-majority countries but not in 43 others? I suggest a theory of "moral threat" to explain why fundamentalist movements mobilize violence in states that permit protests but fail to protect religion from blasphemy.
Why did violent protests erupt in response to the Danish "Muhammad Cartoons" in nine Muslim-majority countries but not in 43 others? I suggest a theory of "moral threat" to explain why fundamentalist movements mobilize violence in states that permit protests but fail to protect religion from blasphemy.
Religious Violence in Judaism: Past and Present,” with Gideon Aran, Terrorism and Political Violence, Vol.25, No.3 (2013) (PDF)
Religious Violence in Judaism: Past and Present,” with Gideon Aran, Terrorism and Political Violence, Vol.25, No.3 (2013) (PDF)
We offer a survey of the components of Jewish ethos and mythos relating to violence over the course of three millennia, from biblical times to the contemporary Jewish world. Actors engage in a constant evaluation, selection, and reinterpretation of religious ideas and practices and in so doing contribute to that reservoir.
We offer a survey of the components of Jewish ethos and mythos relating to violence over the course of three millennia, from biblical times to the contemporary Jewish world. Actors engage in a constant evaluation, selection, and reinterpretation of religious ideas and practices and in so doing contribute to that reservoir.
“Contemporary Challenges and Future Opportunities for U.S. Chaplains”, with Jason Klocek, in Eric Patterson, ed., U.S. Military Chaplains in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Beyond: Advisement and Leader Engagement in Highly Religious Environments (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014) (PDF)
“Contemporary Challenges and Future Opportunities for U.S. Chaplains”, with Jason Klocek, in Eric Patterson, ed., U.S. Military Chaplains in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Beyond: Advisement and Leader Engagement in Highly Religious Environments (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014) (PDF)
Chaplains have contributed to peace building by means of conciliation, mediation, diplomacy, and expertise. We analyze these and outline the difficulties that chaplains will have to confront in the near future: lack of clear role definition, inadequate training, and uncertainty about the future function of the chaplaincy.
Chaplains have contributed to peace building by means of conciliation, mediation, diplomacy, and expertise. We analyze these and outline the difficulties that chaplains will have to confront in the near future: lack of clear role definition, inadequate training, and uncertainty about the future function of the chaplaincy.
“Hypotheses on Religion in the Military,” International Studies Review, Vol.18, No.2 (June 2016) (PDF)
“Hypotheses on Religion in the Military,” International Studies Review, Vol.18, No.2 (June 2016) (PDF)
Scholars have not developed a coherent research program at the intersection of religion faces and the armed forces. We should explore the relationship between religious norms and constitutional challenges; the impact that chaplains and rituals have on morale; and the effects of religion on the mental health of soldiers.
Scholars have not developed a coherent research program at the intersection of religion faces and the armed forces. We should explore the relationship between religious norms and constitutional challenges; the impact that chaplains and rituals have on morale; and the effects of religion on the mental health of soldiers.
“Religion and War: An Overview,” with Jason Klocek, in Paul Djupe, ed., Oxford Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion (Oxford, 2020). (Link)
“Religion and War: An Overview,” with Jason Klocek, in Paul Djupe, ed., Oxford Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion (Oxford, 2020). (Link)
Religion affects how combatants mobilize and prepare for war. It regulates how they fight, including unit organization and strategic decision making. Religious identities, beliefs, practices, and symbols shape how and when combatants pursue peace.
Religion affects how combatants mobilize and prepare for war. It regulates how they fight, including unit organization and strategic decision making. Religious identities, beliefs, practices, and symbols shape how and when combatants pursue peace.