Justification of Religious Violence

The Justification of Religious Violence explores how justifications for religious violence are developed and how or if they differ from secular justifications of violence. Can liberal societies tolerate potentially violent religious groups? Can those who accept religious justifications for violence be dissuaded from acting violently? The book includes six case studies examining justifications offered for recent instances of violence. The first book specifically devoted to examining the logical structure of justifications of religious violence Seeks to understand how justifications for religious violence are developed and how or if they differ from ordinary secular justifications of violence Examines 3 widely employed premises used in religious justifications of violence -- appeals to a state of 'cosmic war', appeals to the importance of the afterlife, and appeals to 'sacred values'. Considers to what extent liberal democratic societies should tolerate who hold that their religion justifies violent acts. Reflects on the possibility of policy measures to persuade those who believe that violent action is justified by religion, to refrain from acting violently Informed by recent work in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience and evolutionary biology Part of the Blackwell Public Philosophy Series