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Fire source and peace force: The role of religion in development

Since 9/11, religion has been considered a source of conflict. But Germany’s Development Ministry wants to reevaluate the the positive role it can play in developing countries.

“Religion can build bridges and motivate people to work for the benefit of others and the environment. We have neglected this potential for far too long,”

Development Minister Gerd Müller said.

Meanwhile, a research project conducted between 2008 and 2015 by the Hamburg-based Giga Institute found that, precisely in Africa, religion tends to play a more destructive role in 22 out of 48 conflicts.

However, the project’s director Matthias Basedau writes, almost no research has been done on the role of religion in coping with conflicts.

Basedau said he also believes religion is not only an accelerant in conflicts, but should be viewed as a positive force more often.

In a new research project, Basedau hopes to find out under which conditions religion strengthens development or tends to hinder it.
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