Running head: ARTICLE FOUR REVIEW 1
Article Four Review
Craig Becker
COMS 560
Liberty University
ARTICLE FOUR REVIEW 2
Article Four Review
Overview
The author argued for the place and utility of religious belief systems in conflict resolution.
Anchoring his paper on the usefulness of restorative justice, Helmick, S. J. (2001) noted by example a
case from Lebanon to illustrate how to some degree collecting various Statutes Personnelles from
various religious communities, being not necessarily dependent on each other, became an amalgum of
mutually respected laws rooted in religious dogma (Helmick, S. J., 2001). Based on the premise that
“…good influence of religion has sprung directly from its own premises of faith”, the author posited
the plausibility of religiously borne and motivated law assisting in national conflict resolution (p. 95).
Conclusions
Detrimental to progress in conflict resolution, the subject of this article, is the perception by
one group that another group will usurp authority by means of religious doctrine giving rise to
conquering force as history HAS well documented. Another conclusion the author advanced was a
generalization of the principles to conflict solving to other nations besides Lebanon having a religious
foundation component to civil law. Laws having a recognizable religious component that each people
group adopt, the principles are thought to resonate with each, helping assist in lasting and meaningful
conflict resolutions marked by respect for others – one characteristic of true religion. The author also
concluded that, given the potential restorative power inherent in these laws, more research into the
history and meaning of the laws would be helpful in tying each to the culture[Hel0111].
Personal Assessment
Strong points reflected the author’s expert understanding and wide worldview approach to the
subject matter, providing logical, broad, and informative perspective to the reader. Comprehensively
reviewing the history of religious change from a global perspective solidified the tenets of the
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argument from the stand point of traditions – useful in cross application to the author’s conclusions.
He also aimed his comments to encourage, perhaps challenge, the Muslim community to “…preserve
the freedom of other faith communities” (p. 94).
Weakness to the article includes conclusions based more on assumptions and perhaps
educated speculation rather than empirical data. The author noted what he believed to be critical
correlating observations, and then extrapolated meaning beyond its original context (p. 95). It could
however be argued that a relevant and meaningful discussion must begin at some time even in the
absence of convincing data for support.
Contributions to Conflict Management
With special attention given to the Middle East in partcular - a hotbed of controversy,
terrorism, and wholesale conflict, progress as posited in this article would perhaps yield more
benefit than one might imagine, given the magnitude of conflict every day extant in the Middle
East alone. Similar principles apply as well to other global cultures. Should success be met in
the getting nations to honestly and sincerely search their own history without prejudice as
prescribed looking for religious roots with conservative and moral implications, it is hoped that
world peace might come closer than ever imagined through effective conflict resolution at a
multi-national level. It is arguable however, that those in charge of promoting hostilities
worldwide might not yet be ready to reliquish control of power yielding to a higher cause of
conformity to altruistic moral obligations consistent with conservative religious values,
regardless of ethnic host.
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References
Helmick, S. J. (2001). Does religion fuel or heal in conflicts? (S. J. Helmick, & R. L. Petersen,
Eds.) Forgiveness and reconciliation: Religion public policy and conflict transformation
(pp. 81-95). Philadelphia, PA: Templeton Foundation Press.
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