The end of the 20th century and the start of the the 21st century have brought too many questions concerning religion and violence in a new and urgent way. What are the relationships between religion and violence, peace and community' Is violence at the heart of religion' How are truth, justice, mercy, atonement and reconciliation to be sought' How do we care for the most vulnerable, the victms' How can we work towards a global ethic of peace' What is the role of religion in a seculat state' This volume of essays confronts these complex issues in the foundations of religions and their sacred texts, in their traditions and in their practices in the world today. With deep compassion and insight the writers in this collectionuand they come from Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Pacificuseek to face religion's paradoxical legacies and on-going sites of struggle. JOnathan Inkpin, who edited this volume worked as the Coordinator of the Decade to Overcome Violence for the National Council of Churches in Australia.