Breaking the Circle: Positive Potential of Religion in Transformation of Intractable Conflicts

Intractable conflicts are characterized by their longevity, high complexity, and resistance to traditional strategies of conflict resolution. According to the estimations of Diehl and Goertz (2011), five percent of all conflicts reach the stage of an impasse, with very little space for positive evolution. Despite their small number, the intractable conflicts account for the disproportionally high percentage of losses in terms of human lives and resources. Since intractable conflicts frequently focus on moral beliefs and identity issues, religion is often seen as a negative factor that either creates or deepens group animosities. The positive potential of religion, however, is still not sufficiently explored. This paper will analyze the comparative advantages that religions (as systems) and religious leaders (as actors) could have in the transformation of such kind of conflicts. The focus will be placed on three interconnected aspects: the psychological aspect (development of positive emotions, primarily hope), the sociological aspect (promotion of inclusive identities and tolerance), and the political aspect (moral mediation). The paper will be based on empirical data collected in 2015 and 2016, during two waves of interviews with Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina