Abrahamic Faith-Based NGOs: A New Approach to Peacemaking and Development

This thesis examines the new phenomenon of faith-based nongovernmental organizations and their work in peacemaking and development. In our current globalized world, religion has become a heated topic, often times being the cause of international conflict. However, this argument proves that religion, specifically those of the Abrahamic faiths, and which has been used as a means in peacemaking for many years, is now coming to the forefront of providing a strong foundation for NGOs to thrive. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have some of the most popular, successful, and expansive NGOs currently involved with humanitarian aid and peacemaking. This paper goes on to argue that faith-based NGOs are addressing the problem through grassroots initiatives, therefore creating sustainable peace and development practices. Lastly, the argument concludes that faith-based NGOs are imperative to the success of peacemaking and development, and will continue to look to the future in hopes of growing under the current Obama administration