World News
Religion called a powerful force for peace
Published: August 30, 2006
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- While many view religion as "one of the chief bad guys" behind current conflicts, religions can be "incredible tools" for peace, said Maryann Cusimano Love, a professor of politics at The Catholic University of America. "Religion is an important motivator," she said. "It is an important vocalizer of symbols, of language, of values, in ways that secular institutions find difficult to do. And that can be used for good or evil." Cusimano Love was one of three panelists in a round-table discussion convened by Catholic News Service Aug. 21 to look at terrorism and war and peace issues five years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Also on the panel were Jesuit Father John Langan, a professor of Catholic social thought at Georgetown University, and Franciscan Father Louis V. Iasiello, president of Washington Theological Union, who recently retired as chief of Navy chaplains.
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