Sacred pathways to peace and harmony: Assessing the role of contemporary religious movements in peace-making and peacekeeping

Abstract

Religion has played a significant role in shaping human nature at both individual and societal levels, exerting positive as well as negative influences on human civilization and global existence. Historically, religious movements have demonstrated the capacity to both originate and sustain conflict as well as foster peace within societies and nations. However, change is also intrinsic to religion, and contemporary religious movements have undergone significant transformation from traditional and modernized perspectives, increasingly functioning as agents for the cultivation of inner and outer peace. Accordingly, this qualitative study evaluates the utility of contemporary religious movements in peace-making and peacekeeping through a contextual and thematic analysis approach. While traditional religious movements initially emerged with humanistic orientations, they have often negatively affected peace and harmony by contributing to racism, identity-based divisions, and extremism across religious contexts. In contrast, contemporary religion has gradually withdrawn from its traditional exclusivist utility and now operates as a mediator that enriches individual and social well-being through a shared value system oriented toward secular living. Contemporary religion emphasizes common ethical principles and shared faith beyond rigid boundaries, enabling individuals to engage across religious traditions and pursue spirituality through inclusive religious practices. As a result, religion-driven conflicts have diminished in contemporary expressions, and present religious engagement contributes meaningfully to the development of both inner and outer peace, strengthening peace-making and peacekeeping efforts within today’s globalized community.