Burying the Sword: Confronting Jihadism with Interfaith Education

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AuthorHouse, Feb 9, 2017 - Religion - 194 pages
Burying the Sword: Counteracting Jihadism with Interfaith Education This book analyzes the historical and political context in which various forms of violent extremism (jihadism) have emerged in the Middle East, Europe, and in Africa since 9/11/2001. The growth of the jihadism can be attributed in part to the oppressive regimes of the Middle East which have curtailed the democratic impulses of their youth. Alternative youth movements such as we saw in the Arab Spring can serve as a source of inspiration and model for renewal of these regions. The book also analyzes the role that technology can play in organizing future youth movements and serve as part of an interfaith educational program that has already been initiated in Kenya. New models of interfaith education in public and private schools throughout Africa are needed to counteract the growth of extremist ideologies among the youth of this region.

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About the author (2017)

Gerald Grudzen has taught courses in Comparative Religion, Philosophy and the Humanities For the past 19 years for the University of Phoenix and the past 12 years for San Jose City College. In addition he presently serves as President of Global Ministries University which provides Online theological and interfaith education courses and degrees for students and faculty located throughout the world. He earned his PhD in the history of Christianity and Islam from Columbia University and holds two theological degrees from the Maryknoll School of Theology. Grudzen was awarded a Templeton Foundation grant for development of a curriculum in the field of religion and science which was published as Spirituality and Science: Greek, Judeo-Christian and Muslim Perspectives. For the past six years Gerald and Marita Grudzen have developed an interfaith training seminar In Kenya cosponsored by Global Ministries University and known as Paths to Peace Kenya.

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