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Is religion to blame for global violence? Our current cultural moment has many critics of faith who enthusiastically believe that religion is unhealthy for humanity.Yet from a pastoral perspective, I am enlivened every day knowing that people of faith across the world are providing hope, healing, and help for millions.

This year’s Trinity Institute conference, “Religion and Violence: Untangling the Roots of Conflict,” promises to be a valuable tool in our continued self-examination and reflection as religious people.We all have a responsibility in this day and age to engage in serious efforts to understand the other, to have a part in diminishing the boundaries between us. In some measure, we stand with the critics of religion in the desire to end violence, racism, and other expressions of hatred. But we find the strength and will to do so in the faith communities that inform our life and actions.

We are religious people committed to following the path Jesus took. And so we will likely have a role in finding ways to end the bloodshed and pain this day and in all the days to come.

--The Rev. Dr. James Herbert Cooper, Rector

This article appears in the Religion and Violence issue of Trinity News.