Preface

Abstract

From 23-27 June more than 70 scholars from 20 countries from all over the world gathered in Krushevo
at the Third World Conference for Religious Dialogue and Cooperation, where we met to discuss
the pressing religious conflicts of this world. Religion is often perceived as a problem. The Conference
explored how to make religion a resource for international dialogue and peace. Aware that
we cannot solve all problems, as scholars we believe that creating spaces of dialogue between and
within religions offers valuable opportunities for promoting peace. Religion today is often misused
for political purposes and for supporting wars, while secular ideologies try to exclude religion from
the public sphere. Persecution and discrimination of religious minorities continue in different parts
of the world. Religions are expected to act as a voice for peace, forgiveness, coexistence, tolerance,
and understanding. The essence of religion is to celebrate the creation of the world, not its destruction.
However, religions have produced a divided society, with divided identities, divided education,
divided loyalties, divided worldviews, which may and often does lead to polarization and conflicts.
Instead, religions can promote values that bind and unite, inspire flourishing interreligious relations.