Is There Really Religious Conflict?

Introducing the Lesson:

Is It a Religious Conflict?

When thinking of the history of religious conflict, many would immediately think of the Crusades of Medieval Times. However, many would argue that those conflicts over a couple hundred years were not actually religious but more about resources, fueled by printed propaganda from Popes and Kings or fought as a defense against meddling foreigners. Maybe no conflict has ever been a religious conflict or maybe religion is the root of creating opponents.

We are going to debate current conflicts that are being described as religious. You are going to take one of four positions in a region of the world and you will research and present your side. You are trying to prove that your position is what originally caused the conflict, fuels the conflict, or allows it to continue.

The four positions are:

1. The conflict continues because of religion.
2. The conflict continues because of resources.
3. The conflict continues because of local, national or international media riling up the people.
4. The conflict continues because of reaction to another nation's meddling or lack of meddling in that area's affairs.

The groups and their regions of the world to choose for examination are:

Taliban in Afghanistan

• Resource: Facing Fears: Afghanistan on the Brink by Mellissa Fung

Buddhists in Tibet

• Resource: Tibet Burning by Jeffrey Bartholet

Jews and Muslims in Israel and Palestine

• Resource: From the US to Israel: Follow the Money by Uri Blau
• Resource: The Handshake and the Fists by Rich Lord

Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir

• Resource: Kashmir: The Rise of a Hard Faith by Tariq Mir

Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq

• Resource: Fractured Lands by Scott Anderson

ISIS efforts in the Middle East

• Resource: The Yazidis: After the Trauma by Emily Feldman

Muslims and Christians in Nigeria

• Resource: Tracking Boko Haram: On the Trail of Terror by Jason Motlagh

Muslim Rohingya and Buddhists in Burma

• Resource: Statelessness: A Human Rights Crisis by Greg Constantine

What you will accomplish and in what order:

• First, you will do extensive research on your region's conflict.

• Second, you will analyze your research through the lens of your position.

• Third, you will begin to draft a position paper arguing your position and supported by your researched evidence.

• Fourth, you will write a 3-4 page paper that includes in-text citations and a bibliography (including at least 6 sources, 2 of which are student databases) using MLA format. You will use 12 pt Times New Roman font.  

• Fifth, you will prepare a visual presentation backed up with an oral argument explaining your position and facts to present to the class.

• Sixth, you will continue to support your position using your research in a debate against the other three positions in front of the class.

Sample Outline:

Introduction:

This should describe a bit about the actual conflict. Kind of like what you would read in an encyclopedia about it. Just get the facts out so that the reader understands the basics.

Then move into your position and how it is the most, not the only, but the most important factor that contributes to the cause, escalation or continuation of the conflict.

State your thesis, which is the sentence that argues the position that will guide you throughout the paper

Body:

Explain the conflict in a neutral way just to give the history/background.

Explain one side of the conflict according to your position (media, foreign, religion or resources).

Explain the other side of the conflict according to your position. (media, foreign, religion or resources).

Conclusion:

Make sure you have completely convinced the reader of your thesis sentence.

Grading Guide: