Book Review: Religious Responses to Violence: Human Rights in Latin America Past and Present. Edited by Alexander Wilde

Abstract

This volume of essays emerged from the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University in Washington, DC. The central theme of these essays is to understand "how Churches and individuals were motivated by their religious beliefs, particularly in the form of constructive agency to mitigate violence." The authors also examine "a range of societies throughout Latin America to identify commonalities as well as contrasts" (xv). The first part of the book focuses on the historical work of the church since the 1970s, and the second half examines the current issues that Latin America is facing.This book has much to offer. Featuring scholars from different disciplines, it presents a wonderful account of historical events and analysis of what Latin Americans had experienced during the political and social turbulence of the region from the 1970s to the present times. It describes how violence infiltrated into the social, political, and cultural lives in the region and in the church's efforts to respond to the repression. The authors all take a critical approach to describe the process of the religious groups, so the individual articles describe the different tensions that existed within the church. This approach of transparency and historical analysis helps educators and researchers understand the influence of violence within the theological, social, and political lives of Latin Americans. From the revolutionary leaders like Father Camilo Torres from Colombia to the creation of peace commissions, the churches have had a central role in the construction of democracy in the region. Thus, the authors highlight the importance of the process that the religious groups went through in Latin America which have helped shape their perspectives in addressing social justice issues in the region.These essays highlight the tremendous efforts that are a necessary read for anyone interested in understanding the Latin American approach to human rights. The book engages both human rights activists as well as scholarly readers. It presents accounts and details that rarely would be accessible in one book. Even though this book is an edited volume, the topics complement each other and are relevant to anyone working on this issue today.