SUPERNATURAL BELIEF AND THE EVALUATION OF FAITH-BASED PEACEBUILDING

Religion Peacebuilding

There is very little research on professional evaluation1 of faith-based peacebuilding, despite the existence of a variety of efforts over centuries to promote peace within many faith traditions. Therefore, this briefing paper will first address pertinent concepts and principles related to belief in the supernatural that, to varying degrees, influence all faith-based actors. Secondly, it will address the application of these conceptions to evaluation practice. This will inform guidance for peacebuilders and evaluators, both religious and secular, working in faith-based contexts, which we refer to synonymously as “faith-based peacebuilding” or “religious peacebuilding.”