Violence and Religious Change in the Pacific Islands

This Element studies violent behaviour among the inhabitants of the Pacific Islands while the region has been undergoing religious change.

Garry Trompf (Author)

9781009094047, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 August 2023

75 pages
27 x 18 x 0.7 cm, 0.15 kg

This Element considers patterns of violent behaviour among the inhabitants of the Pacific Islands while their vast region has been undergoing religious change, overwhelmingly toward Christianity. Major topics researched are religion-based violent reactions to early intruders (including missionaries); new religious movements resisting unwanted interference (including 'cargo cults'); anti-colonial rebellions inspired by spiritual impetuses both indigenous and introduced; and the persistence of traditional modes of violence (tribal fighting, sorcery and tough punishments) adapted to altered conditions.

1. Background to the Study of Socio-Religious Change in the Pacific
2. Forms of Religious or Religion-related Violence in Modern Pacific History and Affairs
3. Reflections and Recommendations
References.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]