Religion: A Missing Component of Professional Military Education PKSOI Paper | Page 10

religions and religious actors operating in conflict affected areas as well as those influencing peace operations from outside. And, this understanding must take
into account the overall complexity of religious faith
and practice present in people’s daily lives.
Hostilities involving religion are at a six-year
high.5 On a global scale, religious groups and actors
are increasingly present in the public square; while
some pursue peace, others foster violence. Contrary
to the promise of the secularization thesis,6 religion is
not in decline, it is growing, primarily throughout the
Global South, and its influence in society is broad and
deep; especially as it regards conflict and violence.
And, during the past century the influence of religion,
primarily Christianity and Islam, on politics is at its
highest point.7 Society has become post-secular.8 No
longer is the secularization of modern society a fait
accompli. The secularization thesis that proposed the
passing of religion as societies modernized has proved
incorrect. The need to ensure successful and sustain X