Karen Armstrong

Britain’s foremost scholar of world religion Karen Armstrong sets out to debunk the argument that religion has been the cause of all major wars in history. In Fields of Blood, she tackles the relationship between religion and violence and looks at how different cultures and faiths can co-exist peacefully. She looks at medieval crusaders, modern jihadists, the pacifism of Buddha and the vision of Jesus, arguing that the underlying reasons for war often had little to do with religion.

Armstrong spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun before going to university and then becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster. Her books include A History of God, The Case for God and Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. She is a winner of the TED prize and holder of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal.

Supported by Ian and Carol Sellars.