Essay. "The first problem facing one in attempting to write on this topic is the sheer immensity of the task. . . A second and more troubling (sociologically at least) problem has to do with the variety and complexity of relationships that can and do exist between war and religion. . . Some religious value systems (Islam, Judaism) are or appear to be more compatible than others (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity) with the values and the behaviors associated with warfare, but none is completely indifferent to the planned and intended destruction of human life war involves. To the extent that such ambivalence is structured into the belief systems of the major world religions, it offers a distinct challenge to the social scientist and it is the purpose of this paper to develop some of the dimensions of that challenge."