Factors of Religious Violence and a Path to Peace: A Study of the 16th Century Anabaptists - Radical Protestant Reformation, Apocalypticism, Melchioite Leaders, Munster Rebellion, Christian Doctrine

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this report deals with religiously motivated violence, which is and always will be a relevant topic. To address and effectively counter contemporary violent groups, it is important to investigate similar historic groups. This thesis attempts to answer the research question: "During the Radical Reformation, why did some Anabaptist groups accept the use of violence while others did not, and how did the movement evolve to pacifism?" To answer this question, this study utilizes a mixed methodology of case study analysis and social network analysis of Anabaptist leaders during the 16th century. This thesis argues that violent ideology is largely a function of three factors: charismatic leadership, isolation, and apocalypticism. The interaction of these factors led to the emergence of Anabaptist groups that embraced the use of violence. However, groups' internal characteristics can also lead them away from violence. In the case of the Anabaptists, social proximity assisted leaders with a counter-message to speak effectively to violent ultra-radical factions. The goal of this thesis is to identify characteristics of religious groups that may signal the potential for future violence, while also providing insight into which leaders may be capable of redirecting groups that have become violent.

CHAPTER I * INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE * A. EXAMINING RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE THROUGH THE LENS OF 16TH CENTURY ANABAPTISM * B. THEORY AND METHODS * C. OUTLINE FOR REMAINING CHAPTERS * CHAPTER II * THE REFORMATION AND THE ORIGINS OF ANABAPTISM * A. THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION * 1. Historical Framing * 2. Early Reformers: Wyclif, Hus, and Erasmus * 3. The Protestant Reformers * B. AN OVERVIEW OF RADICAL REFORMATION * C. THE ORIGINS, TERM, AND FRAMING OF ANABAPTISM * 1. Origins * 2. Term. * 3. Framing * CHAPTER III * VIOLENT LEADERSHIP * A. THE IMPORTANCE OF ANABAPTIST LEADERSHIP * B. THE MELCHIOITE LEADERS * 1. Melchior Hofmann * 2. Jan Matthys * C. LEADERSHIP AND INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE * 1. The Munster Rebellion * 2. Jan Van Geel: The Old Cloister of Bolsward and Amsterdam's City Hall * 3. Jan van Batenburger * D. CONCLUSION * CHAPTER IV * THEORY AND SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS * A. THEORY * 1. Charismatic Leadership * 2. Isolation * 3. Apocalypticism * 4. Combination of Three Factors * B. SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS * 1. Data * 2. Analysis * C. CONCLUSION * CHAPTER V * A CHANGE OF COURSE * A. THE GROUND WORK * 1. Obbe Philips * 2. David Joris. * 3. Dirk Philips * 4. Menno Simons * a. Menno and Violence * b. Explanation of Menno's Success * c. Gap in Melchiorite Leadership * d. Foundation of Christian Doctrine * e. Menno Simons's Social Proximity * B. SUMMARY * CHAPTER VI * CONCLUSION * A. RESULTS OF ANALYSIS * B. RECOMMENDATIONS * C. FINAL REMARKS