If you want a relativly thorough review of the Psy of Religon as a sub-discipline to religious studies look at David Wulff''s _Psychology of Religion_, which is a text book on the topic that came out around the late 1980s. Remember this book came out at the very start of the neurpsychology 'revolution' (at the time only _Synzygy_ journal had anytining on neuro-psych or neuro-phil). As for religions being used as a tool of propaganada, I am not familiar with that take in the psych of relgion at all. But I suspect that you can find something in French post-structuralism as represented by Lacan, Kristeva and the like. My guess is, however, in the end you might want to look at a communications approach to religion.

Jessica,

I would imagine that it's difficult to find any books fitting your criterion: 1) that take the angle that religion is used as a tool of propaganda and 2) without "attacking" in some way the religion that is being used for propaganda. I have found that those with perspectives in how religion is "used" for propaganda purposes typically have a very critical stance toward the religious beliefs.

However, here are some books that deal with your topic, although one is about the "Middle East" of the past and the other about Medieval Christendom. Neither deal with modern uses of religion.

1) McKenzie, Steven L. King David: A Biography. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. This book explores the Old Testament narratives about David as propaganda and I found it deeply insightful. I give a summary of the book here: http://tinyurl.com/phpqkte

2) Katherine Ludwig Jansen, The Making of the Magdalen: Preaching and Popular Devotion in Later Middle Ages. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2000. This book explores how hagiography about Mary Magdalen developed and how it was used by different groups to "empower" people - including in Medieval politics. I review the book here: http://tinyurl.com/nvj68gl

3) For the the broadest possible overview of "the psychology of religion," which will include overviews of classic interpretations of religion which inevitably include treatments of how religion is used to gain power (for example, Marxism) the following books have received decent reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Religion-Classical-Contemporary-Developments/dp/0742560228/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395267504&sr=1-1

It is a reworking of his older book which has more reviews and has been used more in the past: http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Religion-Littlefield-Quality-Paperbacks/dp/0822630362/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395267712&sr=1-2

This would just be a starting point, however. You could use the footnotes to branch out into primary sources.

Hope that helps some,

Bradley

There is Publications of Betsa EStephano, Robert Benedicty and Thom Sicking

Marc,

thank you, I will read the book, as a general introduction to the topic and its background. I want to also focus on materials more "fresh" in this era, because since the 80's the international environment has changed and a number of sources of conflict dissipates.