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The Destructive Power of Religion: Violence
in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
[ 4 Volumes ] Martin and J. Harold Ellens
"Whether
they fly airplanes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon; blow up
ships, ports, or federal buildings; kill doctors and nurses at abortion
clinics; exterminate contemporary Palestinians; or kill Israeli soldiers
with suicide bombs, these destructive religionists are all shaped by the
same unconscious apocalyptic metaphors, and by the divine example and
imperative to violence. The authors of this book warn that until such
metaphors are removed from the Western psyche, an end to religious
violence in the West will not be possible."
“This work is a
significant achievement and deserves to be in every university and large
public library, as well an in collections on theology and psychology.”–Library
Journal
“How more relevant can this edited four-volume, fifty-essay set entitled
The Destructive Power of Religion (with an advertising testimonial by
Archbishop Desmond Tutu) be in today's situation of worldwide terrorist
attacks and alerts, fundamentalist political and religious jargon from the
left and right, conferences on violence and religion (on a global scale),
and films such as The Passion? This work presents American and
international scholars in critical collaboration and provides textual and
psychological coherence to the plethora of studies on religion and
violence springing up in bookstores weekly....This is a study not just of
the dark, negative side but of the constructive elements of religion
through understanding the history, dominating myths, and pervasive
ambiguity of religious traditions....[a] valuable resource for any
academic library and a must for the public to experience.”–Review
of Biblical Literature
“[A] critical and engaging introduction to the problem of identifying the
various facets of religion's 'dark side'...”–Church and Theology
“These volumes will be relevant for any discipline that deals with myth,
metaphors, narratives, culture, politics, and society in trying to analyze
violence. Any future work on destructive violence and Western religions
will certainly have to begin here.”–Religious Studies Review
“One could hardly suggest a more compelling area in religious studies
these days than the complex relationships between religious beliefs and
violence. A new and beautifully produced collection of over four dozen
essays proposes to address a large and difficult set of questions in the
context of the Abrahamic triad, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Three
considerable strengths are noticeable throughout the collection: solid
biblical scholarship; thorough and respectably critical coverage of a wide
range of topics specific to Christianity; and sensitivity to important
psychological dimensions of the religious legitimation of violence.”–Religion
and the Arts
“With erudition and foresight, this four-volume work offers an unsettling
but thought-provoking examination of the relentless cycle of religiously
motivated violence, initiating a valuable dialogue for those seeking to
expose religion's destructive tendencies while also providing its more
constructive potential to faster peace....[t]his work issues a bold
challenge to religious adherents to confront the destructive power often
associated with religious conviction in the hope of instead celebrating
and embracing the more meaningful, redemptive, and healing power of
religion.”–Journal of Church and State
“This is an ambitious project well realized....[o]f interest to both
academics and religious professionals alike....[I] would recommend
seminary libraries in particular to secure a copy.”–Islam and
Christian-Muslim Relations
“This collection will clearly be controversial....[w]orthy of close
attention....These books seem unique in their attempt by thirty writers to
make sense out of their common religion and from an unusual
viewpoint--that of theology, psychology, and politcs together. Recommended
to libraries for that reason and because of the currency of the overall
topic.”–Reference & User Services Quarterly
Review
"A groundbreaking work with tremendous insight. This will become a
classic." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, 1984
"This is an urgently needed work which comes to us just at the right time
and in the right place. It is a must read for anyone seriously concerned
with the present tensions between the great world religions. . . . This
work shows convincingly and with great force how we are often betrayed by
religious metaphors: those that say we are up against cosmic evil rather
than self-inflicted disaster, metaphors which should instead inspire us to
think of and practice the real meaning of religion: unconditional grace,
fostered by a loving God." - Federal Judge John Feikens Chief Justice
Emeritus, Federal District Court, Southeast Districe of Michigan
"A work that will inform and provide perspective to people anywhere who
are trying to make sense of the outburst of religiously based violence
around the world. . . . These books are helpful to all who want to effect
change." - Martin E. Marty Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Professor
Emeritus, University of Chicago Divinity School. |
