Harper Academic

When Religion Becomes Evil

Five Warning Signs

by Charles Kimball

On Sale: 02/26/2008

Price: $14.99

When Religion Becomes Evil

Five Warning Signs

by Charles Kimball

On Sale: 02/26/2008

Format:

Price: $14.99

About the Book

Religion is indisputably one of the central factors in the current escalation of violence on the global scene, and many argue that it is the impetus behind most problems in the world today. In When Religion becomes Evil, religion and Middle East politics expert Charles Kimball asserts the necessity of distinguishing between “corrupt” and “authentic” forms of religious expression, focusing on five basic corruptions that manifest themselves in each of the major religious traditions. From commanding blind obedience to declaring Holy War, no single faith is exempt from these corruptions, but each has the ability and means within its own wisdom traditions to identify and correct such tendencies.

Charles Kimball is professor of religion and chair of the Department of Religion at Wake Forest University. An ordained Baptist minister who received his Th.D. from Harvard University in comparative religion with specialization in Islamic studies, Dr. Kimball is the author of three books about religion in the Middle East. He lives in Winston-Salem, NC.

“Charles Kimball provides a powerful and even-handed moral analysis of the abuses that are found in all major religious traditions. It is an important reminder that no religion has a monopoly on good — or evil.”

— Carl W. Ernst, Zachary Smith Professor of Religious Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill

Critical Praise

“A wise, perceptive, and fair assessment ... Just the book for today’s and tomorrow’s journey of faith.” — Walter Harrelson, Professor emeritus, Vanderbilt University

“A bold, powerful, truth-telling analysis of the ways in which religions can become destructive.” — Diana L. Eck, author of A New Religious America

“Effectively confronts, analyzes and explores the maddeningly diffuse forms of religious impulse...” — Rev. Ken Sehested, executive director of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America and co-editor of "Peace Primer: Quotes from Christian and Islamic Scripture and Tradition"

“Charles Kimball has uttered a cry that resonates like ‘a fire bell in the night.’ ” — Arthur Hertzberg, Bronfman Visiting Professor of Humanities, New York University

“I cannot imagine a more timely or insightful book for the time in which we live.” — Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

“Dr. Kimball writes insightfully and prophetically... The book will inform and stimulate...” — Bill J. Leonard, Dean, Wake Forest University Divinity School

“Required reading for all who would understand the age in which we live.” — John L. Esposito, author of Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam and What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam

“There are few people as uniquely equipped to speak to our need for understanding world religions and faith.” — Hardy Clemons, Former Moderator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

“Exactly the book that is needed right now.....Clear, passionate, and full of wisdom...” — Kenneth Cracknell, Professor of Theology and Global Studies, Brite Divinity School

“A powerful and even-handed moral analysis of the abuses that are found in all major religious traditions.” — Carl W. Ernst, Zachary Smith Professor of Religious Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill

“A great deal of insight ....” — John Berthrong, Associate Dean for Boston University School of Theology

“Kimball’s clear and steady voice provides a helpful guide...” — Publishers Weekly

“As long as there are writers as relentlessly honest as Kimball, there will always be ground for hope...” — Robert Neralich, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

“[R]eadable, well researched, well written and compelling.” — Mike Smith, EthicsDaily.com

“Extremely informative, well written, and timely. Highly recommended.” — Library Journal

“Well-reasoned and focused.” — Wayne Holst, The [Toronto] Star

“Kimball...displays a fair hand in assessing how the world’s leading religions can be used for both good and evil.” — Baptists Today

“[T]imely and persuasive . . . . deserves to be widely read.” — Fellowship Magazine

“[A] thought-provoking analysis.” — Cecile S. Holmes, Religion News Service

“Kimball is well suited to his task, writing with a perspective forged in experience.” — Chicago Tribune

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Product Details

  • ISBN: 9780061552014
  • ISBN 10: 0061552011
  • Imprint: HarperOne
  • On Sale: 02/26/2008
  • Trimsize: 5.310 in (w) x 8.000 in (h) x 0.680 in (d)
  • Pages: 304
  • List Price: $14.99
  • BISAC1 : RELIGION / General
  • BISAC2 : RELIGION / Buddhism / General (see also PHILOSOPHY / Buddhist)
  • BISAC3 : RELIGION / Comparative Religion
  • BISAC4 : RELIGION / Hinduism / General
  • BISAC5 : RELIGION / Islam / Theology
  • BISAC6 : RELIGION / Judaism / Theology
  • BISAC7 : RELIGION / Christian Theology / General
  • BISAC8 : SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion