When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs

Description

In this thoroughly revised and updated edition, leading religion and Middle East expert Charles Kimball shows how all religious traditions are susceptible to these basic corruptions and why only authentic faith can prevent such evil. The Five Warning Signs of Corruption in Religion 1. Absolute Truth Claims 2. Blind Obedience 3. Establishing the "Ideal" Time 4. The End Justifies Any Means 5. Declaring Holy War

Charles Kimball is a professor of comparative religion at Wake Forest University. An ordained Baptist minister who received his doctorate 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.

"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 "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.) "[A] thought-provoking analysis."--Cecile S. Holmes, Religion News Service "[R]eadable, well researched, well written and compelling."--Mike Smith, EthicsDaily.com "[T]imely and persuasive . . . . deserves to be widely read."--Fellowship Magazine "A bold, powerful, truth-telling analysis of the ways in which religions can become destructive."--Diana L. Eck, author of A New Religious America "A great deal of insight ...."--John Berthrong, Associate Dean for Boston University School of Theology "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 wise, perceptive, and fair assessment ... Just the book for today's and tomorrow's journey of faith."--Walter Harrelson, Professor emeritus, Vanderbilt University "As long as there are writers as relentlessly honest as Kimball, there will always be ground for hope..."--Robert Neralich, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette "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 "Dr. Kimball writes insightfully and prophetically... The book will inform and stimulate..."--Bill J. Leonard, Dean, Wake Forest University Divinity School "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 "Kimball...displays a fair hand in assessing how the world's leading religions can be used for both good and evil."--Baptists Today "Kimball's clear and steady voice provides a helpful guide..."--Publishers Weekly "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 "Well-reasoned and focused."--Wayne Holst, The [Toronto] Star "Kimball is well suited to his task, writing with a perspective forged in experience."--Chicago Tribune "Extremely informative, well written, and timely. Highly recommended."--Library Journal