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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
ForthrightReviewed by Mike B, 2009-09-27
A very forthright account of the dangers of religion to the human
condition. There are many fine examples by this person of faith (he
is a Baptist minister) that illustrate how religion can corrode its
members and the society around them. The points are so good that if
you are a person of no faith you likely will remain that way.
The author is convinced (as most of us are) that since 9/11 we must
pay closer attention to what is happening in our religious
communities. Unlike the author I am not convinced that religion can
extricate humanity from the many problems it has within itself. I
feel religion creates boundaries between people. To paraphrase from
a book of Thomas Friedman (`Longitudes and Attitudes') - `I want to
be tolerant, but do you'. I do not get a feeling of toleration when
I am standing beside a Mennonite with a Jesus logo or a Muslim
woman wearing a hajib. - I get a strong feeling of `religious
advertising'.
The author is certainly not one for boundaries or walls - he wants
an exchange of thoughts and ideas between all religions which is
certainly a noble concept, but perhaps idealistic?
Some concepts of religions create boundaries. All religions have a
Heaven (Nirvana) and the opposing dichotomy of Hell. This becomes a
selective process as to which individuals will enjoy one or the
other environment. It is divisive.
Also in the last 200-300 years society has had many scientific and
social advances despite the resistance of religious institutions.
Science and technology have enabled us to explore and travel the
earth. Modern democratic countries have allowed and now encourage
women to have a much more prominent role in society. But in
organized religion, women have been denied any leadership role
(except in a few Protestant sects). If religion wants to be
considered just and fair it must overcome this grievous
shortcoming.
The author continually refers to `sacred texts' - some of which
have been used to justify abominable acts - like suicide and
murder. Why are these texts considered sacred if they advocate
abominations; or conversely; why is a text advocating an evil act
considered sacred?
I am glad that Mr. Kimball is for the secularization of government
- he states repeatedly that theocratic government is a dangerous
concept. In the U.S. there has been increasing infringement of
religious groups in government. In the last two Presidential
election campaigns candidates were repeatedly questioned on their
religious beliefs (whether they believed the Bible). I vividly
remember Hilary Clinton telling a CNN audience what she prayed
for.
If only all religious folk could be like Charles Kimball (or Jimmy
Carter for that matter) religion would be far more tolerable. Mr.
Kimball is most enlightened and searches for the good in all things
- he is a pluralist.
When religion becomes evilReviewed by Beverly F. Lima, 2009-09-08
I ordered this particular book for my son who questions anything to do with religion & what not,& he really enjoyed it!!
To the PointReviewed by Dan Williams, 2009-07-21
Kimball did a good job with this book. Of course due to the topic
there is no way he could exhaust this material. His five points are
accurate, however I would add FEAR. Humans are inherently afraid.
Afraid of the unknown. They crave, seek out religion and a deity to
abate some fear.
Spirituality is free. religion comes with a cost. a cost of
freedom, monetary loss and a loss of indivdualized thinking.
Kimball does a good job. Let us cut him slack on not getting it all
down. Yes, I agree all religions and individuals who follow,"their"
god are not talking about the same deity. how convenient it would
be if that was true.
Spirtiuality found me. Religion was forced upon me. Thank God, pun
intended, I lost my religion and stayed with my spirtuality.
Dan Williams,author of, " Above His Shoulders."
I am in shock!Reviewed by #$%@, 2009-05-11
As a seeker of the truth you have to read and listen to everybodys
arguments and sides. Reverend Charles Kimball has made an honest
exposition trying to save religion from its dark and turbulent
past. With all his knowledge and savvy he tried and tried very hard
to no avail.
Reverend Kimball acknowledges the following propositions:
Harris, Dawkins, Hitchens, and others are right to lay out multiple
ways religion as an institutional force has been and is now linked
with violent, destructive behavior. They present a passionate case
against the dangers of organized religion. They zero in on
theocratic fundamentalists whose attitudes and behaviors are not
too difficult to discern. Many of their key points are valid.
In the end Hitchens, Harris, and Dawkins all offer their clear
vision of the rational truth, which can set us all free from the
collective madness and delusion from which they opine the vast
majority of human beings continue to suffer.
As we have noted, authors like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and
Christopher Hitchens insist that whatever value the religious
traditions may have provided in the past, they have outlived their
usefulness. They argue vigorously that deep loyalty to particular
religious traditions inevitably feeds a kind of tribalism that is
at odds with global cooperation; it is kindling that fuels an
impending conflagration as civilizations clash. Our investigation
lends credence to these concerns if the dangerous and
violence-prone corruptions of religion remain unchecked.
Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and others speak
to and for a substantial minority when they reject virtually all
traditional understandings about God and religion. And they offer
compelling arguments that high moral and ethical standards do not
require belief in God or a religious foundation.
Based on his own writing there is no need for religion except that
of pursuing tradition. On the other hand Reverend Kimball asserts
that, Conversely, blind obedience is a sure sign of corrupt
religion. Beware of any religious movement that seeks to limit the
intellectual freedom and individual integrity of its adherents
Well, if I recall Christianity ask us to have blind faith and blind
obedience to Word of God, which is in The Bible. Therefore Reverend
Kimballs position is a one of circular logic.
After reading this excellent book I find a great writer joining the
rank of the Apologetics in a newly form dimension. One of honest
exposition of historic facts and other peoples remark with a
twisted interpretation trying to ignore the obvious reality of
religion for the sake of tradition, A strong case can and should be
made, however, for the continuing importance of the major religious
traditions. These traditions have served millions of people
extremely well throughout much of recorded history. They contain
time-tested wisdom and provide the frameworks for ethical and legal
systems. For the vast majority of people worldwide, their religious
traditionlike their family, tribe, or nationanchors them in the
world. Religious traditions provide structure, discipline, and
social participation in a community.
My questions for the readers and for Reverend Kimball are the
following:
How are we going to handle all the violence emanated from religion
in the past, present and future?
Are we willing to continue instilling ignorance in the World?
Are we willing to let this fanatical ignorant people to cause more
mayhem in the World?
Dont we have bigger problems that can be handled by ethics and
fairness in the world?
Are you people willing to let socialism remerge in the World?
Religion is a bad meme using good things such as fairness,
integrity, honesty, human dignity, service, growth, patience,
nurturance, and encouragement as bait and hook hiding its self
feeding violence nature!
I do not agree with Reverend Kimballs ideas. However, he wrote an
excellent book that deserves to be read and analyzed.
Why you should keep your faith in religion even "When Religion
Becomes Evil"Reviewed by Stanley Frinak, 2009-05-01
The book was very disappointing because it is mostly the author's subjective opinion about the world's religions. The author is very protective of religion in general and does not really hold them responsible for the evil that they inflicted on the world when they misuse their power. Read the first 10 pages and then skip to page 90 and start reading, the author takes that long before he introduces any evidence that religions have ever done anything evil.
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