Product 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

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Product Details

Publisher	HarperOne
ISBN	0061552011
Features	ISBN13: 9780061552014 Condition: USED - Very Good Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Format	Paperback
Author	Charles Kimball
EAN	9780061552014
Label	HarperOne
Edition	Rev Upd
Dewey Decimal Number	202.118
Studio	HarperOne
Number Of Pages	304
Title	When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs (Plus)
Release Date	2008-02-26
Publication Date	2008-03-01
Manufacturer	HarperOne

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Customer Reviews

Not profound, but not bad

Review by Travis Bow, 2010-07-23

I was required to read this book for school (Senior, College) and got to see Dr. Kimball speak on campus. I was much more impressed with the person than the book. Kimball's position is somewhat vague, and while if you read carefully you can see that he is not against religion per-se, the tone and flow of his writing can give the opposite impression. Worth reading, but only just.

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Highly credible author

Review by Violet L. Weinberg, 2010-04-15

Well researched, scholarly summation of the "red flags" that help you discern the difference between authentic, healthy religiosity and contracted evil extremism.

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Forthright

Review 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.

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When religion becomes evil

Review 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!!

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To the Point

Review 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."

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