In the late twentieth century, fundamentalism has emerged as one of the most powerful forces at work in the world, contesting the dominance of modern secular values and threatening peace and harmony around the globe. Yet it remains incomprehensible to a large number of people. In The Battle for God, Karen Armstrong brilliantly and sympathetically shows us how and why fundamentalist groups came into existence and what they yearn to accomplish. We see the West in the sixteenth century beginning to create an entirely new kind of civilization, which brought in its wake change in every aspect of life -- often painful and violent, even if liberating. Armstrong argues that one of the things that changed most was religion. People could no longer think about or experience the divine in the same way; they had to develop new forms of faith to fit their new circumstances. Armstrong characterizes fundamentalism as one of these new ways of being religious that have emerged in every major faith tradition. Focusing on Protestant fundamentalism in the United States, Jewish fundamentalism in Israel, and Muslim fundamentalism in Egypt and Iran, she examines the ways in which these movements, while not monolithic, have each sprung from a dread of modernity -- often in response to assault (sometimes unwitting, sometimes intentional) by the mainstream society. Armstrong sees fundamentalist groups as complex, innovative, and modern -- rather than as throwbacks to the past -- but contends that they have failed in religious terms. Maintaining that fundamentalism often exists in symbiotic relationship with an aggressive modernity, each impelling the other on to greater excess, she suggests compassion as a way to defuse what is now an intensifying conflict.
About 40 years ago popular opinion assumed that religion would become a weaker force and people would certainly become less zealous as the world became more modern and morals more relaxed. But the opposite has proven true, according to theologian and author Karen Armstrong (A History of God), who documents how fundamentalism has taken root and grown in many of the world's major religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Even Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism have developed fundamentalist factions. Reacting to a technologically driven world with liberal Western values, fundamentalists have not only increased in numbers, they have become more desperate, claims Armstrong, who points to the Oklahoma City bombing, violent anti-abortion crusades, and the assassination of President Yitzak Rabin as evidence of dangerous extremes.
Yet she also acknowledges the irony of how fundamentalism and Western materialism seem to urge each other on to greater excesses. To "prevent an escalation of the conflict, we must try and understand the pain and perception of the other side," she pleads. With her gift for clear, engaging writing and her integrity as a thorough researcher, Armstrong delivers a powerful discussion of a globally heated issue. Part history lesson, part wake-up call, and mostly a plea for healing, Armstrong's writing continues to offer a religious mirror and a cultural vision. --Gail Hudson
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
very faulty:
Fundamentaly flawed. Armstrong makes demonstrably false claims such as "Paul never claimed Christ was God" or "Christ never said he was God". She never deals with the fact the Christ claimed--humbly--to both "Son of God" AND "Son of Man" (Daniel),the Messiah. If you read this book, read also the Kreeft and Tacelli's "Handbook" and other refutations of her historical assertions. And read the Gospels and Paul's letter's (Phil 2:6 for example)carefully seeking truth. Armstrong even goes so far as to say that... more info
Science's Dark Twin:
I enjoyed this book even more than Armstrong's "History of God", if only because far more of the contents were unfamiliar: I would guess that few English-speakers know much about the evolution of Jewish and Islamic "fundamentalisms", or how Shi'ite political thought has changed over time. Once I would have chosen the Death of a Thousand Cuts over lessons on the history of American fundamentalism; but as it's told here even that seems interesting. Two key ideas shape this book: one I found surprising but... more info
A compelling and necessary read:
This book is a fascinating and surprisingly readable history of emergent fundamentalism in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Armstrong traces monotheistic fundamentalism through the 20th century, and details the economic, social, and political circumstances that motivated its leaders, sustained it through generations, and sometimes lead its followers to violence. The latter point is why this book is worth reading. Every day in the news we read about violent, religiously motivated attacks, even here in... more info
Outstanding, Lucid, most helpful:
This is the Go-To text on Fundamentalism in religions. Very insightful, very well written, very understandable. Characteristic performance by a good author.
