Belief and Bloodshed: Religion and Violence across Time and Tradition

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Belief and Bloodshed: Religion and Violence across Time and Tradition

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Overview

Intended for students as well as scholars of religion and violence, Belief and Bloodshed discusses how the relationship between religion and violence is not unique to a post-9/11 world_it has existed throughout all of recorded history and culture. The book makes clear the complex interactions between religion, violence, and politics to show that religion as always innocent or always evil is misguided, and that rationalizations by religion for political power and violence are not new. Chronologically organized, the book shows religiously motivated violence across a variety of historical periods and cultures, moving from the ancient to medieval to the modern world, ending with an essay comparing the speeches of an ancient king to the speeches of the current U.S. President.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742558243
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/23/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

James Wellman is associate professor in the Comparative Religion Program at the University of Washington.

1 Introduction: Religion and Violence: Past, Present and Future Part 2 The Ancient and Medieval World Chapter 2 Dismemberment, Creation, and Ritual: Images of Divine Violence in the Ancient Near East Chapter 3 Making Memory: Ritual, Rhetoric, and Violence in the Roman Triumph Chapter 4 Taming the Beast: Rabbinic Pacification of Second Century Jewish Nationalism Chapter 5 Violent Yearnings for the Kingdom of God: Münster's Militant Anabaptism Chapter 6 Imperial Christianity and Sacred War in Byzantium Chapter 7 Founding an Empire of Sacrifice: Innocent Domination and the Quaker Martyrs of Boston, 1659-1661 Part 7 The Modern World Chapter 8 Holy Culture Wars: Patterns of Ethno-Religious Violence in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century China Chapter 9 Femicide as Terrorism: The Case of Uzbekistan's Unveiling Chapter 10 Monks, Guns and Peace: Theravada Buddhism and Political Violence Chapter 11 Avoiding Mass Violence at Rajneeshpuram Chapter 12 "Obliterating an Idol of the Modern Age": The New Iconoclasm from the Twin Buddhas to the Twin Towers Chapter 13 Is War Normal for American Evangelical Religion? Chapter 14 On Political Theology, Imperial Ambitions, and Messianic Pretensions: Some Ancient and Modern Continuities

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Editorial Reviews

Belief and Bloodshed has a definite advantage over similar ones in that it offers a fairly global and historical perspective on its subject. ...All those interested in the nexus of religion and violence - either from a purely academic standpoint or with practical intentions toward the reclamation of faith from its historical and lamentable darker tendencies - would be well served by this important book.

Encyclopedia Of Arkansas History and Culture

This cross-disciplinary group of scholars provides fascinating studies across historical periods and religious traditions - all centered around the crucial theoretical point that religious group identities both promote solidarity and can facilitate violence. An important contribution to a timely and urgent conversation.

Rhys H. Williams

Global in scope and acutely sensitive to local manifestations of religious violence in ancient and modern times, this is the best anthology on religion and violence available today. No one interested in the relationship between religion and violence can afford to ignore this intelligent and well-rounded discussion.

Hector Avalos

The case studies in this interesting volume show that religion and violence have been associated throughout history and around the world. From the ancient Near East to 20th century China and contemporary Thailand, violent acts have been committed in the name of religion. Drawing on diverse traditions and theoretical perspectives, this lively volume enlarges our understanding of this dark attraction between bloodshed and belief.

Mark Juergensmeyer

Of the many volumes published on religious violence in the last few years, few rise to the level of Belief and Bloodshed.... A definite advantage over similar ones in that it offers a fairly global and historical perspective on its subject, rather than focusing on the monotheistic traditions and the modern age, as is popular....All those interested in the nexus of religion and violence—either from a purely academic standpoint or with practical intentions toward the reclamation of faith from its historical and lamentable darker tendencies—would be well served by this important book.

Ploughshares Magazine

Belief and Bloodshed has a definite advantage over similar ones in that it offers a fairly global and historical perspective on its subject. ...All those interested in the nexus of religion and violence - either from a purely academic standpoint or with practical intentions toward the reclamation of faith from its historical and lamentable darker tendencies - would be well served by this important book.

Encyclopedia Of Arkansas History and Culture - 2008

This cross-disciplinary group of scholars provides fascinating studies across historical periods and religious traditions - all centered around the crucial theoretical point that religious group identities both promote solidarity and can facilitate violence. An important contribution to a timely and urgent conversation.” —Rhys H. Williams, University of Cincinnati, Editor, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

“The case studies in this interesting volume show that religion and violence have been associated throughout history and around the world. From the ancient Near East to 20th century China and contemporary Thailand, violent acts have been committed in the name of religion. Drawing on diverse traditions and theoretical perspectives, this lively volume enlarges our understanding of this dark attraction between bloodshed and belief.” —Mark Juergensmeyer, professor emeritus of global studies and sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara

“ Belief and Bloodshed has a definite advantage over similar ones in that it offers a fairly global and historical perspective on its subject. ...All those interested in the nexus of religion and violence - either from a purely academic standpoint or with practical intentions toward the reclamation of faith from its historical and lamentable darker tendencies - would be well served by this important book.” —2008, Encyclopedia Of Arkansas History and Culture

“Of the many volumes published on religious violence in the last few years, few rise to the level of Belief and Bloodshed.... A definite advantage over similar ones in that it offers a fairly global and historical perspective on its subject, rather than focusing on the monotheistic traditions and the modern age, as is popular....All those interested in the nexus of religion and violence-either from a purely academic standpoint or with practical intentions toward the reclamation of faith from its historical and lamentable darker tendencies-would be well served by this important book.” —2008, Ploughshares Magazine

“Global in scope and acutely sensitive to local manifestations of religious violence in ancient and modern times, this is the best anthology on religion and violence available today. No one interested in the relationship between religion and violence can afford to ignore this intelligent and well-rounded discussion.” —Hector Avalos, Iowa State University

From the Publisher

Belief and Bloodshed: Religion and Violence across Time and Tradition

Belief and Bloodshed: Religion and Violence across Time and Tradition

Paperback(New Edition)

Paperback(New Edition)

Related collections and offers

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

Related collections and offers

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews