Faith-Based War: From 9/11 to Catastrophic Success in Iraq

by T. Walter Herbert

Overview

The American invasion of Iraq was largely governed by faith-based policy. The "shock and Awe" strategy, alongside a grossly mismanaged occupation, led to the loss of American lives. Faith-Based War presents an analysis of the imperialist Christian militarism behind the Bush Administration. America’s self-perception as God’s Chosen is examined and its catastrophic results detailed. The book offers an ethical, political and theological perspective on the perversion of Christian teaching behind the war in Iraq and the moral culpability of the American empire.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845531614
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/08/2009
Series:	Religion and Violence
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

T. Walter Herbert teaches American literature and culture at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and has published extensively on issues of religion, cultural imperialism, and sexual politics, especially in the work of Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne. His most recent book is Sexual Violence and American Manhood.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Faith-Based War 1. American Blindspot 2. Defending God’s Chosen 3. Limitless Divine Sanction 4. The Fire of Freedom 5. Drinking the Kool Aid 6. Avenging Angel 7. Six-gun Saviors 8. Moral Clarity and Moral Collapse 9. A Theology of Torture Coda: Hooded Man

Editorial Reviews

"A fascinating and richly perceptive blend of social, ethical, political, theological, and historical analysis on the moral problem of American empire. Showing the relevance of political theology, it builds to a stunning meditation on the contradictions of Christian empire." – Gary Dorrien, Columbia University, USA

"Devastating in its honesty, entirely convincing in its argument and universal in its reach. The analysis of ‘America the Beautiful’ as national symbol and ideological tool is fascinating, the lessons drawn from the consequences of moral luxury born of religious delusions, false innocence and the denial of culpability are instructive far beyond the borders of the United States … essential reading." – Allan Boesak, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

From the Publisher