Dangerous Religious Ideas: The Deep Roots of Self-Critical Faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Unabridged)
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4.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Reveals how faith traditions have always passed down tools for self-examination and debate, because all religious ideas—not just extremist ones—can cause harm, even as they also embody important moral teachings.
Scripture’s abiding relevance can inspire great goodness, such as welcoming the stranger and extending compassion for the poor. But its authority has also been wielded to defend slavery, marginalize LGBTQ individuals, ignore science, and justify violence. Grounded in close readings of scripture and tradition in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, religious scholar Rachel Mikva shows us that the Abrahamic religions have always been aware of their tremendous power both to harm and to heal. And so they have transmitted their sacred stories along with built-in tools—interpretive traditions—to do the necessary work of taking on dangerous religious ideas and fostering self-critical faith.
By exploring the themes of Scripture, Election, Reward and Punishment, Mikva examines how the interpretive methodologies of these religions have identified and grappled with their perilous power and positive potential. Many readers presume that their understanding of scripture’s meaning is absolute, forgetting how these sacred texts and the history of interpretation have valued multiple perspectives and recognized ongoing rhythms of change. It’s not a modern phenomenon to debate the nature of truth, hold space open for doubt, value humility, and question our capacity to know things—especially about God and God’s will—with certainty. In fact, none of the traditions could remain vital or thrive together without a sustained practice of self-critique. Dangerous Religious Ideas reframes the way we talk about faith to create a space where public discussion of religion is more constructive, nuanced, and socially engaged.
Customer Reviews
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
A well-researched, we’ll-argued critique of the most dangerous ideas commonly found in Judaism, Christianity & Islam, followed by an appeal to transcend these ideas by embracing more self-critical approaches to faith using methods already found in each tradition. The book is not an attack on religion. It is told from a pro-religious perspective. What it does attempt to do is help the reader salvage and expand their own religious world-view by focusing on aspects of each of these traditions that have proven harmful (or even deadly), and then provide them with numerous historical solutions that have corrected (or at least improved) these problems.
‘Dangerous Religious Ideas’ is essential reading for anyone interested in learning more about the history of religion. It is unflinching in its honesty, and covers a wide spectrum: both historically and intellectually. That being said, it is probably more useful as a tool for furthering interfaith dialogue within (or between) these faith traditions than as an introduction to any of the religions examined in the book by someone, like myself, who is approaching these beliefs as an outsider. I found the historical examples provided by Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva painted a very sobering picture of our shared human history- a picture that does not inspire much hope in me that humanity will become more loving or compassionate any time soon. As the book makes painfully clear, often the most harmful and the most helpful aspects of each religion seem to arise from the same streams and can’t be neatly separated.
I did, however, find it encouraging that numerous historical examples were provided throughout the book of individuals who sought to heal the divisions and improve interfaith dialogue (although this usually appeared to represent more of a minority or fringe view rather than a common or consensus position). I’m also somewhat encouraged that there has been a concerted effort in the last few decades by members of each of these faith traditions to take a more nuanced and respectful approach to other religions, although it’s clear there is still a lot of work to be done before religion is the force for good Rabbi Mikva believes it has the potential to be.
This is a truly remarkable book that takes great pains to be respectful and fair- but one that is not afraid to be brutally honest about the many ways that religious ideas have been used by each of these traditions to consolidate power, to oppress the “other”, and to harm the vulnerable in the name of God.
Highly recommended!