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Fighting Words: Religion, Violence, and the Interpretation of Sacred Texts
One of the critical issues in interreligious relations today is the connection, both actual and perceived, between sacred sources and the justification of violent acts as divinely mandated. Fighting Words makes solid text-based scholarship accessible to the general public, beginning with the premise that a balanced approach to religious pluralism in our world must build on a measured, well-informed response to the increasingly publicized and sensationalized association of terrorism and large-scale violence with religion.
In his introduction, Renard provides background on the major scriptures of seven religious traditions―Jewish, Christian (including both the Old and New Testaments), Islamic, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh. Eight chapters then explore the interpretation of select facets of these scriptures, focusing on those texts so often claimed, both historically and more recently, as inspiration and justification for every kind of violence, from individual assassination to mass murder. With its nuanced consideration of a complex topic, this book is not merely about the religious sanctioning of violence but also about diverse ways of reading sacred textual sources.
In his introduction, Renard provides background on the major scriptures of seven religious traditions―Jewish, Christian (including both the Old and New Testaments), Islamic, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh. Eight chapters then explore the interpretation of select facets of these scriptures, focusing on those texts so often claimed, both historically and more recently, as inspiration and justification for every kind of violence, from individual assassination to mass murder. With its nuanced consideration of a complex topic, this book is not merely about the religious sanctioning of violence but also about diverse ways of reading sacred textual sources.
- GenresReligion
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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February 19, 2013
On the whole, helpful essays on a topic of pressing concern today. The presence of violence in various scriptural texts such as the Bible, Koran & Bhagavid-Gita are examined in terms of hermeneutical history and often with thoughts for how we might interpret these texts today. Of special interest to me personally was the examination of the figure of Joseph (son of Jacob) in the Koran as interpreted in the Baha'i tradition, which has deep roots in Islam. I have come to see the Joseph stories as holding prime importance as a witness to Christ as the forgiving victim & to learn of this witness in the Koran has the potential to be an important focus for constructive inter-religious dialogue.
Displaying 1 of 1 review