The Battle for God: A History of FundamentalismIn 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. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 6
Page 92
... northern states during the 1820s , after the Second Great Awakening . Christians started to work for a better world . They campaigned against slavery and liquor , and to end the oppression of marginalized groups . Many of the Millerites ...
... northern states during the 1820s , after the Second Great Awakening . Christians started to work for a better world . They campaigned against slavery and liquor , and to end the oppression of marginalized groups . Many of the Millerites ...
Page 137
... northern and southern states in apocalyptic terms . Northerners believed that the con- flict would purge the nation ; soldiers sang of the " glory of the coming of the Lord . " Preachers spoke of an approaching Armageddon , of a battle ...
... northern and southern states in apocalyptic terms . Northerners believed that the con- flict would purge the nation ; soldiers sang of the " glory of the coming of the Lord . " Preachers spoke of an approaching Armageddon , of a battle ...
Page 174
... Northern Baptist Convention in 1920 , Curtis Lee Laws defined the " fundamentalist " as one who was ready to regain territory which had been lost to Antichrist and " to do battle royal for the fundamentals of the faith . " 24 Riley went ...
... Northern Baptist Convention in 1920 , Curtis Lee Laws defined the " fundamentalist " as one who was ready to regain territory which had been lost to Antichrist and " to do battle royal for the fundamentals of the faith . " 24 Riley went ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
achieve Agudat American Appleby eds Arabic Ayatollah became become believed Bible British century Chicago and London Christian conservative create culture declared divine doctrine Egypt Egyptian Enlightenment established ethos Europe European faith Falwell Faqih felt fundamentalists God's Gush Gush Emunim Haredim Hasidim Hasidism Hidden Imam holy human Husain Ibid ideology insisted Iran Iranian Israel Israeli jahiliyyah Jewish Fundamentalism Jews jihad Judaism Kabbalah Keddie Khomeini Kook Kookists Koran Land leaders liberal lives logos madrasahs Majlis Mamluk Marranos Messianism Middle East modern world movement Muhammad mujtahids Mulla Sadra Muslim mystical myth mythical mythos Ottoman practical premodern Prophet Protestant Qutb Rabbi radical rational reform regime Religion and Politics religious religious Zionists Revolution sacred Sadat Satan scientific Scott Appleby secular secularist seemed sense shah Shariah Shariati Shiah Shiism social society spiritual Tehran tion Torah traditional truth ulema ummah United vision West Western women yeshiva York Zionist