When Religion Becomes Lethal

Whether it's terrorists in the Middle East who claim inspiration from Islam and express their hatred for the West, or the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, or the violence done by the religious extremists in the United States, it seems religion too often leads to lethal results.

Charles Kimball, the author of When Religion Becomes Evil, builds on his bestselling book to offer further insight on a difficult topic. When Religion Becomes Lethal answers key questions and provides a reliable framework for understanding why religious belief---especially in the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam---so often leads to violence and what constructive steps can be taken to chart a more hopeful future.

Kimball, an expert on comparative religion, has a profound understanding of the often-troubled history between the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim descendents of Abraham. He examines a litany of compelling questions that challenge us today including: Why are the turbulent religious forces now seemingly more threatening than ever before? How representative are violent extremists operating in the name of Islam? What do the large majority of Muslims really want? Is or should America be a Christian nation? What is a Christian nation? Is peace between Israel, the Palestinians, and neighboring Arab and Muslim states really possible? These questions perplex many of us as daily headlines remind us all how even small numbers of religious zealots can wreak havoc on a massive scale.

When Religion Becomes Lethal offers a reliable, insightful, and useful way of thinking about and engaging the critical issues of religion and politics.