Cruel creeds, virtuous violence: religious violence across culture and history

Abstract

This is an illuminating and objective exploration of the role of religion in violence throughout history and culture. The phrase 'religious violence' often brings to mind dramatic and tragic events - the 9/11 attacks, riots between Hindus and Muslims in India, religious genocide in Africa, and as far back as the Crusades. But, as this illuminating in-depth study shows, violence connected with religion is a phenomenon that encompasses all cultures. Drawing on a wealth of case material, Cruel Creeds, Virtuous Violence presents a balanced and objective examination of the many manifestations of religious violence - including sacrifice, self-mortification, religious persecution, ethno-religious conflicts, and religious war - to reveal why certain kinds of religious ideas and practices contribute to certain types of violence.