false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167879922m/27309.jpg 27309 12 About 40 years ago popular opinion assumed that religion would become a weaker force and people would certainly become less zealous as the world became more modern and morals more relaxed. But the opposite has proven true, according to theologian and author Karen Armstrong (<I>A History of God</I>), who documents how fundamentalism has taken root and grown in many of the world's major religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Even Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism have developed fundamentalist factions. Reacting to a technologically driven world with liberal Western values, fundamentalists have not only increased in numbers, they have become more desperate, claims Armstrong, who points to the Oklahoma City bombing, violent anti-abortion crusades, and the assassination of President Yitzak Rabin as evidence of dangerous extremes.<p> Yet she also acknowledges the irony of how fundamentalism and Western materialism seem to urge each other on to greater excesses. To "prevent an escalation of the conflict, we must try and understand the pain and perception of the other side," she pleads. With her gift for clear, engaging writing and her integrity as a thorough researcher, Armstrong delivers a powerful discussion of a globally heated issue. Part history lesson, part wake-up call, and mostly a plea for healing, Armstrong's writing continues to offer a religious mirror and a cultural vision. <I>--Gail Hudson</I> 2229866 2000 The Battle for God total:626|5:174|4:266|3:152|2:27|1:7| 626 2451 1091 80 3 7 false false Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2003 Sun Sep 09 19:53:11 -0700 2007 Sun Sep 09 19:54:02 -0700 2007
If I could, I would give Armstrong's book 3½ stars because it *is* an excellent source of information dealing with fundamentalist-like religious sects from Columbus' time and on. Armstrong writes eloquently and her material is well...more...]]> 5 1 false false Thu May 10 09:37:37 -0700 2007 Thu May 10 09:42:53 -0700 2007 more...]]> 4 0 false false Fri Jan 09 07:35:34 -0800 2009 Fri Jan 09 07:48:19 -0800 2009 Perhaps it is mo...more...]]> 5 0 false false Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Sat Jan 10 13:03:04 -0800 2009 Sat Jan 10 13:12:28 -0800 2009 more...]]> 5 1 false false Fri Jun 01 16:48:37 -0700 2007 Fri Jun 01 16:56:11 -0700 2007 more...]]> 5 1 false false Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2001 Mon May 28 14:14:31 -0700 2007 Mon May 28 14:14:34 -0700 2007 more...]]> 5 1 false false Mon Dec 29 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Sun Oct 26 19:03:06 -0700 2008 Mon Dec 29 15:30:37 -0800 2008 3 0 false false Thu Jul 23 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Thu Jul 23 18:02:38 -0700 2009 Thu Jul 23 18:10:28 -0700 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Sun Dec 28 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Thu Dec 11 05:45:04 -0800 2008 Sun Dec 28 07:44:28 -0800 2008 more...]]> 5 0 false false Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2001 Tue Jun 02 15:05:35 -0700 2009 Mon Aug 31 07:09:44 -0700 2009 Her knowledge on the major religions of the world is profound! It took me several months to read and attempt to absorb this book and is one that I should re-read aga...more...]]> 4 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2004 Tue Jan 27 19:12:39 -0800 2009 Sat Apr 11 17:19:58 -0700 2009 The History of God has brilliantly analyzed the rise of fundamentalism as a reaction to the emphasis on logos of the Enlightenment as opposed to my...more...]]> 4 0 false false Sat Apr 05 06:36:24 -0700 2008 Sat Dec 29 12:17:48 -0800 2007 Sat Apr 05 06:27:05 -0700 2008 History of God, and only just a month or so ago picked this one back up ag...more...]]> 5 0 false false Sat Dec 15 15:18:39 -0800 2007 Sat Dec 15 18:32:59 -0800 2007 Former nun and A History of God iconoclast Armstrong delves deeply once again into the often violent histories of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, this time exploring the rise of fundamentalist enclaves in all three religions. Armstrong begins her story in an unexpected, ...more...]]> 5 0 false false Tue May 12 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Sun Mar 08 20:50:31 -0700 2009 Thu May 14 07:41:52 -0700 2009 1 more...]]> 5 0 false false Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Sat Feb 07 23:32:37 -0800 2009 Sat Feb 07 23:35:19 -0800 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Mon Oct 06 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Aug 25 16:10:58 -0700 2008 Mon Oct 06 11:31:58 -0700 2008 more...]]> 5 0 false false Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Thu Dec 20 10:59:12 -0800 2007 Thu Dec 20 11:03:31 -0800 2007 more...]]> 5 0 false false Tue Jun 10 13:40:05 -0700 2008 Tue Jun 10 13:43:17 -0700 2008
Armstrong is a philosopher and a historian. . . and a good writer, too. Oh, she once was a nun! Is there no end to this woman's abilities?

This book is particularly good. She explores the history of fundamentalism. Her basic argument is that, in times...more...]]> 5 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Thu Mar 26 14:04:59 -0700 2009 Thu Mar 26 14:10:01 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Wed Nov 05 15:12:22 -0800 2008 Wed Nov 05 15:21:54 -0800 2008 more...]]> http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=27309