Taming the Gods: Religion and Democracy on Three Continents
compare prices
Taming the Gods: Religion and Democracy on Three Continents
by
3.31 of 5 stars

For eight years the president of the United States was a born-again Christian, backed by well-organized evangelicals who often seemed intent on ... read full description


reviews

Oct 20, 2011
Patrick rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Taming The Gods: Religion And Democracy On Three Continents Ian Buruma's latest book is a short treatise that looks at the relationship between democracy and religion in America, Europe, Japan, and China. In recent years, Bururma has written about the attitude of east with the west in Occidentalism and has investigated the clash between liberal Holland and Muslim fanatics in Murder In Amsterdam:The Death of Theo Van Gogh and the Limits of Tolerance. I think these experiences have inspired him to More...
0 comments like
Sep 15, 2011
Ivan rated it: 1 of 5 stars
If one is sufficiently acquainted with historical ideas on democracy it would be entirely possible to skip the first two thirds of the book. The basic premise follows Alexis de Tocqueville in that democracy is a fruit of Divine morality, present and extolled in the Christian Faith, as witnessed by the 'greatest' nation on Earth:)



The analysis of religion and democracy in China is very shallow, literally ignoring all, but the reign of the Qin Shi Huangdi and last 200 years of Chinese history. The More...
0 comments like
Sep 04, 2011
Juha rated it: 5 of 5 stars
In this short and reasoned treatise, Ian Buruma addresses a central issue of democracy, namely the separation of church and state, from a historical, social and political perspective.

The book is divided into three main parts. In the first, Full Tents and Empty Cathedrals, Buruma juxtaposes the experiences in Europe and in America, providing an insightful analysis of what separates—and unites—the old and the new continent, including the role of born-again evangelical Christians in Am More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 17, 2010
Lauren rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is a slim 125 pager that’s a dense combination of political theory and current events. Definitely gave me some food for thought regarding the relationship between religion and politics, but I found the writing style too rooted in academic language and analysis for my taste. Quasi-recommended.
0 comments like
Dec 14, 2011
Yudha added it
like
Nov 16, 2011
Jessica rated it: 2 of 5 stars
like
Dec 08, 2011
Jeff marked it as to-read
like
Nov 09, 2011
Robert rated it: 4 of 5 stars
like
Oct 10, 2011
Rick is currently reading it
like
Oct 02, 2011
Janusz marked it as to-read
like
Sep 26, 2011
Pratimauchil is currently reading it
like
Sep 07, 2011
Michael marked it as to-read
like
Aug 06, 2011
Andreea added it
like
Aug 04, 2011
Karel rated it: 2 of 5 stars
like
Jul 24, 2011
Scott marked it as to-read
like
Jul 10, 2011
Gayla marked it as to-read
like
Oct 27, 2011
Kyle rated it: 3 of 5 stars
like
Jul 01, 2011
Suparna marked it as to-read
like
Jun 28, 2011
Nestor rated it: 4 of 5 stars
like
Jun 01, 2011
Eleanor marked it as to-read
like
May 30, 2011
Jason marked it as to-read
like
Apr 19, 2011
Lindsay marked it as to-read
like
Apr 19, 2011
Bentley marked it as to-read
like
Mar 01, 2011
Adrianne is currently reading it
like
Feb 26, 2011
Faiz marked it as to-read
like
Feb 09, 2011
Sheri marked it as to-read
like
Feb 07, 2011
Kolby rated it: 3 of 5 stars
like
Dec 14, 2010
Samer rated it: 5 of 5 stars
like
Dec 03, 2010
Andrea added it
like
Nov 15, 2010
Mollie marked it as to-read
like