Religion and Empire: People, Power, and the Life of the Spirit

by Richard A. Horsley

Horsley brings his considerable skills to bear on the timely questions concerning religious rhetoric and empire-building. How do the teachings of Jesus affect our understanding of the uses of power? How can we understand the invocation of God in modern political rhetoric? These questions and more are explored in order to help readers develop a clearer sense of modern religious and political issues.

Genres: History, Religion

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2003

Reviews

[Sunny :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good argument that leads the reader from the commodification of religion to the US-American mystifying of commodities. You're really brought on a journey in 135 pages (the length of my copy).

I wouldn't say it's an incredibly accessible book; you kind of have to already be on a similar page to follow it completely. Due to the short length and large scope of the argument, some things get brushed over, but there are a substantial amount of notes. There are several dozen academic sources packed into those notes for further reading, varying in scope and lens, which is always great to see!

He makes a compelling and convincing argument that religion and politics were and still are used in tandem to exert control and then rebel against said control, even during the rise of secular societies. As I was reading, there were even more examples of his argument that came to mind. I thoroughly enjoyed this read; even though I was already primed to agree with his argument, it still poked me in places I didn't expect and challenged some beliefs I held.

[Abram Overturf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horsley demonstrates the anti-imperial origins of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in the efficient first half of this work. The second half devotes itself to convincingly arguing that American imperialism is a religion deconstructing our ostensible separation of religion and state with the symbols and rituals of capitalist consumerism and a claimed divine right over the world.

[Rob Vanhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the the thought of Richard Horsley. Seeks to understand how the insight that in the ancient world "religion" was inextricable from power and politics can impact our reading of ancient texts and "religious" movements.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, though short, is not an easy read. I had to read it slowly and let everything sink in, but it was well worth it. Further evidence that West Christianity is very, very far from what it was intended to be. Unfortunately, I'm left wondering what to do about it.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting quick read on the non-spiritual side of religions. Chapters broken down by religion/location. Great chapter on "Christmas" and its imperial origins.