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When Religion Becomes Lethal: The Explosive Mix of Politics and Religion in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
A compelling look at today's complex relationship between religion and politics In his second book, bestselling author Charles Kimball addresses the urgent global problem of the interplay between fundamentalist Abrahamic religions and politics and moves beyond warning signs (the subject of his first book) to the dangerous and lethal outcomes that their interaction can produce. Drawing on his extensive personal and professional knowledge of, experience with and access to all three traditions, Kimball's explanation of the multiple ways religion and politics interconnect within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will illuminate the problems and give readers a hopeful vision for how to chart a safer course into a precarious future.
Kimball is the author of When Religion Becomes Evil, one of the most acclaimed post 9/11 books on terrorism and religion Reveals why religion so often leads to deadly results The author has scholarly knowledge and expertise and extensive personal experience with the peoples, cultures, and leaders involved Readable and engaging, this book gives a clear picture of today's complex political and religious reality and offers hope for the future.
Kimball is the author of When Religion Becomes Evil, one of the most acclaimed post 9/11 books on terrorism and religion Reveals why religion so often leads to deadly results The author has scholarly knowledge and expertise and extensive personal experience with the peoples, cultures, and leaders involved Readable and engaging, this book gives a clear picture of today's complex political and religious reality and offers hope for the future.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2011
About the author
Charles Kimball
25 books12 followersDr. Charles Kimball is professor of comparative religion in the Department of Religion and the Divinity School at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. During the 2006 fall term, he was the Rita and William Bell Visiting Professor at The University of Tulsa. Dr. Kimball is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and holds the M.Div. degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. An ordained Baptist minister, he received his Th.D. from Harvard University in the comparative religion with specialization in Islamic studies.
Dr. Kimball's courses at Wake Forest include "Introduction to Religion," "Religions of the World," "Conceptions of the Afterlife," and "Islam." He is a frequent lecturer in universities and church-related settings as well as an expert analyst on issues related to the Middle East, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in the United States.
Before joining the Wake Forest faculty in 1996, Dr. Kimball taught for six years at Furman University where he also served as the Director for International Education. From 1983-1990 he was the Director of the Middle East Office at the National Council of Churches, based in New York. He has made more than 35 visits to the Middle East and worked closely with Congress, the White House and the State Department during the past 20 years.
His articles have appeared in a number of publications, including Sojourners, The Christian Century, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe. He is the author of four books, including When Religion Becomes Evil (HarperSanFrancisco, 2002). When Religion Becomes Evil was named one of the "Top 15 Books on Religion for 2002" by Publishers Weekly and one of the top ten books of the year by the Association of Parish Clergy. It has been published in Swedish, Indonesian, Korean and Danish translations. His three other books are: Striving Together: A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relations (Orbis Books), Religion, Politics and Oil: The Volatile Mix in the Middle East (Abingdon Press), and Angle of Vision: Christians and the Middle East (Friendship Press).
Since the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Dr. Kimball has been interviewed by more than 500 TV and radio stations as well as major newspapers and broadcast outlets throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Australia and South Africa.
Dr. Kimball's courses at Wake Forest include "Introduction to Religion," "Religions of the World," "Conceptions of the Afterlife," and "Islam." He is a frequent lecturer in universities and church-related settings as well as an expert analyst on issues related to the Middle East, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in the United States.
Before joining the Wake Forest faculty in 1996, Dr. Kimball taught for six years at Furman University where he also served as the Director for International Education. From 1983-1990 he was the Director of the Middle East Office at the National Council of Churches, based in New York. He has made more than 35 visits to the Middle East and worked closely with Congress, the White House and the State Department during the past 20 years.
His articles have appeared in a number of publications, including Sojourners, The Christian Century, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe. He is the author of four books, including When Religion Becomes Evil (HarperSanFrancisco, 2002). When Religion Becomes Evil was named one of the "Top 15 Books on Religion for 2002" by Publishers Weekly and one of the top ten books of the year by the Association of Parish Clergy. It has been published in Swedish, Indonesian, Korean and Danish translations. His three other books are: Striving Together: A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relations (Orbis Books), Religion, Politics and Oil: The Volatile Mix in the Middle East (Abingdon Press), and Angle of Vision: Christians and the Middle East (Friendship Press).
Since the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Dr. Kimball has been interviewed by more than 500 TV and radio stations as well as major newspapers and broadcast outlets throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Australia and South Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 4, 2013
Though I am a practicing pagan, I have always found the study of religion fascinating. Religion is the single most influential things in most people's lives. It defines who they are, where they live, where they work, and whom they marry. I studied comparative religion in college, and continue to read extensively on the subject.
Charles Kimball's "When Religion Becomes Lethal" has an inflammatory title but an uplifting message. It should be required reading for anyone who cares about the influence of religion in politics. Kimball calls upon both his extensive academic knowledge and personal experience (including his diplomatic involvement during the Iran Hostage Crisis) to present a balanced look at the current problems facing the three religious communities and how those problems can be turned into opportunities for understanding.
The book provides detailed insight into the formation and early development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and discusses how the three religious communities were able to co-exist and flourish at various points in history. Though presented with an uplifting message, Kimball does not pull punches when he discusses the very real threats posed by extremists. He touches on Evangelicalism in the U.S, Creationism, Zionists, 9/11, the history of the Iran-Iraq conflict, and other hot button topics with a surprising degree of clarity and neutrality.
The author argues that the early religious leaders used their holy texts to guide their decisions, whereas modern religious leaders use their holy texts to justify decisions they have already decided upon. The distinction is important but often overlooked. As a man of faith, Kimball does not insist that individuals take their beliefs out of their decision-making. In fact, he argues that it is necessary for people to rely on their faith to guide their actions. However, he says the danger comes when individuals try to apply what was considered acceptable thousands of years ago to modern situations.
One of Kimball's key points is that, in the case of all three of the major religions, the prophets were not so much speaking to the future but rather were directly addresses the specific issues of the day. They were looking at the actual situations of the time and applying the teachings of their respective faiths to the situation. Prophets were never called upon to look into the future, but to help people apply their faith to the actual circumstances of the time and place they found themselves in.
When Peter tells slaves to obey their masters, for example, he was not making a blanket justification for slavery across all time and space. He was addressing the specific relationships between slaves and masters at the time, which were actually highly regulated and much different than our modern understanding of slavery. Kimball argues that it is not enough to just read your religion's holy text. You must also study the history of the time, as well as the culture of the period, to understand those verses in the context in which they were spoken.
"When Religion Becomes Lethal" is an eloquent and honest discussion of the real problems facing the modern society. But it also offers a real blueprint for overcoming those problems through education, understanding, and compassion.
Charles Kimball's "When Religion Becomes Lethal" has an inflammatory title but an uplifting message. It should be required reading for anyone who cares about the influence of religion in politics. Kimball calls upon both his extensive academic knowledge and personal experience (including his diplomatic involvement during the Iran Hostage Crisis) to present a balanced look at the current problems facing the three religious communities and how those problems can be turned into opportunities for understanding.
The book provides detailed insight into the formation and early development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and discusses how the three religious communities were able to co-exist and flourish at various points in history. Though presented with an uplifting message, Kimball does not pull punches when he discusses the very real threats posed by extremists. He touches on Evangelicalism in the U.S, Creationism, Zionists, 9/11, the history of the Iran-Iraq conflict, and other hot button topics with a surprising degree of clarity and neutrality.
The author argues that the early religious leaders used their holy texts to guide their decisions, whereas modern religious leaders use their holy texts to justify decisions they have already decided upon. The distinction is important but often overlooked. As a man of faith, Kimball does not insist that individuals take their beliefs out of their decision-making. In fact, he argues that it is necessary for people to rely on their faith to guide their actions. However, he says the danger comes when individuals try to apply what was considered acceptable thousands of years ago to modern situations.
One of Kimball's key points is that, in the case of all three of the major religions, the prophets were not so much speaking to the future but rather were directly addresses the specific issues of the day. They were looking at the actual situations of the time and applying the teachings of their respective faiths to the situation. Prophets were never called upon to look into the future, but to help people apply their faith to the actual circumstances of the time and place they found themselves in.
When Peter tells slaves to obey their masters, for example, he was not making a blanket justification for slavery across all time and space. He was addressing the specific relationships between slaves and masters at the time, which were actually highly regulated and much different than our modern understanding of slavery. Kimball argues that it is not enough to just read your religion's holy text. You must also study the history of the time, as well as the culture of the period, to understand those verses in the context in which they were spoken.
"When Religion Becomes Lethal" is an eloquent and honest discussion of the real problems facing the modern society. But it also offers a real blueprint for overcoming those problems through education, understanding, and compassion.
August 17, 2014
Like most people I know, my busy life does not give me opportunities to research, experience, and begin to understand our complex world... And the "explosive mix of politics and religion in Judaism, Christianity and Islam" is one of those areas in which I constantly feel like I need a better understanding. This summer of 2014 has been particularly challenging. Through this book, Charles Kimball has gone a long way toward mitigating my deficiencies. He begins with historical explanations of the development of the three religions including the diverse sects within those religions, continues with perspectives on contemporary events that often are informed by his personal knowledge of leaders and situations, and concludes with both a warning regarding the dangerous fundamentalist extremists of all three religions and a call for hope and action that we might achieve a world of harmony within diversity. Read this book.
June 20, 2021
In this book, Charles Kimball goes through each of the Abrahamic religions and their interpretations used to justify violence and religious intolerance, while simultaneously centering interpretations of these religions that condemn extremist views, and instead espouse interfaith dialogue, peace, and democratic values. If you are interested in peace in the Middle East, combating radical Christian fundamentalism in the US, or helping to build a more pluralistic society, you should read this book.
January 1, 2014
Kimball's review of the history of the religious families of Sarah and Abraham is very informing. He was able to change how I think about modern day issues and religious/political movements. It is a book that I will keep for reference in the future.
February 5, 2014
A heavy read, he writes in a very scholarly manner which can be off putting to some readers. Otherwise it is a must read for anyone interested in the middle east.
April 2, 2025
This book was researched heavily and you could really tell the author knew what he was talking about and wanted to talk about it. However this book was just too dense for me at times. So many thoughts and words I just lost track of what I was reading. （σ｀・∀・´）σ
January 25, 2019
Great information, but a bit tedious.
April 12, 2025
very thorough !
August 9, 2014
So what is going on with ISIS? with Israel and Gaza? with the Muslims, Christians, and Jews in our very troubled nations? How do our religious beliefs drive our governments? In this complex religious and political world of many different beliefs, Charles Kimball shows us the commonalities of our beliefs, how they differ, and most insightfully, how the extremists in every belief system are threatening our freedoms. He has lived in and studied the Near East for many years. He is an ordained Baptist minister and teaches religion at the University of Oklahoma. Only with an understanding of others can we live together respectfully. I highly recommend this book. The only problem was his hearty endorsement of Greg Mortensen and his programs (3 Cups of Tea author), but this was published before that expose'. I would mark this book as required reading.
May 14, 2019
My friend, Jane W, sent me this book after hearing Kimball speak in her town. I think Kimball does a great job with presenting and thoughtfully discussing the history and context of current Middle East struggles, involving Jews, Christians, and Moslems. I read it once, and then I read it again with a study group--there is a lot to absorb, especially for those of who are weak on the culture, history, and politics of those three monotheistic religions. We Christian Americans have always need to have a greater understanding of the "other" traditions, but especially after 9/11.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews