Resa Aslan, 176 pgs, Random House, 2010, $16.
Subtitled “Confronting religious extremism in the age of
globalization.”
Aslan outlines the historic similarities shared by extreme
wings of major religions. He illustrates that none have
consistently occupied a higher ground where seeking peace and understanding
might be the ultimate goal.
Exhorting themselves into Cosmic battles, extremists bolster their cause
with the words “God is on our side,” or “We are fighting God’s war.” Frequently the cause has been simply to
emerge victorious. The reward
awaits in the next life: to hell with those we defeat. Often there is no end game – no: “What
shall we do on earth once we accomplish our mission?”
In the twenty-first century, America finds herself engaged
in a so-called Cosmic War pitted against those whose motivation may not appear
rational. (What rationale for war
is rational?) Our strategy? To fight such zealotry with zealotry of
our own.
A better strategy?
Aslan makes a good case for refusing to engage. History, he says, shows that the middle
will win out over the extreme, so long as someone doesn’t stumble into becoming
the extreme’s foil. The book offers
historic perspective to present a balanced
view of the hazards when veering too far to the left or right in our
beliefs. No religious group, no
matter how righteous their underpinnings appears immune.
Coincidentally, I read Aslan’s work as the shut-down debacle
in Washington was playing out. I
couldn’t help viewing things happening in our nation’s capital through the lens
Dr. Aslan provided. Apparently
political groups can fall into the same zealtrous traps.
Good read, although the occasional passage must be waded
through. See your local,
independent book retailer.
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