Fighting words : religion, violence, and the interpretation of sacred texts

One of the critical issues in interreligious relations today is the connection, both actual and perceived, between sacred sources and the justification of violent acts as divinely mandated. __Fighting Words__ makes solid text-based scholarship accessible to the general public, beginning with the premise that a balanced approach to religious pluralism in our world must build on a measured, well-informed response to the increasingly publicized and sensationalized association of terrorism and large-scale violence with religion. In his introduction, Renard provides background on the major scriptures of seven religious traditions—Jewish, Christian (including both the Old and New Testaments), Islamic, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh. Eight chapters then explore the interpretation of select facets of these scriptures, focusing on those texts so often claimed, both historically and more recently, as inspiration and justification for every kind of violence, from individual assassination to mass murder. With its nuanced consideration of a complex topic, this book is not merely about the religious sanctioning of violence but also about diverse ways of reading sacred textual sources. One Of The Critical Issues In Interreligious Relations Today Is The Connection, Both Actual And Perceived, Between Sacred Sources And The Justification Of Violent Acts As Divinely Mandated. Fighting Words Makes Solid Text-based Scholarship Accessible To The General Public, Beginning With The Premise That A Balanced Approach To Religious Pluralism In Our World Must Build On A Measured, Well-informed Response To The Increasingly Publicized And Sensationalized Association Of Terrorism And Large-scale Violence With Religion. In His Introduction, Renard Provides Background On The Major Scriptures Of Seven Religious Traditions--jewish, Christian (including Both The Old And New Testaments), Islamic, Baha'i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, And Sikh. Eight Chapters Then Explore The Interpretation Of Select Facets Of These Scriptures, Focusing On Those Texts So Often Claimed, Both Historically And More Recently, As Inspiration And Justification For Every Kind Of Violence, From Individual Assassination To Mass Murder. With Its Nuanced Consideration Of A Complex Topic, This Book Is Not Merely About The Religious Sanctioning Of Violence But Also About Diverse Ways Of Reading Sacred Textual Sources.--p. [4] Of Cover. Exegesis And Violence : Texts, Contexts, And Hermeneutical Concerns / John Renard -- A Brief History Of War In The Hebrew Bible And The Jewish Interpretive Tradition / Reuven Firestone -- Annihilate Amalek : Christian Perspectives On 1 Samuel 15 / Bernhard A. Asen -- Violence In The New Testament And The History Of Interpretation / Leo D. Lefebure -- Finhās Of Medina : Islam, The Jews, And The Construction Of Religious Militancy / Michael A. Sells -- The Baha'i Tradition : The Return Of Joseph And The Peaceable Imagination / Todd Lawson -- Justifiable Force And Holy War In Zoroastrianism / Jamsheed K. Choksy -- The Failure Of Allegory : Notes On Textual Violence And The Bhagavad Gita / Laurie L. Patton -- Words As Weapons : Theory And Practice Of A Righteous War (dharam Yudh) In Sikh Texts / Pashaura Singh. Edited By John Renard. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. One of the critical issues in interreligious relations today is the connection, both actual and perceived, between sacred texts and the justification of violent acts as divinely mandated. Unfortunately, the connection has been relatively little studied in a way that makes solid text-based scholarship accessible to the general public. This volume begins with the premise that a balanced approach to religious pluralism in our world must build on a measured, well-informed response to the increasingly publicized and, sadly, sensationalized association of terrorism and other forms of large-scale violence with religion. The introduction provides background on the major scriptures of seven religious traditions. Eight main chapters then explore aspects of the interpretation of selected facets of scripture in seven traditions: Jewish, Christian (including chapters on Old as well as New Testaments), Islamic, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh. Focus is on sacred texts often claimed, both historically and more recently, as inspiration for and justification of every kind of violence, from individual assassination to mass murder. A balanced approach to this complex topic also means that this is not merely a book about the religious sanctioning of violence, but about diverse ways of reading sacred texts "One of the critical issues in interreligious relations today is the connection, both actual and perceived, between sacred sources and the justification of violent acts as divinely mandated. Fighting Words makes solid text-based scholarship accessible to the general public, beginning with the premise that a balanced approach to religious pluralism in our world must build on a measured, well-informed response to the increasingly publicized and sensationalized association of terrorism and large-scale violence with religion. In his introduction, Renard provides background on the major scriptures of seven religious traditions--Jewish, Christian (including both the Old and New Testaments), Islamic, Baha'i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh. Eight chapters then explore the interpretation of select facets of these scriptures, focusing on those texts so often claimed, both historically and more recently, as inspiration and justification for every kind of violence, from individual assassination to mass murder. With its nuanced consideration of a complex topic, this book is not merely about the religious sanctioning of violence but also about diverse ways of reading sacred textual sources."--Page 4 of cover One of the critical issues in interreligious relations today is the connection, both actual and perceived, between sacred sources and the justification of violent acts as divinely mandated. Fighting Words makes solid text-based scholarship accessible to the general public, beginning with the premise that a balanced approach to religious pluralism in our world must build on a measured, well-informed response to the increasingly publicized and sensationalized association of terrorism and large-scale violence with religion.

In his introduction, Renard provides background on the major scriptures of seven religious traditions—Jewish, Christian (including both the Old and New Testaments), Islamic, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh. Eight chapters then explore the interpretation of select facets of these scriptures, focusing on those texts so often claimed, both historically and more recently, as inspiration and justification for every kind of violence, from individual assassination to mass murder. With its nuanced consideration of a complex topic, this book is not merely about the religious sanctioning of violence but also about diverse ways of reading sacred textual sources. Content: Preface 1. Exegesis and Violence: Texts, Contexts, and Hermeneutical Concerns John Renard 2. A Brief History of War in the Hebrew Bible and the Jewish Interpretive Tradition Reuven Firestone 3. Annihilate Amalek: Christian Perspectives on 1 Samuel 15 Bernhard A. Asen 4. Violence in the New Testament and the History of Interpretation Leo D. Lefebure 5. Finhas of Medina: Islam, "The Jews," and the Construction of Religious Militancy Michael A. Sells 6. The Baha'i Tradition: The Return of Joseph and the Peaceable Imagination Todd Lawson 7. Justifiable Force and Holy War in Zoroastrianism Jamsheed K. Choksy 8. The Failure of Allegory: Notes on Textual Violence and the Bhagavad Gita Laurie L. Patton 9. Words as Weapons: Theory and Practice of a Righteous War (Dharam Yudh) in Sikh Texts Pashaura Singh Glossary of Names and Technical Terms Contributors Index Wrangle with some of the finest renegades, outlaws and dangerous desperados in the wild, wild west. Saddle up for excitement with these riveting tales of the Old West that appeared in the pages of the most popular pulp fiction magazines of the 1930's and 1940's. "With the flair of a Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey."--True WestThis Collection includes: International Book Awards Winners: Devil's Manhunt ; Death Waits at Sundown, International Book Awards Finalists: Baron of the Coyote River ; Cattle King for a Day as well as Six-Gun Caballero, The Toughest Ranger, The Magic Quirt, Under the Diehard Brand, Shadows from Boot Hill and Branded Outlaw Wrangle with some of the finest renegades, outlaws and dangerous desperados in the wild, wild west. Saddle up for excitement with these riveting tales of the Old West that appeared in the pages of the most popular pulp fiction magazines of the 1930s and 1940s. This Collection includes: International Book Awards Winners: Devil's Manhunt and Death Waits at Sundown; International Book Awards Finalists: Baron of the Coyote River and Cattle King for a Day as well as Six-Gun Caballero, The Toughest Ranger, The Magic Quirt, Under the Diehard Brand, Shadows from Boot Hill and Branded Outlaw. Provides the major scriptures of seven religious traditions. This title features chapters that explore various aspects of the interpretation of scripture in seven traditions: Jewish, Christian (including chapters on Old as well as New Testaments), Islamic, Baha'i, Zoroastrian, Hindu and Sikh.