Roman Catholics and Shi'i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics

This timely work explores two influential religious traditions that might seem to have little in common: Twelver Shi'i Islam and Roman Catholicism. With the worldwide rise of religious fundamentalism, it is imperative that religious movements such as Christianity and Islam begin working harder to understand one another's history and beliefs. Myths and misunderstandings continue to prevail, and observers tend to focus on the differences between the two faith systems. Without denying these differences, the authors of this book reveal a number of interesting linkages between Roman Catholicism and Twelver Shi'ism. They compare the histories of the two faiths, consider parallels between important figures in each, and highlight the doctrinal, structural, and sociopolitical similarities they share. Balanced in tone and carefully researched, the book helps explain the essence of both traditions while enriching our understanding of each. There are an estimated 140 million Twelver Shi'is in the world today. The highest percentages live in Persian Gulf countries, including Iran and Iraq, and in Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. Sizable numbers also inhabit Pakistan, India, and Turkey. The largest Christian denomination, Roman Catholicism is present across the globe, though its population of more than one billion people is concentrated in North and South America and in Europe. The Authors Of This Book Reveal A Number Of Interesting Linkages Between Roman Catholicism And Twelver Shi'ism. They Compare The Histories Of The Two Faiths, Consider Parallels Between Important Figures In Each, And High-light The Doctrinal, Structural, And Sociopolitical Similarities They Share. The Authors Also Discuss The Importance Of A Holy Family And Divine Law In Both Traditions. The Book Helps Explain The Essence Of Both Traditions While Enriching Our Understanding Of Each. It Wrestles With Issues Such As The Relationship Between God And Humanity, The Continuum Between Life And Death, The Tension Between War And Peace, The Gaps Between Rich And Poor, The Significance Of Religious Ceremony, The Role Of Redemptive Suffering, The Relationship Between Religion And Politics, And The Role That Religious Systems Such As Catholicism And Shi'ism Can Play In Addressing The Problems Of A World In The Midst Of Fundamental Transformation.--jacket. Roman Catholicism And Twelver Shiʻism -- The Story Of The People Of The House -- Sacred Actors And Intercessors -- Redemptive Suffering And Martyrdom -- Catholic Mystics And Islamic Sufis: The Confluence Of Experience -- Law And State -- Authority, Justice, And The Modern Polity. James A. Bill & John Alden Williams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [171]-177) And Index. "The authors of this book reveal a number of interesting linkages between Roman Catholicism and Twelver Shi'ism. They compare the histories of the two faiths, consider parallels between important figures in each, and high-light the doctrinal, structural, and sociopolitical similarities they share. The authors also discuss the importance of a holy family and divine law in both traditions.". "The book helps explain the essence of both traditions while enriching our understanding of each. It wrestles with issues such as the relationship between God and humanity, the continuum between life and death, the tension between war and peace, the gaps between rich and poor, the significance of religious ceremony, the role of redemptive suffering, the relationship between religion and politics, and the role that religious systems such as Catholicism and Shi'ism can play in addressing the problems of a world in the midst of fundamental transformation."--BOOK JACKET. This work explores two influential religions that might seem to have little in common: Twelver Shi'i Islam and Roman Catholicism. It compares the histories of the two faiths, considers parallels between important figures in each, and highlights the similarities they share. Profiles the Twelver Shi'i Islam and Roman Catholic religions, comparing the histories of each to identify largely unknown parallels between both faiths while citing their practicioners' responsibilities in a world experiencing a rise in religious fundamentalism. In this study, we seek to compare one tradition of Christianity with one tradition of Islam.