ISBN 0-06-050653-9
He is well equipped to do this. A Baptist living in the South — a professor of religion at Wake Forest University — he has dealt with the Middle East for years, including negotiating during the Iran hostage crisis. In that context he met face-to-face with Ayatollah Khomeini. Kimball focuses on Christianity and Islam, the religions with the most adherents, and the two with the most missionary zeal.
Running throughout the book are three questions: Why does religion become evil? What are we to make of Islam? What can we do to prevent the perversion of religion for evil ends?
How does religion become evil? First, there is the issue of absolute truth claims. If we see ourselves as having the truth and other people as living in error, it is but a short step to bringing negative sanctions to bear upon them. What is needed is the humility that realizes that we humans have a limited knowledge of God. Indeed, so great is the majesty of God that all of humanity put together does not know the complete truth about God.
The inability to see religious and scriptural language as metaphorical can create huge problems. The scriptures of the world, including the Bible, can easily be misused by an overly literal interpretation. That is why it was possible for centuries to support the institution of slavery with biblical texts. It is why young Palestinian suicide bombers are videotaped reciting promises of paradise for them and their families.
Kimball also speaks about holy war and includes an outstanding discussion of the move of Christians from pacificism to the “just war” and then to barbaric crusades. He also includes an excellent presentation of a 10-step approach to solve conflict in a nonviolent manner. This is helpful because, unfortunately, believers in religions the whole world over are so willing to go to war for the glory of God.
Islam is included therein. Kimball certainly does not participate in the Islam-bashing of some on the religious and political right in America. Nor does he subscribe to the view that Western culture and Islam must inevitably clash. He understands that jihad means first of all “the struggle to overcome selfish and sinful desires.”
Not that he is uncritical. He raises significant issues about the treatment of women. But perhaps the largest issue he raises is linked to he fact that Islam is designed to govern the whole of life, including the state. Simply put, can there be an ideal Islamic state that will solve the problems confronting much of the Moslem world today? Kimball thinks not. He sees Islam as basically a religion of peace that nurtures its adherents on the path to God, but also as one which has some work to do in coming to terms with the modern world.
How does Kimball suggest that we avoid letting religion become evil? The title of his last chapter says it best: “An Inclusive Faith Rooted in Tradition.” He does not urge any lowest-common-denominator religion. Rather, he sees people, rooted and rejoicing in their own traditions, accepting others and engaging in self-critical thought. Of course, as we know, that is easier said than done.
