When Religion Becomes Evil

About this book

Five critical warning signs reveal when religious devotion turns destructive--and how authentic faith provides the antidote.In this thoroughly revised and updated edition, leading religion and Middle East expert Charles Kimball shows how all religious traditions are susceptible to these basic corruptions and why only authentic faith can prevent such evil.Drawing on decades of experience in comparative religion, the text examines how theological certainty and political coercion turn shared traditions toward violence. Kimball analyzes historical flashpoints across global faiths, tracking the recurring patterns that arise when rigid dogma overrides compassion.The Five Warning Signs of Corruption in Religion1. Absolute Truth Claims2. Blind Obedience3. Establishing the "Ideal" Time4. The End Justifies Any Means5. Declaring Holy War World Religions: Investigates how major traditions--from biblical monotheism to classical Hindu and Buddhist practice--share foundational ethics yet remain vulnerable to sectarian corruption. Fundamentalism: Details how apocalyptic doctrines, charismatic authority figures, and selective scriptural prooftexting systematically strip adherents of individual critical thinking. Case Studies: Analyzes real-world crises across eras, including the tragedy at Jonestown, Aum Shinrikyo's Tokyo subway attack, the medieval Crusades, and violent clashes over sacred ground in Ayodhya. Theology: Identifies authentic spiritual correctives within each tradition, showing how the Golden Rule and an embrace of religious pluralism dismantle the impulse toward holy war.