Taming the gods : religion and democracy on three continents / Ian Buruma.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Buruma, Ian.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion and state.

Democracy--Religious aspects.

United States--Religion.

Europe--Religion.

Japan--Religion.

China--Religion.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (143 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For eight years the president of the United States was a born-again Christian, backed by well-organized evangelicals who often seemed intent on erasing the church-state divide. In Europe, the increasing number of radicalized Muslims is creating widespread fear that Islam is undermining Western-style liberal democracy. And even in polytheistic Asia, the development of democracy has been hindered in some countries, particularly China, by a long history in which religion was tightly linked to the state. Ian Buruma is the first writer to provide a sharp-eyed look at the tensions between religion and politics on three continents. Drawing on many contemporary and historical examples, he argues that the violent passions inspired by religion must be tamed in order to make democracy work. Comparing the United States and Europe, Buruma asks why so many Americans--and so few Europeans--see religion as a help to democracy. Turning to China and Japan, he disputes the notion that only monotheistic religions pose problems for secular politics. Finally, he reconsiders the story of radical Islam in contemporary Europe, from the case of Salman Rushdie to the murder of Theo van Gogh. Sparing no one, Buruma exposes the follies of the current culture war between defenders of "Western values" and "multiculturalists," and explains that the creation of a democratic European Islam is not only possible, but necessary. Presenting a challenge to dogmatic believers and dogmatic secularists alike, Taming the Gods powerfully argues that religion and democracy can be compatible--but only if religious and secular authorities are kept firmly apart.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

Introduction

ONE. Full Tents and Empty Cathedrals

TWO. Oriental Wisdom

THREE. Enlightenment Values

Notes

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786612473135

9786612936111

9781282473133

1282473131

9781282936119

1282936115

9781400834204

1400834201

9780691134895

0691134898

OCLC:

609855962