Dying for Heaven by Ariel Glucklich

ON SALE NOW! Browse Inside: http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061430817

Most Americans think of Islam as a radical force, a jihadist religion. But employing religion for political means--especially through the use of religiously inspired violence--is not new, nor limited to Islam. Dying for Heaven argues the provocative thesis that the very best qualities of religion--its ability to make people feel good and bring them together--are in fact its most dangerous.

We are currently involved in an international game of Chicken, and the consequences are potential annihilation. And unlike in the Cold War, this time the winner wont be determined by who has the bigger, faster car, but which driver is willing to sacrifice the most. And that is often determined by the religious beliefs of the contestant.

In todays volatile world, deterrence wont work any longer. So rather than the ignorance, violence, tribalism or hatred of an opposing group, we should be most concerned with their religiously inspired transcendent values. Whether you are a suicide bomber or the leader of a country with nuclear weapons, fervent belief in an afterlife, in a messianic future, or in honor, love and self-sacrifice, makes complete self-annihilation a tolerable--even attractive--outcome to any conflict that threatens your societys way of life.

The Iranian war against Iraq in the 1980s revealed how dangerous the culture of faith, honor and self-sacrifice can be, and the export of this ideology to southern Lebanon and Gaza presages further mischief. When Iran finally does arm itself with nuclear weapons, can it be prevented from using them? Will deterrence work? Can it work in the face of a rationality that favors supreme future joy above ordinary self-interest? And if not, what other ways are there to combat nuclear recklessness compounded by religious devotion in the Middle East and elsewhere? Dying for Heaven addresses and answers these questions with a new understanding of religion, and provides a vision for preventing further religiously instigated violence.

Dying for Heaven: Holy Pleasure and Suicide Bombers—Why the Best Qualities of Religion Are Also Its Most Dangerous
Author: Ariel Glucklich
ISBN: 9780061430817

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Ariel Glucklich
• Dying for Heaven
• Book Trailer
• HarperOne
• HarperCollins
• Islam
• Muslim
• Israel
• Iran
• Suicide Bomber
• Jewish
• Jihad
• Pakistan
• Religion
• Fundamentalist
• Gaza
• Nuclear
• Middle East
• politics

[salemslot777]

brutal ...liar.

[hatooma10]

I really wish you were answering the real question... not just trying to dishonor others beliefs so you feel better about yourself, after you do whatever you do to them. Its called self sacrifice not "self destruction". you are too selfish you wouldnt understand the meaning. Its not "suicidal terrorisim"... its defending what they believe in even if it costs them their life.

No real human being accepts killing of innocents.. no matter what the race and color. but I guess some dont agree!

[crystaldragonwoman]

OK if include Israel and it bomb and deeply religious zionism