Religion and Extremism

Douglas Pratt's book Religion and Extremism cannot come at a more opportune time. Through a painstaking historical analysis Pratt demonstrates beyond doubt that all religions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam, have had a violent past and path, whether one thinks that violence is inherent in religion, or religion has a violent core, or religion, though peaceful, can be instrumentalized as a violent means to achieve secular goals. Pratt forces adherents of all religions humbly to acknowledge this sad fact; like an addict who cannot be healed unless he or she recognizes his or her addiction, so believers cannot work for peace unless they first confess their addiction to violence. This is Pratt's uplifting message that we all need to hear. * Peter C. Phan, The Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University, USA * Alarmed by violent terror in the name of religion the public, media and politicians easily get lost in the terminological morass of radicalisation , fundamentalism and extremism . Douglas Pratt's book provides a necessary, rigorous and accessible interrogation of these concepts and, by identifying a religious absolutism which leaves no space for theological or social diversity, he makes a distinctive contribution to debates at the crossroads of theology, sociology and political science. * Paul Weller, Professor in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK * Conceptually strong, and rich in examples, Pratt's book is an approachable, innovative, sophisticated analysis of contemporary religion, extremism and violence. Arguing persuasively and insightfully that extremism arises from, and can generate deadly consequences when religious exclusivists reject religious and political pluralism, and that radicalisation is a reciprocal, interactive process, Pratt shows that violence indeed begets violence. It deserves to be widely read, cited and included on many syllabi. * Peter Lentini, Founding Director at Global Terrorism Research Centre (GTReC), Monash University, Australia * This thorough, thoughtful study carefully distinguishes various forms of religious fundamentalism and extremism in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. Warning that fear of diversity can lead through reactive co-radicalization to extremist ideologies that legitimate violence, Pratt calls for a religious renewal that affirms each tradition's unique identity while affirming and accepting religious diversity in respectful dialogue. Highly recommended. * Leo D. Lefebure, Matteo Ricci, S.J. Professor of Theology, Georgetown University, USA *