Book Comment: When Religion Becomes Evil

     Kimball, Charles, When Religion Becomes Evil (New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2008)

     In his book, When Religion Becomes Evil, Charles Kimball is talking more about human corruption of religion than about religion.  He points out the danger signs which indicate that a religious movement could descend into violent and destructive activities and gives concrete examples to make his points.  And, he makes the sad point that religion, while vitally important to millions of people, has not overall caused their behavior to be demonstrably different from that of non-religious people.  Religious people (including Christians) have committed heinous crimes in the name of their deities.

     The warning signs Kimball discusses are:

1. Absolute truth claims

2. Blind obedience to a charismatic leader

3. Trying to force world events to a desired conclusion

4. The end justifies the use of any means

5. Declaring holy war 

     Kimball shows a few biases in his book:  he goes to great lengths to stress how peaceful Islam is;  he dismisses Biblical literalists as ignorant; and he sees Christianity as merely one religion among many.

     When Religion Becomes Evil is an interesting read and has many valid points to make about the temptation to declare one's religious views as the only correct way and to take the step into trying to force others to agree.  The one major criticism I have for the book is that it steps dangerously close to , and perhaps steps over, the line into relativism and denial that there is any Absolute Objective Truth.