"Forgiveness" (Matthew Ichihashi Potts)

TITLE: Forgiveness: An Alternative Account
AUTHOR: Matthew Ichihashi Potts
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2022, (288 pages).
 

Forgiveness is the necessary bridge over troubled waters. It is the glue for broken relationships. It is the essence of human relationships. Yet, when the pains inflicted defy the theories of forgiveness, that becomes a totally different thing. "Why forgive?" becomes "Why me?" For deep hurts, it might even lead to "Why Should I Forgive?" It has been said that it is hard for people to say that they are sorry. While that might be true for prideful people, it might even be more so for people who have been deeply hurt. There are many types of hurt. There are many different ways to respond to hurt. There are also many different reasons why people find it hard to forgive even when it is essential. Some think that forgiveness is just about forgetting all that has been done. Some take the theological angle that our forgiveness ought to reflect that of Christ. Unfortunately, that can be misguided in the sense that it forgets our humanness. Yes, we are called to be divine but we are also human, needing help from day to day. I suppose the end is clear we need to forgive just like Christ. It is the process that is the problem. This is where Potts's book is helpful. It presents a human side of how we can eventually forgive honestly and meaningfully. More importantly, we need Christ in order to fully forgive. 

"After Disbelief" (Anthony T. Kronman)

TITLE: After Disbelief: On Disenchantment, Disappointment, Eternity, and Joy
AUTHOR: Anthony T. Kronman
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2022, (184 pages).
 

There are two popular positions with regard to religious belief. One believes in God and the human need for Divine help. The other position relies on self and human autonomy. These are the two common stands between theists and atheists. Is there a middle ground? Calling himself a "born-again pagan," author-professor Anthony Kronman claims to have discovered this middle way. In this thought-provoking book that begins from a position of a disillusioned world, he guides readers through some of his presuppositions of neither religion nor atheism, to land into an area of existentialism and the ongoing pursuit of happiness. Pondering about death and eternity, he asks a probing question: "How is it possible to come closer to a goal that is always at the same impossible distance?" Finding that both religion and humanism fail to answer this question adequately, he describes his own version of god that sits somewhere between partial acceptance and partial rejection of both types of beliefs. He shows hand by declaring his method of inquiry: "by reason alone." This is via the individual's reasoning to find out the right idea of God. Immediately in the following chapter, he admits to his own flawed plans to respond to his own alarms and various unmet goals. There is a disclaimer of course, that while he tries to size up the God that he wants to find, he admits his own limitations to see a world that is larger than his own. He reflects on the wavering predictions of weather; the painfully slow advancement of justice; and a lament that Dr Martin Luther King Jr's dream of a world of justice as something "unattainable." The author essentially questions everything in life. After a massive deconstruction of conventional thinking about life, he helps us arrive at a future position in which we can "neither reach nor abandon." This gets worse as he relates present fulfillment as illusions. For instance, once we are satisfied with all scientific inquiries, when our longing to know and accomplish stuff ceases, what would happen to us? What kind of a God does Kroman eventually arrive at? A hybrid: of the best one reasons that out to be. 

"The Virus in the Age of Madness" (Bernard-Henri Lévy)

TITLE: The Virus in The Age of Madness
AUTHOR: Bernard-Henri Lévy
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2020, (128 pages).

If we look at the year 2020, most people around the world would agree that life has changed forever. Social distancing is everywhere. People wear masks when they venture outdoors. A lot of people work from home. Air travel has been curtailed. More people are buying take-out instead of dining in. Schools are operating at less than normal capacity. Universities shift classes to online platforms. Welcome to the new normal. For some, this is a crazy phenomeon where entire lifestyles need to change because of a microscopic virus. With keen observation, author Bernard-Henri Lévy notes that the madness is not the virus but the reactions caused. Busy cities emptied out into ghost towns. Popular restaurants shut down. Pollution decreased as the number of stay-home workers increased. Violent demonstrations in HK and terrorism in other parts of the world too seem to have disappeared overnight. Most interestingly, we see how the little virus brings out the behaviours rarely seen under normal circumstances. They also bring out our appreciation for "invisible" group of workers such as caregivers, delivery personnel, garbage collectors, freight shippers, online workers, and so on. In a world that is shivering with fear, how about taking time to deal with the "innermost metaphysics" within us? There are a lot of things to be concerned. What we take at face value is often something that is deeply troubling. The author offers this book as a way to question conventional wisdom and the uncritical acceptance of top-down advice, especially from the politicians and the newly elevated social status of medical or health experts. 

"Who is an Evangelical?" (Thomas S. Kidd)

TITLE: Who Is an Evangelical?: The History of a Movement in Crisis
AUTHOR: Thomas S. Kidd
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2019, (200 pages).

A few decades ago, evangelicals were understood as people who were Bible-believing church goers of the conservative stream. As more of them engage in politics, they have become associated with Bible-thumping activists pushing the Republican agenda in the name of Christianity. Due to the sizeable influence of such lobbying to tilt the results in their favour, many see with disdain the mixing of politics and religion. In contrast to the born-again believer affirming the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith, the evangelical label is going through a unpleasant public perception, especially in North America, thanks to the Trump. However, according to author Thomas Kidd, historically, evangelicalism was never defined by partisan politics, unlike today's climate.

"Joy" (Edited by: Christian Wiman)

TITLE: Joy: 100 Poems
AUTHOR/EDITOR: Christian Wiman
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2017, (232 pages).

Joy is not just essential for life. It is crucial. Imagine a life without joy. It would be meaningless. For all the wonderful things we can say about this fascinating and needful emotion to have, people still feel conflicted about what it means, especially for them. Editor Christian Wiman notices this in her introduction to the book of poems. While dictionary definitions provide a starting clue about what joy is, truth is, joy is more than a definition. It is an intimate part of life that could be elusive to many, but highly sought after. It could not be scientifically manufactured lest the product comes forth as artificial. Even the word 'faith' needs healing before seekers can actually enter into a deeper comprehension of it. Truth is, joy can be found in more places than mere ecstasy or human happiness. It does not appear in one long climax but manifests itself in unique moments of life. Poetry is a powerful way to examine and experience these precious moments. Dictionaries can highlight the academic meaning of joy, but poetry tills it, massages it, evokes its essence in ways that typical prose and scientific manuals cannot do. Frogs jump for joy without even having to make an indepth study of their leaping experience. It comes in expectancy of freedom like a moth ready to take its first flight. It can be like a grand return to home after a long and weary expedition. It is a "catalyst" that leads us to other things, such as seeing life with a more positive viewpoint. Sometimes, joy is not simply described but played out through music. People sing and shout out loud.

"Flourishing" (Miroslav Volf)

TITLE: Flourishing: Why We Need Religion in a Globalized World
AUTHOR: Miroslav Volf
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2016, (304 pages).

Religions and globalizations have been around for a long time. Both have interacted and have influenced each other. In turn, they have affected all areas of our lives in varying degrees. The purpose of this book is to examine this relationship and offer reasons for faith in this increasingly complex world. The religions included in this book are primarily Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. For globalization, the author leads us through the various revolutions and the history of globalization. Coming from a background that was overwhelmingly Catholic and Orthodox, with a Muslim minority, the author is keenly aware of the complex relationships among the religions and the way globalization has impacted them. More importantly, the globalization model that we know in our time, is but a "moment in the grand arc of history" between creation and the new creation. He contrasts that with the two coming of Christ. The first is how Christ came into the world and dwelt among us. The second is a future-bound coming of Christ. In this light, Volf is particularly aware of opinions that are humanistic and non-religious, especially those that are calling for the abolition of religion altogether. Addressing this, in order for the world to flourish way further down the future road, religions are part of the solution and not part of the problem. This is Volf's conviction, and the book's chapters all argue in favour of this. For true flourishing, we have to deal with the age old commandment of God, to love God and to love our neighbour. While he offers a Christian perspective, he also argues that the other religions have more reasons to support his proposal. Using six formal and common features of world religions, he paints a vision of a future where religious thought can contribute to the flourishing of the world. Some key pointers are:

"Endowed by Our Creator" (Michael I. Meyerson)

TITLE: Endowed by Our Creator: The Birth of Religious Freedom in America
AUTHOR: Michael I. Meyerson
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012, (370 pages).

This book is an in-depth and insightful look at the beginnings of religious freedom in America. Going all the way back to the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, Meyerson helps readers see the original intent of the committee who drafted the declaration, namely, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. The birth of religious freedom arises out of three themes as depicted by the Great Seal: unity of the states, power of peace and war, and beginning of independence. Any "religious" symbols used are meant to be understood "allegorically" rather than "theologically," meaning that the birth of religious freedom is based on freedom for all, and not any particular interest group. The original draft of the Declaration has a level of sophistication and multi-faceted understanding, as well as a balanced viewpoint to bring together a complex society that is inclusive, not exclusive. So ingenious is it, that one can be religious and at the same time, be comfortable in supporting a separation of Church and state.One can be religious without imposing one's religion on another. One can be free to practice one's faith without fear of being suppressed by another belief that is different. That is why George Washington can be comfortable in using "non-sectarian" language to talk about religion or any other matters.

What are the circumstances that led to the framing of the Declaration of Independence? One big reason is widespread religious discrimination encountered during the early colonial states era. Catholics war against Protestants. Baptists and Quakers are despised by the powers in old Massachusetts. Power and politics even lead to change of names. For example, when the English took control of the state of New Amsterdam from the Dutch, they renamed the place New York. By 1774, the "country that won the Revolutionary War was a tolerant, Protestant nation" (93). The second American Revolution took place between 1783 to 1787, where sectarian groups debated and fought for some form of religious assertion and religious freedom. The complexity of the issues surrounding the different interpretations and implementations of religious freedom set the stage for the Declaration of Independence. Yet, the First Declaration is not without its flaws. That is why there needed to be a First Amendment, and Meyerson shows readers why.

Another reason is the desire for a sustained unity of the states. Fear and uncertainty of whether there will be further religious oppression of dissent leads to the proposal of a "bill of rights" that guarantees freedom of belief and still maintain the union of the states. Freedom of religion needs to correspond to equality of status. At this time, it is still hard to agree on what is freedom of religion. Can one use explicitly "Christian language" without diminishing the rights of others to practise their own religions? Can prayer be allowed in the political scene? Jefferson and Madison seek to de-link Government-religious institutions, from Government-religious concepts. 

Meyerson summarises the three major groups of "framers" of the American religious freedom environment. For the "originalists," religious freedom takes place in the context of what is understood by the public at that time. A second group prefers to trace the history and to extract some "abstract understanding" of what the originators had intended, not for solving a certain issue, but to determine some conceptual understanding. A third group, prefers to use the original framing as a starting point for "interpretive inquiry." Meyerson proposes the following, that true progress toward constructive expression of religious freedom means:

• accurately understanding the framers' intent of the Declaration of Independence
• Less partisan understanding and more understanding via dialogue
• Work toward a "unified understanding"
• Governments cannot endorse any one religious expression.
• Politicians must consciously make clear that their religious positions expressed is of a personal nature, and not to claim to impose any "official" religious beliefs into public policies. That said, contexts remain key.

Ironically, one big issue now is that for a nation that has promised religious freedom for all, America's religious history is not taught much in the classroom. If one does not know the origins of freedom of religion, and to trace how religious practices have shaped the modern United States, citizens both present and future will not only fail to achieve the intent and purposes of the original framers of the Declaration of Independence, they will also lose their sense of identity. 

My Thoughts

This is indeed a very fascinating look into the early beginnings of America has inherited the nature of religious freedom and the complexity and challenges of uniting a very diverse nation. While there are differences in faith persuasions on the outside, there are many well-intentioned desires on the inside. For example, some use "purity of religion" as their motivation, like the Quakers. Others adopt a fear of becoming pagans in a promised land, like the early settlers.  Some colonies like Rhode Island became most tolerant as a reaction against an intolerant Massachusetts in the mid 17th century. Yet, framing the Declaration is one thing. Interpreting and practicing it is another. In a pluralistic society, it is common to see opposing viewpoints can come from all directions. In heated debates, there is also a danger of putting words into the mouths of the original writers of the Declaration. That is why Meyerson spends substantial amount of time to make sure readers are aware of the ORIGINAL intent of the founders. That respecting one another's differences does not mean the rejection of one's own beliefs.

Meyerson has made a very powerful case for the need to go back to the beginnings of where democracy and freedom of religious beliefs and practices come from. The foundation of our present state is unabashedly from movements that are Christian. Those who fail to understand the history of freedom and democracy may very well be dislodging the foundation they are standing on. That said, it does not mean we all need to start painting all our institutional structures with explicitly Christian symbols or labels. God's influence is much wider than that. For if God is Creator of all, there are a lot more common ground for all people. Peace. Prosperity. Progress. Fruitfulness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Virtues. Is there any problem in embracing these even though they are "Christian?"

We cannot interpret too narrowly into any one legislation that is meant to be broadly applied. Neither can we interpret too broadly on something that is meant for a narrow and specific context. Determining and discerning which is which requires lots of wisdom, patience, and understanding. Such an enlightened position can only come when parties come together regularly to discuss honestly, debate earnestly, and to challenge one another with the primary goal of making the land a better nation for all. Maybe, the wisdom of the original Declaration of Independence is this: To make the words as clear as possible so as to invite people to agree on a common goal. At the same time, they are as as ambiguous as possible to invite more participation, discussion, and valuable interactions because the common goal has not been fulfilled yet. 

Finally, what I appreciate in this book is that we cannot be overly partisan in our own interpretation of our desires or our self-seeking mentalities. Sometimes, those of us who claim to fight for a certain group of people, are actually using such parties to prop up our own opinions. When going back to the origins of religious freedom, we need to recognize that freedom is something endowed by our Creator. Meyerson has cleverly employed a double meaning on what "Creator" means. Does it refer to the original framers of the Declaration of Independence or the interpretations of it? Or does it really refer to a Higher Deity from Whom all blessings flow? The book of this nature prefers to let readers decide for themselves. That said, there is a good chance, that Meyerson is saying that both meanings are plausible.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Yale University Press without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Abraham's Children: Liberty and Tolerance in an Age of Religious Conflict"

TITLE: Abraham's Children: Liberty and Tolerance in an Age of Religious Conflict
AUTHOR: Kelly James Clark (editor)
PUBLISHER: Yale University Press, 2012, (312 pages).

This book is a bold defense of religion as a force for good and tolerance rather than a source for violence and intolerance. Triggered by the persistant rants of the New Atheists such as Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins, the author goes back to the origins of the monotheistic religions, that owe their beginnings to the Patriarch Abraham. Fifteen contributors are invited to contribute to the main thesis of the book, that it is possible to retain the religious identity, beliefs, and practices, and at the same time, affirm tolerance and respect for other faiths. The five Jewish advocates are Einat Ramon, Dov Berkovits, Leah Shakdiel, Arik Ascherman, and Nurit Peled-Elhanan. The five Christian representatives are Jimmy Carter, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Ziya Meral, Hanna Siniora, and Miroslav Volf. The five Islamic respondents are Abdurrahman Wahid, Hedieh Mirahmadi, M. Fethullah Gulen, Rana Husseini, and Abdolkarim Soroush.

The editor first highlights the three major caricatures that the New Atheists and many people point their fingers at. Firstly, the Jews have been accused of their religion as violent, based on their historical destruction of the Canaanites, saying that the Jews are intolerant because of an intolerant God. Secondly, many have accused Christians of violence, using the Crusades as an example. Thirdly, many accuse Muslims of terrorist behaviour because of their Islamic links. The purpose of the book is thus to debunk all of these three caricatures, by letting these fifteen contributors argue two ways. Firstly, that their religion has been misunderstood. Secondly, true practice of the Abrahamic faith by all three religions actually promote tolerance and goodwill toward all people. There are three common underlying beliefs by all these three faiths.

1. The religion teaches mercy.
2. That the human race is created in the image of God, and are to be respected and cherished.
3. Humility is a mark of the true religious practitioner.

These three common distinctiveness do not spread violence or intolerance. Instead, it will create space for all faiths to co-exist freely. The rest of the book shows how that is so.

A) The Jewish Perspective

Dr Einat Ramon, the first woman rabbi, argues in her essay that the Jews remember their humiliation and persecution in the past, but do not "dwell" in them. Their firm belief that they are the ones to bring hope to the world, undergirds their desire to bring goodwill to all. The biblical basis of respecting humanity, pluralism, and human solidarity remains consistent to this day.Using her family's example of moving from persecution to independence, she says that Jews respect freedom even more because they themselves have experienced freedom from slavery.  As for the Palestinian-Jewish conflict, the issues are more complicated than mere religious differences. Rabbi Don Berkovits say that Judaism has more to do with the love of life, and the Torah gives shape to this. He too sees Jews as victims of many persecutions, mainly due to the practice of idolatry in the history of Israel. He says that only "mutual trust" can help turn one another into a "mutual other." He argues that violence, if any, is never the problem of one group, namely the Jews. It is far more complex.

Leah Shakdiel argues similarly that the Jews have been victimized more than being the oppressors. They are the "ultimate victims." In fact, he argues that both Israel and the Palestinians have a common concern: Identity. He admits that there are some radical sects who operate in the name of Zionism who are giving Judaism a bad name. They need to be "corrected."  The important exercise is to read the religious texts carefully and "challenge dangerous readings" and "leaders." Arik Ascherman argues that Judaism promotes "universal human rights and social justices." The truly mighty is the one who is able to turn an enemy into a friend. Nurit Peled-Elhanan's essay laments the problem of some "Israeli Education" that has become intolerant. The key problem lies in the definition of "others" or those outside the Jewish people. Judaism teaches welcoming the "other." Textbooks that teach otherwise must be corrected to reflect the true teachings of Judaism. Again, religions texts need to be read and interpreted from the Torah, and not from the eyes of sinister people.

B) The Christian Perspective

Jimmy Carter begins by saying that Christians can embrace all other religions in the pursuit of peace and alleviating human suffering. Christians are in the forefront of peace and women's rights. A key observation Carter makes is that fundamentalistic behaviour is not a religious behaviour but a human tendency. The very well respected Nicholas Wolterstoff is a strong advocate for justice and peace. He argues that to be intolerant to others is to wrong God.  He then defines the nature of tolerance and how it can be practised. Intolerance is unjust. Intolerance violate the dignity of the other. Intolerance wrong God. He goes back to Augustine to highlight a state of weeping for others, and that love is the way to derive true happiness. He also takes the Calvin's position that "to inflict injury" another is to "wound God." Love, justice, and the practice of the image of God are key tenets of the Christian faith. The third contributor, Ziya Meral, goes on the offensive, that instead of religions being the source of violence and intolerance, it is the reverse. In fact, the denial of religious freedom is the "most widespread" problem. Several reasons point to this sad state. Firstly, media, and human rights organization may fight for freedom, but "shun religious freedom." Secondly, many leaders are plain ignorant about what religions mean. This create blind spots regarding religions, which further aggravates the ignorance. He argues that there is a need to speak up for practitioners of ALL religions, from a pragmatic, ethical, and a theological perspective. Like Christ, one needs to share the pain and suffering not only with fellow believers, but with all people suffering or in pain. The fourth contributor, Hanna Siniora is a Palestinian Christian who speaks as a "minority within a minority." He accepted a call to participate in the peace talks, giving readers insights into the various complexities between the various groups. His life is a testimony of advocating peace at the risk of personal safety. Miroslav Volf preaches universal respect, reconciliation and peace. Growing up as a victim of a land of intolerance, he criticizes those who accuse Christianity of advocating violence when the truth is, the world is a system of interconnected groups, rather than a single religion. Of all the contributors, Volf comes most direct in defending the religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The true mark of the Church is tolerance, freedom, love, and honouring one another. In fact, honour is a better emphasis than mere tolerance. After asking who wins the prize for "intolerance," Volf admits he is unwilling to judge who.

C) The Islamic Perspective

Abdurrahman Wahid believes that God does not need to be defended because "nothing can threaten God." This straightaway dispels anyone who fights for God in order to defend God. He says that religious understanding is a process, and that the true Muslim is one who is "content to live in peace with others, whose paths and views may differ." Hedieh Mirahmadi says that Islam is moderate, and promotes the "middle way." It advocates a universal principle of accepting one another. He blames extremists for the negativity surrounding religions. If God accepts us, why can't we accept one another? He urges patience from others to let the Islamic world struggle to "reclaim the image of Islam as a religion that is equitable, just, and socially responsible." M. Fethullah Gulen says that Islam embodies  divine mercy and tolerance. It is because God is inclusive, Muslims need to be inclusive. Islam means submission to God. He says that the dichotomy of the world into Islamic world and non-Islamic is wrong. War is not an essential. Peace is. Rana Husseini decides to focus on the subject of "honor," or violence against women. He blames the Western media for erroneous coverage of "honor crimes and women." Many of these killings are not religious but cultural. The essay is complex and needs careful reading in order not to misunderstand the content and the intent. The key response is to speak out against violence in a consistent way of "uniformed denunciation." Finally, Abdolkarim Soroush talks about the Islamic perspective of tolerance, and that it is POSSIBLE for Muslims to keep their Muslim values as well as live in a democratic society. Tolerance to him is "an extra-religious virtue," worthy of practice.

My Thoughts

All of the fifteen contributors put up outstanding defenses of their religions. I find their arguments a lot more reasonable and convincing than the rhetorics of the naysayers, especially the New Atheists. Clark has given us a compelling look at the inner workings, thinking, and theological background of three major religions. Granted that there is no way to totally eradicate religions, or secularism for that matter, why not make the best of it? More importantly, readers are encouraged to be open to let the religious practitioners, theologians, scholars, and experts shine the way forward to peace, goodwill, true tolerance, mercy, and to show humility to one another in dialogue. This book does a great job in dispelling the three major erroneous caricatures of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It is a book that needs to be written. It is a book that needs to be read. It is a book that bridges the gaps between different faiths. 

What I find lacking is the intensity of engaging the accusations that religions are the source of violence and intolerance. Most of the contributors adopt a conservative stance of sharing personal stories and their understanding of what their religions mean and not mean. In general, they are more positive in their religious outlook than their secular counterparts. They may have argued their points well, I am not sure how well others will receive it. Although the book has only scratched the surface of a very complex topic, nonetheless, it has scratched the right itch in the right direction. 

Kudos to Clark for a good job.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Yale University Press and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.