A synopsis of a book by Ezat Mossallanejad,
with a forward by and Richard T. Hall, titled:
"Religions and the cruel return of Gods"
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Religion and the Cruel Return of Gods will provide a holistic approach to religion as a form of social consciousness. It will explore the good and evil ideas and practices in different religious traditions. It also endeavours to understand the causes and consequences of the phenomenon
of today’s religious revivalism. My intention is not to give credit to religion nor discredit it. Religion is linked with faith and obedience. It is suffused with human sentiment. However, as long as you
consider yourself an insider, everything seems perfect, but the moment you step outside, you encounter a dilemma. Mark Twain was right when he said that there are many true religions in the world, and most of them insist on the deceitfulness of the others. Throughout my study, I will employ an objective and philosophical approach to the phenomenon
of religion and human violence all the while trying to remain nonjudgemental, holistic and interdisciplinary.
Religion and the Cruel Return of Gods is composed of thirteen separate yet interrelated chapters. I will explore the challenge of defining religion, a vast and complicated subject that one can hardly give a definition without facing multiple exceptions. I base my studies on two categories of religion – western prophetic religions and eastern religions, thus paving the way towards an understanding of various theories on the roots of all religions.
I examine the concepts of belief, holiness, identity, ritual and liturgy. I will discuss the doctrine of
salvation, religious myths and codes of conduct as well as demonology, angelology, and miracles. I will explain a pyramid of theories – theological, agnostic and atheistic – on the origin of religion. Learn of the historical developments of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’ism, Hinduism, Sikhism plus Eastern Buddhism, Jainism, Shintoism, Daosim and Confucianism. My research took me traveling across the globe to study the phenomenon of religious revivalism of the present day. The Cruel Return of Gods is examined in the Moslem world, in Africa, Europe, USA, India, the Far East as well as Latin America. Included is a thorough analysis of the Arab Revolts. The prospect of the domination of Islamic fanaticism is investigated in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain.
Special attention is paid to the nature and characters of today’s violence. I confess that despite my non-judgemental approach, I do intend to condemn violence, as the main cause of human backwardness and enslavement.
In an attempt to be as objective as possible, I have remained agnostic throughout my work. My agnosticism does not, however, prevent me from maintaining my personal integrity as a secular humanitarian and human rights advocate. I do not accept any fixed ideas or predetermined realities and I always keep the famous dictum of “doubt everything” in mind.
About the author:
Ezat Mossallanejad is a Policy Analyst and Researcher at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture in Toronto, Canada
Product details:
Originally posted: 2012-MAY-04
Latest update: 2012-MAY-04
Author: B.A. Robinson
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