Oliver Thomson
Gods at War: Understanding Three Millennia of Religious Conflict
Gods at War: Understanding Three Millennia of Religious Conflict
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Gods at War explores the role played by religions in starting or supporting wars from ancient Egypt and Israel to the current conflicts in Yemen and the Ukraine. It discusses the reasons why religious sanction has been welcomed by war leaders and why religions chose to cooperate, drawing distinctions between the documented faith of each religion and its manipulation by its leaders.
Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2019
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
Gods at War delves into the profound influence of religions on the initiation and support of wars throughout history,spanning from ancient Egypt and Israel to the ongoing conflicts in Yemen and the Ukraine. This comprehensive examination not only analyzes the well-known religious wars such as the Crusades, the Thirty Years War, and the numerous Islamic jihads, but also sheds light on the lesser-known roles played by nearly all religions in fostering the desire for warfare among warrior kings, dictators, and even democratic nations.
Religions have employed a range of tactics to encourage and sustain wars, including providing financial support, promising paradise in the afterlife, guaranteeing victory (God is on their side), and organizing ceremonial practices to boost morale.
In his assessment, Oliver Thomson explores the extent of religious involvement in conflicts, including less obvious ones such as the attempted invasion of the Spanish Armada, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Japanese War in the Pacific. Notably, the prime minister of Japan who launched the attack on Pearl Harbor was a devout Buddhist. Examples of wars inspired by Judaism, rival Christian and Muslim sects, Sikhism, and Japanese Shinto also exist.
The first section of the book delves into various forms of religious influence in conflicts, ranging from purely religious wars like the French or German wars of religion to instances where religion played a supportive but still significant role. It also examines the reasons why war leaders have welcomed religious sanction and why religions have chosen to cooperate. Distinctions are drawn between the documented faith of each religion and its manipulation by its leaders when it suited their purposes.
The book is organized into four main sections, each covering wars from a different historical era: the pre-Christian era, the Middle Ages, the early modern period, and the conflicts of the twenty-first century. These sections provide a comprehensive examination of the role of religion in shaping warfare throughout history.
In conclusion, Gods at War is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between religions and warfare. It sheds light on the historical and contemporary roles played by religions in encouraging and supporting wars, highlighting the ways in which they have influenced decision-making, mobilized populations, and shaped the course of human history. By examining the interplay between faith and power, this book offers valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of navigating the intersection of religion and conflict.
Weight: 632g
Dimension: 243 x 161 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445694719
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