When Religion Becomes Evil
Charles Kimball
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2003 HarperSanFrancisco
ISBN: 0060556102

The Five Warning Signs of Corruption in Religion.

In Charles Kimball's Introduction he starts with: “Religion is arguably the most powerful and pervasive force on earth. Throughout history religious ideas and commitments have inspired individuals and communities of faith to transcend narrow self-interest in pursuit of higher values and truths...Questions about why people do bad things...in the name of religion are not new...The tragic events of September 11, 2001, underscore the point.”

I wanted to read When Religion Becomes Evil, for no other reason than in our age Islam is the petrie dish in which terrorists have proliferated. I expected this book to explain how the institution of Islamic religion became contorted to include kamikaze bombers -- both in a war against America & Western values -- against us “non-believers” as well as in the Middle East where al-qaida (“the base”) found such fertile ground.

What is interesting is how Charles Kimball explains the differences between religious faith & the institutions which grew up around them to protect their articles of truth.

It is to be remembered that all institutional religions, at some time in their history, have meted out dreadful & evil punishments upon “non-believers”, no matter under what guise, in which century or where on earth.

Why do the practitioners of religions end up doing bad things? Why do we believe our religion (whichever one it is) gives us carte blanche, unconditional authority, full power, the complete right, free hand, license, open sanction, mandate, prerogative, free rein, blank check to do evil things to each other? Is it, in fact, our religions that foment & encourage? Or is it something else?

Charles Kimball sets out to explore these questions & see if there are any answers. He describes what terrorists of all stripes do: “The attacks were carefully planned and skillfully executed by seemingly intelligent people whose level of commitment to their cause included suicidal self-sacrifice. They intentionally blended in with mainstream society as part of a larger plan. They cleverly used the rules in place ... to accomplish their mission...” (Page 3) While Charles Kimball is focusing on the 9/11 airplane hijackers, this applies to all the terrorists in our midst, past & present.

In the first chapter: Is Religion The Problem? Charles Kimball discusses how he teaches his Religion 101 classes. The first thing he asks his students is to define religion, define GOD. Well, can you do it? As this author mentions, many of us are coming to think that religion per se is anachronistic & the problem of “doing away” with them, as Communism did (or tried to) is not the answer. Is there only one answer? What is it, & does Charles Kimball have any others?

Actually, he does & after explaining what religion is, he goes on to reveal the Absolute Truth Claims (Chapter 2) we inculcate so we may practice Blind Obedience (Chapter 3) making way in Establishing the “Ideal” Time (Chapter 4). How we do this is to aver that The End Justifies Any Means (Chapter 5) & thus end up Declaring Holy War (Chapter 6). In conclusion Charles Kimball thinks about An Inclusive Faith Rooted in a Tradition (Chapter 6).

In his final analysis after explaining how “nearly half the world's population traces its spiritual heritage back to Abraham.” (Page 210), Charles Kimball discusses The Middle East as a Microcosm this way: “If we are not able to find nonviolent ways to move forward toward justice, peace, and security in these lands, it does not bode well for the rest of us inhabiting the religiously diverse, interdependent world community.” (ibid)

There is much to be learned & considered in When Religion Becomes Evil. If you are wondering who Charles Kimball is & how come he should be listened to, he explains in his Introduction how his grandfather escaped an anti-Semitic Pogrom in Russia; about his first awareness of how religious practitioners viewed those of other faiths in his Oklahoma childhood; how he was raised Christian & became engaged in church activities. On to his theological studies to became a clergyman, one of seven who represented the United States in Iran after the hostage taking at the embassy. He served as director of interfaith programs for the Fellowship of Reconciliation. He certainly knows of what he writes.

If you have ever asked why good & faithful people mutate into death-dealing martyrs, When Religion Becomes Evil, offers some insights. It is by no means a “heavy” read -- it is thought-provoking, lucid & accessible.

Unfortunately Charles Kimball's previous works are out of print:
Religion, Politics, and Oil: The Volatile Mix in the Middle East
Angle of Vision: Christians and the Middle East
Jesus' Exposition of the Old Testament in Luke's Gospel
(11/23/03)

Rebecca