1st Edition

Religion and Genocide Changing the Conversation

By Steven Leonard Jacobs Copyright 2023
    214 Pages
    by Routledge

    214 Pages
    by Routledge

    Religion and Genocide: Changing the Conversation is a cutting-edge introduction to the complex and controversial relationship between religion and genocide. This book aims to widen the reader’s understanding of religion and those who practice it, the nexus of religion and violence, and those who legitimate their violence by framing it in religious terms by looking at notions of holy wars, religious wars, and genocide and the practitioners of such.

    This book delves into our current thinking of ourselves as biological entities, our relationship to genocide, and the impact of geography (including climate change) and diseases on our humanity and our ability to commit genocide. Tying together all these seemingly disparate threads, this text concludes with the significant and still largely unanswered question: "Where do we go from here?".

    Highlighting the complex relationship between religion and genocide, this is an essential read for students and academics studying religion and violence, Judaism, Judaic studies, and holocaust and genocide studies. Religion and Genocide will also be of interest to researchers in related subjects such as history, politics, sociology, and anthropology.

    1. Introduction: Why This Book?

    2. What Is This Thing Called "Religion"?

    3. Who Are These Human Beings Who "Do" Religion—The Rise of Religion?

    4. What About Religion and Violence?

    5. What Is This Thing Called "Genocide"?

    6. Who Are These Human Beings Who "Do" Genocide—The Perpetrators?

    7. "Holy" Wars & "Religious" Wars: Is There a Genocidal Connection?

    8. Antisemitism as Genocide

    9. Why Should Biology Matter?

    10. Why Should Geography, Climate Change and Diseases Matter?

    11. Changing the Conversation: What Is to Be Done?

    12. Conclusions: Bringing It All Together: Religion, Violence and Genocide

    Bibliography

    Appendix 1: United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

    Index

    About the Author

    Biography

    Steven Leonard Jacobs is Professor of Religious Studies and Emeritus Aaron Aronov Chair of Judaic Studies at The University of Alabama, USA.