Righteous Religion: Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Auth

Description

Why are so many individuals discouraged, at spiritual dead ends, even when they are active participants in their churches? Righteous Religion exposes the authoritarian misuse of Christian teaching that often leaves its members ignored, chastised, or belittled. This new book offers hope for anyone who has struggled with disillusionment in the face of an unbending religious system. After unmasking a... Read more

Why are so many individuals discouraged, at spiritual dead ends, even when they are active participants in their churches? Righteous Religion exposes the authoritarian misuse of Christian teaching that often leaves its members ignored, chastised, or belittled. This new book offers hope for anyone who has struggled with disillusionment in the face of an unbending religious system. After unmasking a bewildering network of illusions that operate beneath the surface of Fundamentalism and dogmatic Catholicism, the authors help readers find their own voices of truth. This is a candid book that analyzes the grip of Fundamentalism and Catholicism on their respective followers, despite financial and sexual scandals, misuse of power and influence, apparent hypocrisy, and selective self-righteousness of these two religious systems.

Using real life stories of ordinary people in ordinary churches, Righteous Religion demonstrates that the efforts involved in maintaining illusions are incompatible with claiming a personal spiritual voice. The authors discuss the relationship between the breakdown of erroneous notions and the growth that will involve readers in finding their own voice. From the stories presented, readers will see the journey progress from questioning previously unquestioned assumptions, reclaiming the best out of their religious traditions, and then transcending that which is no longer viable by grieving over illusions, learning to live with paradox, and transforming illusions into a new, valid, and spiritually personal religious truth.

As readers begin the journey of finding their own spiritual voice, their experiences will be validated by the prose and stories in Righteous Religion. Those outside of Fundamentalism and Catholicism can begin to understand the practices of these religious groups through the authors’clear explanation of the dynamics and inner workings of creed bound Fundamentalism and Catholicism. This book has appeal to anyone--whether from within or outside religious tradition--who has questioned the grip of Fundamentalism and Catholicism on individuals. Read less

Introduction
Part One: Illusions About Righteous Religion
Toward an Authentic Voice
Religion as the Fortress of Absolute Truth
Religion as a Parent
Six Illusions of Religion as the Good Parent
Clergy as Healthy Parents
Part Two: One Big Happy Family
What Will People Think?
To Thine Own Self be Untrue
Spinning a Web
Scapegoating
Shadow Carriers
A Disowned Past
Don’t Rock the Boat
Caught in the Middle
Business as Usual
Speaking With Forked Tongue
Challenges to the Power Structure
Part Three: Claiming Your Own Voice
Grieving Illusions
Living With Paradox
Transforming Illusions
Reference Notes
Index

Author(s)

Biography

Kathleen Ritter, Craig O'Neill

Righteous Religion Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Authoritarian Catholicism

Description

Table of Contents

Author(s)

Biography

SOCIAL NETWORKS

Secure Shopping Payment Options