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God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run The World--and Why Their Differences Matter (2010)

by Stephen R. Prothero(Favorite Author)

3.72 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

006157127X (ISBN13: 9780061571275)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

HarperOne

review 1: At my age, I should be better informed about the diversity of world religions. This book filled an important gap in my general religious literacy. I never dreamed that Hinduism had so many layers and so many varieties - and that's very similar to most religions - wildly diverse traditions within traditions!I now understand how Confucianism and Daoism complement each other - almost depend on each other. The Dao is very enticing but it seems to depend on some other principle to maintain order in society - hence the connection to Confucius.The Chinese and Indians civilizations in particular have rich traditions; made me wanna go there and see for myself!
review 2: Prothero, a professor in Boston University’s Department of Religion, has made it his mission to edu... morecate America’s ignorant public about religions. In God Is Not One, he explodes the old platitude that all religions have the same essential doctrines. Prothero considers belief in the underlying unity of faiths to be a dangerous hindrance to understanding current events. To help dispel this myth, he describes eight of the world’s most influential religions: Islam, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoruba Religion, Judaism, and Daoism. To highlight their differences in an accessible way, he conceives of each religion as the solution to a problem. Muslims solve the problem of personal hubris by submitting to God. Christians solve the problem of sin by embracing Christ’s gift of salvation. Confucians address the problem of familial and social disorder by adhering to ethical propriety and human-heartedness. Hindus escape from the endless cycle of death and rebirth through the use of myriad disciplines, doctrines, philosophies and forms of devotion. Buddhists solve the problem of suffering by letting go of their attachments to the objects of human desire. Practitioners of Yoruba religions solve the problem of disconnection—from their destinies, from each other, and from sacred power—by using divination, sacrifices, and spirit possession. Religious Jews address the problem of a people’s separation from God and Community by finding meaning in the story of their people and in their traditions of law and commentary. Daoists solve the problem of the physically and mentally stultifying life by seeking to live in harmony with the Way of all things, the indefinable totality called the Dao. So much for the idea that all religions say the same thing. Prothero’s presentation is clear and satisfying, and he deserves enormous credit for identifying the Yoruba religions as a world faith. Apparently, Yoruba religions resemble each other more than Christian denominations do, and influence regions that stretch from West Africa to the Caribbean to South & Central America to the southern USA. Be that as it may, I’m skeptical about Prothero’s notion that understanding the differences between religious doctrines is crucial to understanding current events. Religious claims are all too often mere pretexts for politically motivated acts. The 9/11 attacks were perpetrated, not for the Prophet, but against the US presence in the Middle East and US backing of Israel. Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is not a claim on a Promised Land, but a claim on water and real estate. The Crusades were so much not an attempt to re-claim the Holy Land for Christianity as a means of sending dispossessed warriors and others who were deemed undesirable out of their home countries. Nonetheless, understanding the differences between religions is crucial to appreciating them for what they are, rather than for what religious universalists wish they were. On that basis, consider this book strongly recommended. less

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