We don’t generally ‘do’ reviews of books here, but as Lord (Rabbi) Sacks’ Not in God’s Name is an exceptional book, it is right to make an exception for it. In fact, the book is so rich that it demands either an extended review – which will make it rather longer than the usual posts here (which tend to be between 5 and 600 words) – or several posts. For the convenience of the reader, I am opting for the latter – although it does mean you will have to wait a day or so to get the full story; if you get impatient, do just go and buy the book!
Our American readers may be less familiar with Lord Sacks, so a few brief words by way of introduction. Jonathan Sacks was Chief Rabbi of the of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013. He became well-know in the UK through his radio and TV appearances, not because of any showiness – he is the least showy of men – but because his quiet wisdom impressed people;even those with no spiritual beliefs could see they were in the presence of a wise and holy man. I have linked to his website above, so you can find out more there.
Not in God’s Name is a timely volume in some ways – and a timeless one in other, more important ones; those who read it only for the timeliness will be disappointed; those who come to it for the wisdom it contains will not be disappointed.
The first part of the book, whilst interesting, was, for me, a puzzle. It is a very good synthesis of work done on why mankind resorts so readily to violence, and why do much of it is done in God’s name. We are social animals, we form groups, we are tribal, and these tribes, nations, languages, cultures and codes of religion are the bases of our identity; it is a mistake to assume there is something called humanity in the abstract. People always exist with an identity they take from whatever group they belong to – and part of that entails an innate distrust of those who do not belong to that group. This leads to violence. The world is divided into ‘us’ and ‘them’; at extreme times it leads to what Rabbi Sacks calls ‘pathological dualism- -where we see our opponents as something less than human and try to exterminate them. Interesting as all of this is, there was nothing in the early pages which suggested why Rabbi Sacks was the man to comment on this – what did it have to do with his main areas of expertise – religion and philosophy? If, like me, you feel that in the first chapter, don’t worry because when the answer comes, it is worth the short wait.
He suggests there have been three main attempts to escape from this identity politics by creating a universal ‘tribe’ is you will: Christianity, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile; Islam, where all the faithful are one; and the Enlightenment project which was the European secular alternative after it had become clear that the principle of One God, One Truth and One Way, had not actually brought peace. Science and philosophy would, it was assumed, succeed where religion has failed. After nearly three centuries of warfare caused by nationalism and philosophies such as Communism and Fascism and Racialism, Two World Wars, a Holocaust and the Gulag, it takes more optimism than most of us have to believe this is working. Its failure has led to the third attempt – which is to dethrone the group in favour of the individual, creating an atomised society, with the collapse of the traditional family, the erosion of community and – in reaction to this, the rise of religious extremism whic insists on the group identity in the face of alienating individualism. The attempt to do away with the tribe is not only not working, it may actually be making things worse.
Part II of the book is where the pulse really quickens, as Rabbi Sacks gets into the question of how the Bible treats questions of sibling rivalry, which is at the root of the quarrels between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. That will be the subject of a second post.
Sounds like an interesting study. I certainly can see the atomization among those who once were held together by nationalism, patriotism or a set of common core principles (an ethos of sorts). Politics and modernity has certainly played a huge role in atomizing us by race, religion, politics, economics, gender and other factors. Technology has allowed us to live out virtual lives with virtual persons and virtual tribes of like minded individuals as well. I will be interested in reading more of this in the next post. Sounds like a book that helps in grappling with all these things that presently has placed ideas or ideals of peace in jeopardy.
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It is. I thought I could do it in two, but think it is going to take 3 to do it justice.
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Whatever it takes, C. Any help in assimilating what is going on these days is of inestimable value. For the life of me, all I can do is shake my head in wonderment.
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I’m already hooked! Another one for my groaning library….line ’em up! Look forward to reading Part 2.
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Hah! So am I, unfortunately, it’s not available over here until 13 October, Or so says Amazon who will happily allow me to preorder.
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It is a most interesting, and unusual book. I think it will take three pieces, but will see if I have the time to compress.
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It looks it. What reviews I’ve seen this morning are uniformly good. and the SoundCloud from his site is remarkable. First impression from not nearly enough data: He brings a perspective we need.
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That is spot on Neo – I doubt anyone else could have written this.
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How does it compare to Pagels’ Origin of Satan (I think that’s the title), if you’ve read it?
And while I look forward to the rest of the review, I won’t be adding to the bookshelf since I just stacked in all eight volumes of the Latin/English Summa Theologiae…
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I have, but it’s quite different. This is an interesting mix of socio-political thinking and rabbinical theology! Sounds like you have some interesting reading ahead.
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Looking forward to the rest – I will collate the part and retain the complete review. Thanks very much in advance for all your efforts.
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Thank you, Rob.
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meant to mention that I saw a few TV programs of Rabbi Sacks’ when living in UK a great character.
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Yes, he is one of those patently holy men who makes you realise the width of God’s mercy to us.
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exactly!
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To the joy of all readers, I have joined the catholic church. Thank you Mary.
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Ah! But too late Bosco we are now all recommending that you follow the Rabbi and become a Jew 🙂
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A Hebrew? Well, that’s food for thought. But I just joined the catholic church. Im too tired and its over 100 degrees here in south so cal high desert to go switch religions. Good brothers Chacedon and Servus switch religions like changing socks, but I don’t have the energy. May Mary richly bless you.
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Is that in the region of Death Valley? I drove through there one time.
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No, im a few miles from san deigo in the high desert. Death Vally isn’t real far from here though.
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Is this the fourth of fifth time you pulled this one?
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Oh Mary, don’t let my joy be turned into sadness because of a few naysayers.
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I remember with affection how he attended Cardinal Humes’s funeral, a wonderfully wise and holy man. Have just ordered Not in God’s Name from Amazon, looking forward to reading part 2 of your excellent review.
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Thank you, Eileen – from our point of view , that is those with faith, it is where it gets very interesting indeed.
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I have now recommended the book to Greg Boyd and been informed that his book “The Crucifixion of the Warrior God” – an interpretation of violence in the OT is now at the publishers.
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Thanks, Rob. I shall be interested to see it.
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I recall seeing Rabbi Sacks on television, possibly on David Frost’s show, when he was still alive. I always thought he and Rowan Williams made good friends.
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Yes, two patently holy men.
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Bosco, dear, changing socks might be a good idea after all. Remember, you always do that in mid-August.
Of course there’s no need for you to change your religion. The Calumny Chapel may have a set of beliefs and practices that seem barmy to the rest of us, but it suits you, and that’s the main thing.
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If I want to go to heaven, I have to join the CC. Saints be praised.
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