The Freedom to do God's Will: Religious Fundamentalism and Social Change

In the wake of the events of September 11th 2001, it is disturbingly clear that no government or individual can afford to ignore religious fundamentalism. Religious faith in the modern world is a political statement, from the hot spots of Al Quaeda's Afghanistan to the simmering religious tensions and explosive violence igniting the streets of Israel, Palestine, India and even the urban melting-pots of the US and Europe. But how does fundamentalism function across cultural and social boundaries? Are all faiths equally susceptible to it? How can we recognize fundamentalism, and is it always by its nature harmful or wrong? Under the auspices of top international commentators,The Freedom To Do God's Willconsiders the global impact of fundamentalism on religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Christianity, Judasim and Islam. With special reference to human rights issues, women's rights and the influence of social factors, it brings a new dimension to a field of study oftendominated by purely religious or political perspectives, while effectively challenging received ideas about the violence and conservatism of fundamentalist movements. Revealingly illustrated with original case studies, 10 investigative essays from a multicultural panel of experts, each with specific local and academic knowledge of the faiths and issues they discuss, offer an intimate and highly specific portrait of why and how fundamentalism occurs.

Gerrie ter Haar is Professor of Religion, Human Rights and Social Change at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, and deputy secretary-general of the International Association for the History of Religions. She has written widely on religious developments in Africa James J. Busuttil, former Director of the British Institute of Human Rights and legal adviser with the US Department of State, is Associate Professor of International Law and Organisation at the Institute of Social Studies and editor of the bi-monthly Human Rights Case Digest. He is Chair of the Working Group on Religion, Conflict and Peace based in The Hague