Christianity on Trial

by Carroll, Vincent

• ISBN13: 9781893554153
• ISBN10: 1893554155
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-01
• Publisher: Encounter Books

Summary

Vincent Carroll and David Shiflett do not shrink from confronting the tragedies that have been perpetrated throughout the ages in the name of Christianity. But they argue that the current indulgence of anti-Christian rhetoric in our culture not only involves bad taste, but tunnel vision and wilful historical illiteracy as well. Carroll and Shiflett dispassionately consider the indictment of Christianity -- specifically that it has justified racism and misogyny, encouraged ignorance, and promoted the despoliation of the environment and even justified genocide. Then, in a narrative whose intellectual elegance and verve calls up comparisons to 'How the Irish Saved Civilisation', they answer these charges, showing how in fact the Christian tradition has not only injected morality into our political order, but softened brutal practices and confining superstitions, created the foundation for intellectual inquiry, and created the compassionate! impulse. This book challenges readers of all beliefs -- even those with a belief in disbelief itself -- to question the anti-religious bigotry that thrives in our intellectual world and to re-evaluate the role of Christianity not only as a source of consolation but of enlightenment and human liberation as well.

Author Biography

Vincent Carroll is editor of the editorial pages at the Rocky Mountain News. He lives in Denver David C. Shiflett is a freelance writer living in Midlothian, Virginia

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Christianity and the Foundation of the West	1	(23)
Christianity and Slavery	24	(30)
Christianity and Science	54	(32)
Christianity and the Slaughter of the Innocents	86	(26)
Christianity and the Third Reich	112	(27)
Christianity and Charity	139	(23)
Christianity and the Environment	162	(14)
Christianity and American Democracy	176	(29)
Conclusion	205	(8)
Notes	213	(16)
Acknowledgments	229	(2)
Index	231