Righteous Religion: Unmasking the Illusions of Fundamentalism and Authoritarian Catholicism

by Ritter; Kathleen

• ISBN13: 9780789060174
• ISBN10: 0789060175
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-02-24
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction	p. 1
Illusions About Righteous Religion
Toward an Authentic Voice	p. 13
Religion as the Fortress of Absolute Truth	p. 19
Religion as a Parent	p. 31
Six Illusions of Religion as the Good Parent	p. 39
Clergy as Healthy Parents	p. 57
One Big Happy Family
What Will People Think?	p. 79
To Thine Own Self Be Untrue	p. 83
Spinning a Web	p. 89
Scapegoating	p. 95
Shadow Carriers	p. 99
A Disowned Past	p. 105
Don't Rock the Boat	p. 109
Caught in the Middle	p. 113
Business as Usual	p. 119
Speaking with Forked Tongue	p. 123
Challenges to the Power Structure	p. 129
Claiming Your Own Voice
Grieving Illusions	p. 137
Living with Paradox	p. 153
Transforming Illusions	p. 167
Reference Notes	p. 185
Index	p. 209
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.