Reuven Firestone

Religions Hold Mix of Justice and Mercy

Published on January 1, 2004

Religion did not begin with compassion. The gods of the ancient Near East were not exactly epitomes of goodness.

In the flood story of the Gilgamesh Epic, the gods destroyed humanity not because they were reacting to unbridled violence and sin, as in the biblical (and quranic) versions, but because humans were making too much noise and disturbing them.

The ancient gods were worshipped but not out of love. They were worshipped out of fear.

What Made Saddam Run?

Published on December 18, 2003

What was the driving force behind Saddam Hussein's behavior? Was it his Arabness? His Islam? Or just generic cruelty?

‘Leasing’ of Peace Could Be Best Move

Published on May 8, 2003

OK, let's get it over with. Normative Islam today cannot make a peace treaty with a Jewish State in the midst of the Islamic world. It just doesn't make it, not in terms of historical precedent, cultural expectations or religious law. Islamists simply trump liberal Muslims on this.

Athens and Baghdad

Published on May 1, 2003

The legacy of Athens was not only the glory of Western democracy. It was also the brutality of Roman tyranny. And the legacy of Baghdad is not only Wahhabi obscurantism and viciousness. It is also religious tolerance and a this-worldly spirituality.

Athens and Baghdad

Published on April 24, 2003

The legacy of Athens was not only the glory of Western democracy. It was also the brutality of Roman tyranny.

Rome and Baghdad

Published on April 10, 2003

The pagan Roman Empire was the most complex and refined civilization that had ever appeared on earth. Its religious practice ensured eternal protection by the gods. Its emperor was appointed by the divinity as ruler of the Roman state. Although the empire flourished for many centuries, its religious system did not. The Roman Empire Christianized under Constantine, and this new reality created a new Christian self-concept: imperial Christianity. The Christianization of the empire proved the triumph of Christianity over all its religious competitors and demonstrated that God loved the church and its mighty kingdom.

This new and improved Roman Empire was called the Byzantine Empire, and its Christian emperor became known as God's regent on earth.

Islam Is the Answer

Published on December 13, 2001

I was visiting a dear Palestinian Muslim friend in Jerusalem some years ago during the first intifada.

Islam Hijacked

Published on September 27, 2001

The queries have come in steadily since the great increase in suicide bombings by Muslim Palestinians during the past year, but since Sept. 11, they have come virtually non-stop.