The Battle For God by Karen Armstrong
- 1. The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by Karen Armstrong is a profound exploration of the rise of fundamentalism across the world's three major monotheistic religions. In this compelling work, Armstrong traces the historical and cultural contexts that have led to the emergence of fundamentalist movements as reactions to modernity and secularism. She delves into the origins and evolution of fundamentalism, highlighting how it seeks to reclaim a sense of identity and purpose in a rapidly changing world. By examining texts, doctrines, and the lives of significant religious figures, Armstrong illuminates the complexities and nuances of faith as it interacts with contemporary societal challenges. This book serves as a crucial reflection on the nature of belief, the struggles between tradition and modernity, and the ways in which different religious communities navigate their roles in today's globalized environment. Through her empathetic narrative, Armstrong invites readers to understand the motives and aspirations of fundamentalists, arguing that they are not merely reactionary but rather are driven by deep-seated fears and desires for security and meaning in an increasingly unpredictable world.
What is the primary subject of Karen Armstrong's 'The Battle for God'?
A) The rise of fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
B) The conflict between science and religion
C) A history of atheism in the 20th century
D) A biography of prominent religious leaders
- 2. Armstrong argues that fundamentalism is primarily a reaction against what?
A) Economic inequality
B) Other religions
C) Modernity and secularism
D) Ancient traditions
- 3. What does Armstrong identify as the 'logos' of a society?
A) The sacred texts of a religion
B) The system of government
C) The artistic and cultural output
D) The pragmatic, rational, and scientific mode of thought
- 4. Armstrong suggests that the pre-modern world generally maintained a balance between what?
A) Wealth and Poverty
B) Mythos and Logos
C) Church and State
D) War and Peace
- 5. Which event does Armstrong cite as a major catalyst for Christian fundamentalism in the US?
A) The Scopes Monkey Trial
B) The American Civil War
C) The Second Vatican Council
D) The publication of Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'
- 6. What 1979 event is highlighted as pivotal for the rise of Islamic fundamentalism?
A) The Iranian Revolution
B) The Suez Crisis
C) The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
D) The Six-Day War
- 7. For Jewish fundamentalists, what is the central, divinely promised possession?
A) The Temple
B) The Land of Israel
C) The Torah
D) The city of Jerusalem
- 8. According to Armstrong, how do fundamentalists typically view secular governments?
A) As divinely ordained
B) As irrelevant to spiritual life
C) As illegitimate and often satanic
D) As necessary partners
- 9. Which group does Armstrong use as a key example of Jewish fundamentalism?
A) Hassidic Jews in New York
B) The Reform Movement
C) Gush Emunim
D) The Jewish Bund
- 10. What does Armstrong identify as a key factor in the rise of the Sunni fundamentalist group, the Muslim Brotherhood?
A) Opposition to Western colonialism and influence
B) The discovery of oil
C) The teachings of a single charismatic leader
D) A reaction to the Iranian Revolution
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