Fighting Words: Religion, Violence, and the Interpretation of Sacred Texts

Title Page, Copyright

Fighting Words This page intentionally left blank Fighting Words Religion, Violence, and the Interpretation of Sacred Texts Edited by John Renard University of California Press Berkeley Los Angeles London University of California Press, one of the most distinguished university presses in the United States, enriches lives around the world by advancing scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its activities are supported by the UC Press Foundation and by philanthropic contributions from individuals and institutions. For more information , visit www.ucpress.edu. University of California Press Berkeley and Los Angeles, California University of California Press, Ltd. London, England© 2012 by The Regents of the University of California Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Fighting words : religion, violence, and the interpretation of sacred texts / edited by John Renard.  ​ ​ ​ ​ p. ​ ​ cm.  ​ ​Includes bibliographical references and index.  ​ ​ isbn 978-0-520-25831-0 (cloth : alk. paper) — ​ isbn 978-0-520-27419-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ​ isbn 978-0-520-95408-3 (ebook) 1. Violence—Religious aspects. 2. Sacred books—History and criticism. 3. Religions—Relations. I. Renard, John, 1944– bl65.v55f64 2012 201'.76332—dc23 2012029403 Manufactured in the United States of America 21 ​ ​ 20 ​ ​ 19 ​ ​ 18 ​ ​ 17 ​ ​ 16 ​ ​ 15 ​ ​ 14 ​ ​ 13 ​ ​ 12 10 ​ ​ 9 ​ ​ 8 ​ ​ 7 ​ ​ 6 ​ ​ 5 ​ ​ 4 ​ ​ 3 ​ ​ 2 ​ ​ 1 In keeping with a commitment to support environmentally responsible and sustainable printing practices, UC Press has printed this book on 50-pound Enterprise, a 30% post-consumer-waste, recycled, deinked fiber that is processed chlorine-free. It is acid-free and meets all ansi/ niso (z 39.48) requirements. ...