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The distinction between Judaism & Jewishness in the former USSR is examined. In the USSR, the official Jewish identity is ethnic & not related to religious practice or affiliation. This distinction has allowed the survival of Jewishness despite the near destruction of the Judaic religion. Jewish life now faces the challenge of emigration that will appeal disportionately to the religious community & will likely leave the Jewish population increasingly less religious. Allowed self-determination, Soviet Jewry will likely create new expressions of Judaism & Jewishness & the lines between religion & ethnicity will become blurred, though will still remain much more distinct than in the West. 10 References. D. Generoli

Part I. The general background : The broader context of liberal religion -- Part II. The Abrahamic religions : Liberal Judaism -- Liberal Protestantism -- Liberalism in the Roman Catholic Church -- Liberal Islam

"Judaism and World Religions is essential for a Jewish theological understanding of the various issues in encounters with the other major religions. With passion and clarity, Brill argues that in today's world of strong religious passions and intolerance, it is necessary to go beyond secular tolerance toward moderate religious positions. Brill outlines strategies for Jews who want to remain true to traditional sources while interacting with the diversity of the world's religions. With insight and scholarship, Alan Brill crisply outlines the Jewish approaches to other religions for an age of globalization"--

Tyler reviews The Destructive Power of Religion: Violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam edited by J. Harold Ellens.

"A compelling look at today's complex relationship between religion and politics In his second book, bestselling author Charles Kimball addresses the urgent global problem of the interplay between fundamentalist Abrahamic religions and politics and moves beyond warning signs (the subject of his first book) to the dangerous and lethal outcomes that their interaction can produce. Drawing on his extensive personal and professional knowledge of, experience with and access to all three traditions, Kimball's explanation of the multiple ways religion and politics interconnect within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will illuminate the problems and give readers a hopeful vision for how to chart a safer course into a precarious future. Kimball is the author of When Religion Becomes Evil, one of the most acclaimed post 9/11 books on terrorism and religion Reveals why religion so often leads to deadly results The author has scholarly knowledge and expertise and extensive personal experience with the peoples, cultures, and leaders involved Readable and engaging, this book gives a clear picture of today's complex political and religious reality and offers hope for the future"--Provided by publisher

Foreword / Martin E. Marty -- Ad testimonium / Archbishop Desmond Tutu -- Preface / J. Harold Ellens -- Introduction / J. Harold Ellens -- The destructive power of religion / J. Harold Ellens -- The Bible made me do it / D. Andrew Kille -- The Quran, Muhammad, and Jihad in context / Charles T. Davis III -- Religious metaphors can kill / J. Harold Ellens -- The disarmament of God / Jack Miles -- The interface of religion, psychology, and violence / J. Harold Ellens -- The dynamics of prejudice / J. Harold Ellens -- Destructive and constructive religion in relation to shame and terror / Jack T. Hanford -- The role of self-justification in violence / LeRoy H. Aden -- Toxic texts / J. Harold Ellens -- Jihad in the Quran, then and now / J. Harold Ellens -- The myth of redemptive violence / Walter Wink -- Beyond just war and pacifism : Jesus nonviolent way / Walter Wink -- Fundamentalism, orthodoxy, and violence / J. Harold Ellens -- The myth of redemptive violence or the myth of redemptive love / Wayne G. Rollins -- Violence and Christ : God's crisis and ours / J. Harold Ellens -- Conclusion: Revenge, justice, hope, and grace / J. Harold Ellens

Early Judaism and early Christianity emerged during the Hellenistic and early Roman imperial era. They were, naturally, confronted with the Hellenistic and the Roman religion. The question therefore arose as to whether Jews or Christians were free to participate in religious activities alien to the religious heritage of their own. In his articles, Karl-Gustav Sandelin presents documentary material showing that this problem was a burning issue within Judaism from the beginning of the Hellenistic period until the end of the first century C.E. Several Jewish individuals converted to the Hellenistic or the Roman religion. Such behavior was also discussed and generally condemned, for example by the Books of Maccabees and authors such as Philo of Alexandria and Flavius Josephus. A similar problem is to be found in the New Testament, notably in the letters of Paul, especially in the First letter to the Corinthians and in the Revelation of John