Taking Leave of Abraham: An Essay on Religion and Democracy

By Troels Norager

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son on God's command. This willingness symbolizes the violent potential of authoritarian religion and it can be seen today in suicide bombings and terror actions. The contemporary resurgence of radically conservative and fundamentalist religion raises the question whether this kind of God-relation is compatible with a commitment to liberal democracy? In this timely and original book Troels N rager provides an answer by integrating insights from philosophy of religion and political philosoply. In Part One, N rager surveys the interpretive history of Genesis 22, focusing in particular on Kierkegaard's ingenious attempt to save Abraham and his unquestioning faith. In Part Two, drawing on thinkers like John Rawls and J rgen Habermas, N rager argues that while religion can be accorded an important role in the public square, each religion and each believer must learn to appreciate that in a pluralist society the political sphere - with government, legal systemts, and public administration - is neutral towards religion and ultimately guided by secular reason. Taking Leave of Abraham is a call to embrace our post-secular modernity and not surrender to the demands of authoritarian religion.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0034AQ4R6
• ISBN13: 9788779344129
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Aarhus University Press
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.1"