The Tenacity of Unreasonable Beliefs is a passionate yet analytical
critique of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural
fundamentalists. Schimmel examines the ways in which otherwise
intelligent and educated Jews, Christians, and Muslims defend their
belief in the divine authorship of the Bible or of the Koran, and
other religious beliefs derived from those claims, against
overwhelming evidence and argument to the contrary from science,
scholarship, common sense, and rational analysis. He also examines
the motives, fears, and anxieties of scriptural fundamentalists
that induce them to cling so tenaciously to their unreasonable
beliefs. Schimmel begins with reflections on his own journey from
commitment to Orthodox Judaism, through doubts about its
theological dogmas and doctrines, to eventual denial of their
truth. He follows this with an examination of theological and
philosophical debates about the proper relationships between faith,
reason, and revelation. Schimmel then devotes separate chapters to
Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural fundamentalism, noting
their similarities and differences. He analyzes in depth the
psychological and social reasons why people acquire, maintain, and
protect unreasonable religious beliefs, and how they do so.
Schimmel also discusses unethical and immoral consequences of
scriptural fundamentalism, such as gender inequality, homophobia,
lack of intellectual honesty, self-righteousness, intolerance,
propagation of falsehood, and in some instances, the advocacy of
violence and terrorism. He concludes with a discussion of why,
when, and where it is appropriate to critique, challenge, and
combat scriptural fundamentalists. The Tenacity of Unreasonable
Beliefs is thoughtful and provocative, written to encourage
self-reflection and self-criticism, and to stimulate and to
enlighten all who are interested in the psychology of religion and
in religious fundamentalism.
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