Religious Violence. From the Bible to Isis

This is a book that throws a new baffling light on the subject of holy war. There are many studies on this phenomenon based on historical political and sociological analyses; however this book suggests a different angle emphasizing the most specific and most determinant aspect of holy war: religion. This book is a journey in search of the spirituality of war a dimension which is a common heritage of nearly all cultures and religions. Through a wide outline on war spirituality from the Bible and the Quran crusaders and mujahidins samurais and Aztec priests it argues that war can be seen as a way of liberation for oneself and for others a way of mystical asceticism and introspection.