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VIDEO: Interview with James Carroll about Christianity and Violence
Trinity Institute's Bob Scott talks with James Carroll, author, activist and former Catholic priest about religion and violence. Discusses Constantine's introduction of state power to the church, how the cross became a sword during the Middle Ages, and how this affects current conflicts between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
8 Comments
Thank you for sending this to me. I really enjoyed listening to him and the ideas that he spoke with ease and sincerity.
It didn't come up but what seemed lacking in what he was talking about was sin. Really the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Without sin then why would God send his son to die a violent death? And without sin since God had proclaimed everything "good", why then the hatred and seperation between people? And for that matter why so many different belief systems? God is the answer to the sin problem and one needs to acknowledge that we are all sinners. That was what was missing for me.
For me so much is explained by knowing that there is actually a deadly force that is loose in this world that works towards seperation from others and from God. Without knowing that I would wonder and worry about how I could possibly bring myself to worship a living powerful God that would allow horrible things to happen to those that are innocent and even those that are guilty.
What I did like is that he is honest that he didn't know or misunderstood how and when there was a real seperation between Jews and Christians. He really seems to me to be someone that has a deep faith in God and is really searching for meaning to what he sees making a difference in attitude regarding "others".
I did wonder how he thinks it all will end. Or does he even think along those lines?
He has trouble believing that God will end it all with violence.
I'm interested enough to now do a google search and learn more about him.
Alison
Thank you for sending this to me. I really enjoyed listening to him and the ideas that he spoke with ease and sincerity.
It didn't come up but what seemed lacking in what he was talking about was sin. Really the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Without sin then why would God send his son to die a violent death? And without sin since God had proclaimed everything "good", why then the hatred and seperation between people? And for that matter why so many different belief systems? God is the answer to the sin problem and one needs to acknowledge that we are all sinners. That was what was missing for me.
For me so much is explained by knowing that there is actually a deadly force that is loose in this world that works towards seperation from others and from God. Without knowing that I would wonder and worry about how I could possibly bring myself to worship a living powerful God that would allow horrible things to happen to those that are innocent and even those that are guilty.
What I did like is that he is honest that he didn't know or misunderstood how and when there was a real seperation between Jews and Christians. He really seems to me to be someone that has a deep faith in God and is really searching for meaning to what he sees making a difference in attitude regarding "others".
I did wonder how he thinks it all will end. Or does he even think along those lines?
He has trouble believing that God will end it all with violence.
I'm interested enough to now do a google search and learn more about him.
Alison
Very insightful talk. James Carroll puts it so nicely how we fail to understand the feelings of other religions. Explains how historical events contributed to the thinking of believers.
Rightly told about gospel stories “Every story is a story about conflict”
Thanks for posting
Very insightful talk. James Carroll puts it so nicely how we fail to understand the feelings of other religions. Explains how historical events contributed to the thinking of believers.
Rightly told about gospel stories “Every story is a story about conflict”
Thanks for posting
I was so interested in learning more about James Carroll that I ordered his book;
An American Requiem God, My Father, and the War that Came Between Us.
I've just read a few pages and already I know this is going to be a book that really holds my interest. Another story about how war can change how people look at family, society and religion.
I was so interested in learning more about James Carroll that I ordered his book;
An American Requiem God, My Father, and the War that Came Between Us.
I've just read a few pages and already I know this is going to be a book that really holds my interest. Another story about how war can change how people look at family, society and religion.
You might also be interested in his documentary "Constantine's Sword" – https://religiousliberty.tv/2008/06/film-reviewwatch-video-trailer-constantines-sword-discusses-state-use-of-religious-power/