Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself

In this accessible exploration of how faith in God can determine and influence personality, Hartman (The Boundaries of Judaism) successfully engages with what he believes to be the most fundamental question of our time. He notes that the causes of the world%E2%80%99s great conflicts have begun to shift from %E2%80%9Cnational and secular%E2%80%9D politics to religious ones. Given this, Hartman wonders whether religion actually makes believers treat others with more compassion and kindness. Despite his own deep commitment to Judaism, the rabbi does not flinch from exposing many examples, including some from the Bible, that argue against the idea of religion as a force for good. Using his own religion as his lens, Hartman analyzes the phenomena he labels God Intoxication and God Manipulation; in the former, obsession with paying attention to the divine leaves %E2%80%9Cless room... to be aware of the human condition,%E2%80%9D and in the latter, %E2%80%9CGod is drafted in the service of human self-interest%E2%80%9D to advance an individual%E2%80%99s personal interests and agendas. Hartman makes a powerful case that believers should both judge the word of God and %E2%80%9Cbe inspired and instructed%E2%80%9D by it, and that putting people first is the real way to follow the divine will. (Feb.)