Roman Catholics and Shi'i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics

by James A. Bill, John Alden Williams

Overview

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This timely work explores two influential religious traditions that might seem to have little in common: Twelver Shi'i Islam and Roman Catholicism. With the worldwide rise of religious fundamentalism, it is imperative that religious movements such as Christianity and Islam begin working harder to understand one another's history and beliefs. Myths and misunderstandings continue to prevail, and observers tend to focus on the differences between the two faith systems.

Without denying these differences, the authors of this book reveal a number of interesting linkages between Roman Catholicism and Twelver Shi'ism. They compare the histories of the two faiths, consider parallels between important figures in each, and highlight the doctrinal, structural, and sociopolitical similarities they share. Balanced in tone and carefully researched, the book helps explain the essence of both traditions while enriching our understanding of each.

There are an estimated 140 million Twelver Shi'is in the world today. The highest percentages live in Persian Gulf countries, including Iran and Iraq, and in Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. Sizable numbers also inhabit Pakistan, India, and Turkey. The largest Christian denomination, Roman Catholicism is present across the globe, though its population of more than one billion people is concentrated in North and South America and in Europe.


"At once probing, sympathetic, learned, and insightful. . . . A trustworthy and timely work that will reward frequent use by anyone interested in the shape and future of religion in the modern world.--Middle East Insight

"Such a timely perspective could save the zealots on both sides, at least from themselves.--Times Literary Supplement

"A book that should be widely read and discussed. . . . [A] fascinating study. May it be granted the reception in popular as well as international academic circles that it richly deserves.--Middle East Policy

"Each chapter is loaded with stimulating gems.--Publishers Weekly

This comparative look at Roman Catholicism and Twelver Shi'i Islam focuses on the linkages between these two religions rather than on the seemingly intractable differences between them. The authors compare the histories of the two faiths, consider parallels between important figures in each, and highlight the doctrinal, structural, and sociopolitical similarities they share. Balanced in tone and carefully researched, the book helps explain the essence of both traditions while enriching our understanding of each.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807854990
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	08/25/2003
Edition description:	1
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

James A. Bill is Reves Professor of International Studies and Government at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. His books include the award-winning The Eagle and the Lion: The Tragedy of American-Iranian Relations.

John Alden Williams, a historian of Islamic civilization and religion, is Kenan Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Humanities in Religion at the College of William and Mary. His books include The Word of Islam.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Note on Transliteration
Introduction: Two Great Religious Civilizations
1 Roman Catholicism and Twelver Shiism
2 The Story of the People of the House
3 Sacred Actors and Intercessors
4 Redemptive Suffering and Martyrdom
5 Catholic Mystics and Islamic Sufis: The Confluence of Experience
6 Law and the State
7 Authority, Justice, and the Modern Polity
Conclusion: The Comparative Politics of Religion
Notes
Glossary of Shii Terms
Select Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This readable and pedagogically useful comparative survey . . . is an essential library acquisition. . . . A must for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in Islam and comparative religion.—Choice



The comparison between the liberation theology of both traditions brings the discussion up to date, and is elegantly and usefully done. . . . Such a timely perspective could save the zealots on both sides, at least from themselves.—Times Literary Supplement



A book as well written as it is timely. . . . Readers seeking to better understand Islam will be particularly rewarded by the second chapter's sensitive, succinct introduction to Shia. . . . A valuable resource for students and general readers alike.—Booklist



Any attempt at comparing religions as disparate as Catholicism and Islam is praiseworthy but difficult. . . . Fortunately, with careful work and a fluid writing style, [Bill and Williams] succeed. . . . By pointing out similar theologies, polity, sacred intercessors, martyrdoms, and mysticism of these two faiths, the authors help us understand a much-misunderstood religion.—Library Journal



Each chapter is loaded with stimulating gems, exploring, for example, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter Fatima as the Islamic counterpart to the Virgin Mary, or the Iranian Revolution as a 'classic' class-warfare revolt on par with the French and Russian Revolutions.—Publishers Weekly



Remarkable. . . . A precise comparison of the striking similarities between Roman Catholicism and Shiite Islam is indeed groundbreaking work. . . . A book that should be widely read and discussed. . . . [A] fascinating study. May it be granted the reception in popular as well as international academic circles that it richly deserves.—Middle East Policy



At once probing, sympathetic, learned, and insightful. . . . Stands alone in its comprehensive, systematic, and nuanced treatment of each tradition. . . . A dependable set of parallel histories from an impressive range of examples. . . . With care and detail that will satisfy the specialist but not put off the general reader, [the authors] have identified key themes shared and contested between two powerful religious establishments. . . . A trustworthy and timely work that will reward frequent use by anyone interested in the shape and future of religion in the modern world.—Middle East Insight



This book could be used in both graduate and undergraduate courses that deal with Muslim-Christian relations, comparative religions, and Catholic Social Teaching.—Journal for Peace and Justice Studies



Balanced in tone and carefully researched, [this] book helps explain the essence of both traditions while enriching our understanding of each.—American Catholic Studies Newsletter



[The authors] bring considerable expertise to the study of mainline Twelver Shi'is.—Theological Studies

Editorial Reviews

[A] fascinating study. May it be granted the reception in popular as well as international academic circles that it richly deserves. ("Middle East Policy")

ÝA¨ fascinating study. May it be granted the reception in popular as well as international academic circles that it richly deserves. ("Middle East Policy")

A trustworthy and timely work that will reward frequent use by anyone interested in the shape and future of religion in the modern world. ("Middle East Insight")

A valuable resource for students and general readers alike. ("Booklist")

Each chapter is loaded with stimulating gems. ("Publishers Weekly")

Such a timely perspective could save the zealots on both sides, at least from themselves. ("Times Literary Supplement")

"Each chapter is loaded with stimulating gems."

From the Publisher