The Search for Truth about Islam: A Christian Pastor Separates Fact from Fiction

by Ben Daniel

Overview

Are Muslims infiltrating American society? What does Islam really teach about women's roles? Does the Qur'an condone violence? Presbyterian pastor Ben Daniel tackles common stereotypes and misconceptions that tend to define Islam in the popular imagination. Daniel also looks at Christianity's own history of violence and explores what he calls "the American cult of fear," particularly as it relates to the rise of Islamophobia in the United States. Blending travel narrative, interviews, and well-crafted storytelling, Daniel helps debunk the myths and put a human face on Islam in America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664237059
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	03/25/2013
Pages:	266
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ben Daniel is a Presbyterian minister in northern California. He has served on the board of Presbyterian Border Ministries and is a regular contributor to UPI's online religion and spirituality forum, as well as KQED FM, the largest NPR affiliate in the U.S. He is a graduate of Westmont College and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xiii

Part 1 The Keys to the Kingdom

Basics: What Is Islam? 1

1 The City of God 4

2 A Muslim Patriot Acts 19

Part 2 Islam in the Capital of the Birkenstock Nation

Basics: Who Is Allah? 29

3 Imam Zaid Shakir and the Education of American Muslims 32

4 A Jihad Grows in Berkeley (or Not) 47

Part 3 History

Basics: Who Was Muhammad? 61

5 From Muhammad of Mecca to Ray in San José 64

6 Cordoba and the Misappropriation of Memory 90

Part 4 Misconceptions

Basics: What Is the Qur'an? 109

7 Islam and Violence 112

8 Islam and Women 138

Part 5 The American Cult of Fear

Basics: What Are the Five Pillars? 161

9 Obsession versus Jesus Camp 165

10 Stealth Jihad 179

Conclusion: The Work Continues 200

Notes 203

Index 227

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A beautifully written corrective to fears about Islam. This book deserves wide readership among Christians and Muslims."
—J. Philip Wogaman, former Professor of Christian Ethics, Wesley Theological Seminary, and author of Christian Ethics, Second Edition: A Historical Introduction

"If you want to know the truth about Islam, be you Christian, Muslim or something else altogether, read this book. Daniel is more than just a Christian pastor counseling on 9/11. He is a brave, spiritual journeyman with a mighty pen."
—Asma Gull Hasan, author of Red, White & Muslim: My Story of Belief and American Muslims: The New Generation

"American readers would do well to join Ben Daniel on his journeys visiting Muslims here in the U.S. and those in the Middle East. This devoted Presbyterian minister confronts history and myth; he guides us through enlightening readings of the Qur'an and the Bible. The Search for Truth about Islam gives us hope for making peace."
—Maxine Hong Kingston, author of The Fifth Book of Peace and editor of Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace

Editorial Reviews

Daniel, a Presbyterian pastor from San Jose, Calif., challenges common negative myths in this basic introduction to Islam aimed at American readers. No single book on the subject could be entirely comprehensive, but Daniel makes an admirable effort, covering a wide range of topics, from the five pillars of Islam to brief factual overviews of the history of Yemen or Moorish Cordoba; in addition, he seeks out prominent Muslim figures from Jerusalem to Berkeley, Calif., and interviews them about what Islam means to them. Daniel isn’t treading new ground here, but his status as a pastor adds credibility for his intended audience, as does his trip to Jerusalem to find common ground between Muslims and Christians. The book is particularly strong when Daniel draws on similarities, both positive or negative, to equate violent connotations of jihad with militant Christian hymns, or to compare the status of women in the Qur’an and the Bible. Readers with any background in Islam will find this overly basic, but those looking for a basic introduction and a refutation of common stereotypes will welcome Daniel’s straightforward prose and friendly, approachable tone. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"A beautifully written corrective to fears about Islam. This book deserves wide readership among Christians and Muslims."
—J. Philip Wogaman, former Professor of Christian Ethics, Wesley Theological Seminary, and author of Christian Ethics, Second Edition: A Historical Introduction

"If you want to know the truth about Islam, be you Christian, Muslim or something else altogether, read this book. Daniel is more than just a Christian pastor counseling on 9/11. He is a brave, spiritual journeyman with a mighty pen."
—Asma Gull Hasan, author of Red, White & Muslim: My Story of Belief and American Muslims: The New Generation

"American readers would do well to join Ben Daniel on his journeys visiting Muslims here in the U.S. and those in the Middle East. This devoted Presbyterian minister confronts history and myth; he guides us through enlightening readings of the Qur'an and the Bible. The Search for Truth about Islam gives us hope for making peace."
—Maxine Hong Kingston, author of The Fifth Book of Peace and editor of Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace

From the Publisher

05/01/2014
This mix of travelog and a comparative study of religion features genial humor and a gentle corrective to misperceptions surrounding Islam.

Library Journal