Our Christian Forefathers Revisited
I am reading this book called A History of God.
It was published in 1993, but I am only now getting around to reading it. It is interesting, but highly technical, so I find myself skimming some sections, such as the one about Islamic mysticism.
She brings up interesting things about many historical religious figures. The origins of Islam were very interesting and new to me. Here, though, is one thing she says about a hero to the protestant faith, Martin Luther:
...He remained a disturbed, angry and violent man. All the major religious traditions claim that the acid test of any spirituality is the degree to which it has been integrated into daily life. As the Buddha said, after enlightenment one should "return to the marketplace" and practice compassion for all living beings. A sense of peace, serenity and loving-kindness are the hallmarks of all true religious insight. Luther, however, was a rabid anti-Semite, a misogynist, was convulsed with a loathing and horror of sexuality and believed that all rebellious peasants should be killed.
