Cambridge University Press Monotheism, Intolerance, and the Path to Pluralistic Politics

Discussions of monotheism often consider its bigotry toward other gods as a source of conflict, or emphasize its universality as a source of peaceful tolerance. Both approaches, however, ignore the combined danger and liberation in monotheism's 'intolerance.' In this volume, Christopher Haw reframes this important argument. He demonstrates the value of rejecting paradigms of inclusivity in favor of an agonistic pluralism and intolerance of absolutism. Haw proposes a model that retains liberal, pluralistic principles while acknowledging their limitations, and he relates them to theologies latent in political ideas. His volume offers a nuanced, evolutionary, and historical understanding of the biblical tradition's emergence and its political consequences with respect to violence. It suggests how we can mediate impasses between liberal and conservative views in culture wars; between liberal inclusivity and conservative decisionism; and, on the religious front, between apologetics for exclusive monotheism and critiques of its intolerance. Review ‘Christopher Haw’s apologia for monotheism provides a long overdue dialogue between René Girard’s mimetic theory and Jan Assmann’s political theory of polytheism. By building up on the best of both these two approaches he arrives at a deeper understanding of monotheism’s relation with violence. Relating this profound piece of political theology to the work of political theorist Chantal Mouffe opens a new perspective for a pluralistically open liberalism.’ Wolfgang Palaver, Fellow at STIAS (Stellenbosch, South Africa) Book Description Explores the dangers and benefits of monotheistic intolerance, interacting with scholars of monotheism, evolutionary theory, and agonistic pluralism. About the Author Christopher Haw is Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of Scranton.