WorldPerfect: The Jewish Impact on Civilization

WorldPerfect: The Jewish Impact on Civilization

• Used Book in Good Condition

<P>In pursuit of an answer to the question of what would constitute a perfect world, author Ken Spiro questioned more than 1,500 people of various backgrounds and religions. His findings revealed six core elements: Respect for human life; peace and harmony; justice and equality; education; family; and social responsibility. He then set off on a journey to find out <SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic">why</SPAN> these were such common goals across cultural, economic, social and racial lines, and in the process, traced the history of the development of world religions, values and ethics. </P> <P>As a rabbi, he paid particular attention to how Judaism impacted, and was influenced by, the course of these developments. The result is a highly readable and well-documented book about the origins of values and virtues in Western civilization as influenced by the Greeks, Romans, Christians, Muslims and, most significantly, the Jews.</P> <P>The history of religion, presented in Spiro’s highly readable style, is a fascinating and timely subject, especially in today’s volatile religious climate. Spiro divides his book into five engaging parts:</P> <UL><LI>Where the Quality of Mercy Was Not Strained: The World of Greece and Rome</LI> <LI>Against the Grain: The Jewish View</LI> <LI>A Father to Many Nations: Abraham and the Implications of Monotheism</LI> <LI>With Sword and Fire: The Rise of Christianity and Islam</LI> <LI>The New Promised Land: Impact of Judaism on Liberal Democracies</LI></UL> <P>Readers of all faiths will find that the elements of a perfect world can only be achieved by a common understanding of our mutual backgrounds and that our diverse religions are all merely branches growing from one single tree.</P>