Religion, Torture and the Liberation of God

If God can be used by the powerful to justify violence in the name of order, he can also be used by the weak to illuminate the position of the victims of political conflict. Religion, Torture and the Liberation of God explores the theological possibilities of a God who is a prisoner and a victim of torture. The book relocates God to the horrors of the military abuse of human rights in Chile and the systematic rape of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Aguilar argues that this theological exercise offers us new ways of understanding the abuse of power, whether it be the clerical abuse of children, violence against women, or homophobia. This examination of torture and rape becomes, through a theology of praxis and compliance, an examination of solidarity, love and affection. The book concludes with an exploration of the possibilities of a tortured God who liberates.

List of contents

Introduction: The Theologizing of Indecent Torturing 1. The Act of Torture and the Praxis of Theology 2. Torture and Beatitudes in Chile 3. Theological Reflections on Dungeons and Caves 4. A Tortured God that Liberates 5. The Hermeneutics of Torture and G.C. Spivak

About the author

Mario Aguilar is the director and a founding member of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics at the University of St Andrews. Aguilar's research includes what is considered to be the largest study of its kind, a ten-year research project (2007-2017) on religion and politics in Tibet. He is the author of numerous books, and the general editor of a three volume Handbook on Liberation Theology.

Product details

• Authors: Mario I Aguilar
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2021
• EAN: 9781138053311
• ISBN: 978-1-138-05331-1
• No. of pages: 116
• Series: Religion and Violence
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Religious writings, prayers, songbooks, religious meditations; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; History, RELIGION / General, RELIGION / Religion, Politics & State, RELIGION / Philosophy, Humanities