Dying for Heaven: Holy Pleasure and Suicide Bombers—Why the Best Qualities of Religion Are Also Its Most Dangerous.

In this provocative book, theologian Glucklich tries to understand one of the most unsettling and disturbing behavioral trends of our time. What makes suicide bombers tick? he asks. To answer, he examines the impetus behind religion (why be religious?) and explains what happens when religious feelings lead to self-destruction. Throughout, he maintains that it is crucial that society take religion seriously—that is, to take a scientific approach to it—and avoid oversimplification, especially when it comes to vilifying that which we don’t understand. He notes that, with the possible exceptions of certain European countries, religious activity is on the rise around the world, a development he attributes to religion’s tendencies not only to make people feel happier but to give them purpose and a sense of belonging. In a nutshell, “Religion makes us feel good.” Unfortunately, religious pleasure and spiritual devotion sometimes lead to bloodshed. So Glucklich discusses the destructive aspects of religion; that is, the various theories of the pleasure of group behavior and its consequences, and the surprisingly close linkage between heaven and violence. An important and enlightening book for a dangerous age.