Dangerous Ideas (SMR#237)

So what makes an idea genuinely dangerous?

This issue of St Mark’s Review covers a range of topics relevant to dangerous ideas: private religion; asylum seekers and refugees; new apocalyptic religious movements; the dark side of zeal for God; Christian ministry, competition and rivalry; loving terrorists; distortions of Christian beliefs. They take a variety of approaches to the theme of dangerous ideas: Bruce Stevens and Heather Thomson show in different ways how deeply held Christian beliefs (Stevens) and virtues (Thomson) are susceptible to manipulation and generate violence; Scott Cowdell brings the insights of René Girard to bear on the dangers inherent in the practice of ministry in a rivalrous and competitive culture; Ros Dalziell and Katherine Rainger address the topic of asylum seekers and refugees, drawing upon historical insights from novels (Dalziell) and contemporary film (Rainger); Bernard Doherty examines the negative influence of contemporary apocalyptic religion; Stephen Pickard considers the dangers inherent in private religion; and Geoff Broughton discusses the controversial imperative of Jesus regarding love of the enemy with special reference to the modern terrorist.