- Overview
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This book, written by Oh Gangnam, a professor of comparative religion, seeks the true meaning of religion.
- Book Intro
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An intellectual adventure by comparative religion professor Oh Gangnam.
The looming possibility of a religious war has once again brought questions about religion to the forefront. On September 11, 2012, U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three other diplomats were killed in an attack by Islamic militants. As a response, U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers were deployed off the coast of Libya. A crisis was imminent. Arab countries in the Middle East and Africa, including Libya and Egypt, prepared anti-American demonstrations, and other Islamic countries throughout the world such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines followed suit. Why is it that religions, something that should provide comfort and peace to people and the world, are at the center of conflict? And will this religious dispute spill over into a world conflict? What exactly is religion?
This is a special lecture on religion that guides readers through a trail of enlightenment. In an era of paradox in which conflicts and wars thrive in the name of religion, Professor Oh Gangnam, the master of comparative religion, seeks the true meaning of religion through this book. Professor Oh begins with the question "Who is God?" and guides readers on a path of enlightenment through scathing critiques of exclusive religious attitudes and blind followers of scripture, as well as an intellectual adventure that leads to dialogue among varying religions. Oh is nearly flawless in his ability to break down the walls of blindness using an easy-to-understand style devoid of authority and obvious common sense thoughts.
- About the Author
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Oh Kangnam
Oh Gangnam is currently an emeritus professor of comparative religion at the University of Regina in Canada and frequently travels between North America and South Korea, writing and lecturing. He is also the chairman of Aha! Beyond Boundaries. Professor Oh obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees at the Department of Religious Studies of Seoul National University and received his doctorate degree in religious studies from McMaster University in Canada via his Study on Huayan Buddhist Philosophy of Causality. He served as a guest professor at Seoul National University and Sogang University as well as various universities in North America, the president of the North American chapter of the Korean Association for Religious Studies, and co-chairman of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) for Korean religions.
His works include Little Tao Te Ching, which is an interpretation of Laozi's philosophies, Jangja, No Such Jesus, World Religions, Buddhism through Other Religions, and Aha! Beyond Religion. His other books include Open Your Clenched Fist, which delves into Oh's own enlightenment regarding life and religion, and Oh Gangnam's Story of Christianity.
