Can faith and violence exist side by side? Do the faithful indulge in violence? Much more often than not, says Thomas Merchant in this book. Merton says the population of an affluent world is nourished by a steady diet of brutal mythology and hallucinations.

AS WITH MOST OF MERTON'S BOOKS A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS/THOUGHTS ON A FOCUSED SUBJECT, IN THIS CASE VIOLENCE AND THE RELIGIOUS MAN'S OR RELIGION'S RESPONSE TO IT. HE REMINDS US WHAT OUR ROLE SHOULD BE AGAINST VIOLENCE AND THAT WE DO HAVE A PART TO PLAY ( )