Empire of Sacrifice: The Religious Origins of American Violence

In this scholarly but generally readable monograph, Lutheran Theological Seminary professor Pahl traces the confluence of violence and religion in the United States. He argues with scholars who situate religious violence largely outside of American borders, claiming instead that it is a “recurrent feature in the formation and development of the United States.” Pahl emphasizes the ways in which, throughout U.S. history, the notion of “sacrifice” has rendered killing justifiable and even holy. Building on the work of theorists like René Girard and Mark Juergensmeyer, Pahl lays out four historical case studies—about youth, race, gender, and capital punishment—to develop his theory: “Americans have found ways to consider blessed some rather brutal attitudes and behaviors... in patterns that are identifiably religious.” His examination, in the epilogue, of the fusion of Christian symbols with military domination in the war on terror, while no longer a unique idea, is more extended and nuanced than most. Particularly helpful is Pahl’s term “innocent domination,” describing a cultural attitude that champions violent systems while remaining convinced of its own virtuous intent. (Feb.)