Background
Mr. Kressel was born on August 28, 1957, in Newark, New Jersey, United States. He is a son of Morris Israel and Betty (Weiss) Kressel.
(What separates constructive religious impulses from destr...)
What separates constructive religious impulses from destructive ones? How does someone who begins by contemplating his relationship with God end by committing an act of murder? Some argue that religiously motivated evil always represents a corruption of true religion. Others are quick to suggest that religion itself—all religion—is the root of extremist violence. This is the first book to journey to the heart of religious militancy. Dr. Neil J. Kressel, who has spent decades researching genocide, terrorism, and anti-Semitism, brings to bear the insights of psychology and social science on this significant and critical problem. For those tired of simplistic bromides and obfuscating talk about the causes of religious terrorism, Kressel offers a clear and enlightening analysis of when and how religions become capable of inspiring evil. Specifically, he addresses the following key issues: Are some religions, religious doctrines, and religious practices more apt to inspire hatred and extremism than others? Are people who commit evil acts in the name of their faith always corrupting the true message of religion and, if so, what is that message? Do other members of the same faith bear any responsibility for misdeeds carried out in the name of their religion? Which sorts of people are most prone to extremism? Which types of societies are most likely to become breeding grounds for extremists? Can (or should) anything be done to combat the various forms of religious extremism? What limits, if any, can (or should) be placed on religious practice in America and elsewhere? Beyond analyzing the nature of religious militancy, Kressel offers sensible recommendations for addressing what is to date the 21st century’s most serious challenge.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591025036/?tag=2022091-20
(Mass Hate explores why the brutality of humankind erupted...)
Mass Hate explores why the brutality of humankind erupted and flowed more expansively in the twentieth century than ever before. Psychologist Neil Kressel recommends specific steps to help stem this bloody global tide of slaughter, terror and genocide. In his investigation, Kressel focuses on the horrifying butchery in Rwanda, the terrifying tactics of rape and torture of women in Bosnia, the systematic murder of Jews and others during the Holocaust. He examines history, psychology, and political science for explanations of what propels a citizen to raise a machete against innocent neighbors, and, in a moving conclusion, suggests practical ways for humankind to eradicate the causes of mass hate. Now included in the preface is a discussion of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, on New York and the Pentagon. Mass Hate explores why the brutality of humankind erupted and flowed more expansively in the twentieth century than ever before. Psychologist Neil Kressel recommends specific steps to help stem this bloody global tide of slaughter, terror and genocide. In his investigation, Kressel focuses on the horrifying butchery in Rwanda, the terrifying tactics of rape and torture of women in Bosnia, the systematic murder of Jews and others during the Holocaust. He examines history, psychology, and political science for explanations of what propels a citizen to raise a machete against innocent neighbors, and, in a moving conclusion, suggests practical ways for humankind to eradicate the causes of mass hate. Now included in the preface is a discussion of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, on New York and the Pentagon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813339510/?tag=2022091-20
(From the 1950s through the 1990s, antisemitism everywhere...)
From the 1950s through the 1990s, antisemitism everywhere seemed to be on the wane. But as Neil Kressel documents in this startling book, the Muslim world has resurrected in recent decades almost every diatribe that more than two millennia of European hostility produced against the Jews, and it has introduced many homegrown and novel modes of attack. Though it is impossible to determine precisely how many of the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims hold anti-Jewish beliefs, Kressel finds that much bigotry comes from the highest levels of religious and political leadership. Compounding the problem, as Kressel demonstrates, many in the West refuse to recognize this issue. The growing epidemic of hate has been largely ignored, misunderstood, or downplayed, Kressel reveals, because of apathy, ignorance, confusion, bigotry, ideology, purported pragmatism, and misguided multiculturalism. Those who value human rights ignore antisemitism at their own risk, he cautions, noting that no antisemitic regime or movement has ever been otherwise reasonable or progressive. Kressel argues convincingly that Muslim antisemitism provides an acid test of the seriousness of Western liberalism. If the West fails to stem this growing tide, as now seems likely, future affairs will not go well for the true proponents of democracy. Kressel moves beyond sounding the alarm to explore the diverse religious, political, social, and psychological forces that have created and nurtured the new hostility to Jews in the Muslim world; he concludes with a bold and clear plan for what must be done to confront this hostility. From the 1950s through the 1990s, antisemitism everywhere seemed to be on the wane. But as Neil Kressel documents in this startling book, the Muslim world has resurrected in recent decades almost every diatribe that more than two millennia of European hostility produced against the Jews, and it has introduced many homegrown and novel modes of attack. Though it is impossible to determine precisely how many of the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims hold anti-Jewish beliefs, Kressel finds that much bigotry comes from the highest levels of religious and political leadership. Compounding the problem, as Kressel demonstrates, many in the West refuse to recognize this issue. The growing epidemic of hate has been largely ignored, misunderstood, or downplayed, Kressel reveals, because of apathy, ignorance, confusion, bigotry, ideology, purported pragmatism, and misguided multiculturalism. Those who value human rights ignore antisemitism at their own risk, he cautions, noting that no antisemitic regime or movement has ever been otherwise reasonable or progressive. Kressel argues convincingly that Muslim antisemitism provides an acid test of the seriousness of Western liberalism. If the West fails to stem this growing tide, as now seems likely, future affairs will not go well for the true proponents of democracy. Kressel moves beyond sounding the alarm to explore the diverse religious, political, social, and psychological forces that have created and nurtured the new hostility to Jews in the Muslim world; he concludes with a bold and clear plan for what must be done to confront this hostility.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1597977020/?tag=2022091-20
(Book by Kressel, Neil)
Book by Kressel, Neil
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557784523/?tag=2022091-20
Mr. Kressel was born on August 28, 1957, in Newark, New Jersey, United States. He is a son of Morris Israel and Betty (Weiss) Kressel.
Neil Kressel earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Brandeis University, both in 1978. In 1981 he received Master of Arts from Harvard University. In 1983 he finished Harvard University with Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Mr. Kressel worked as a sophomore tutor at Harvard University, Cambridge, between 1979 and 1983. He was an assistant professor at William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, 1984-1993, chairman department psychology, 1992-1995, associate professor, 1993-1999, professor, since 1999, director of honorary program on social science, since 2005.
Neil J. Kressel was a fellow of Institute of Rational Emotive Therapy, New York City, from 1993 till 1994. Then he was appointed visiting associate professor at Yale University, Institute Social and Policy Studies. During 1989-1994 Mr. Kressel served as an adjunct associate professor of management at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey. He acted as an adjunct assistant professor at New York University, 1990-1991.
Since 1990 he occupied the position of a manuscript consultant of Political Psychology, New York City. He had a private practice as consulting psychologist starting from 1983.
Neil J. Kressel has written widely for popular, scholarly, and scientific publications as well as known as an author of a range of books. His work has been widely cited in print and online media, including Forbes.com, the Economist, Reader's Digest, the Washington Post, the New York Post, Slate.com, and elsewhere.
(What separates constructive religious impulses from destr...)
(Mass Hate explores why the brutality of humankind erupted...)
(From the 1950s through the 1990s, antisemitism everywhere...)
(A new and largely hidden profession has emerged durin...)
(Book by Kressel, Neil)
Quotations: "'Truth even unto its innermost parts’ is the motto of Brandeis University, my undergraduate alma mater. It still seems like a good guiding principle. In my work, I try to resist the popular media’s tendencies toward simplistic answers and the academic profession s fixation on jargon and minutiae."
Married Dorit Fuchs, August 11, 1991. Children: Samuel Warren, Hannah Ya'el, Noah Morris, Leah Ruth.
