Letter: 'Shaking Hands with the Devil' is a powerful book on the scourge of terrorism

I am grateful to Patrick Roche for his compelling and timely article, “Moral blindness and hatred are deeply rooted in Irish nationalism” (News Letter, April 14 – the read the article, click here).

I was delighted to read his reference to the book by William J Abraham, Shaking Hands with the Devil – The intersection of Terrorism and Theology. It was published in 2013, though I did not come across it until about five years later.

I had known the Rev Billy Abraham since I was a teenager and he was one of my predecessors as the Methodist minister here in Cullybackey.

Since first reading Billy’s book I have recommended it to hundreds of people.

In one review I wrote I included this:

“This book is very powerful.

"It effectively addresses a number of important issues relating to the obscene scourge of terrorism around the world.

"One chapter in particular is outstanding and is in itself worth twice the price of the book. That is the chapter on forgiveness – The F-word. Having heard and read much on the subject over many years, this is the best I have found – both theologically and pastorally.”

Billy recounts the vicious murders of Marie Wilson (IRA/Enniskillen 1987) and Jenny Nicholson (Islamists/London 2005) and the widely reported responses of Marie’s dad, Gordon, and Jenny’s mum, Julie.

Reflecting on these parental responses, Billy writes: “They are not just visceral reactions; they are truth-detecting mechanisms.

"Just as our admiration detects the goodness of Gordon Wilson, so does the rage of Julie Nicholson detect the violation of the good in the murders of Marie and Jenny.

"Admiration and rage are both essential if we are to do justice to reality.”

The book is still in print and easily available – I commend it to all the readers of this newspaper.

Rev David Clements, Cullybackey