Book Reviews: Religious Philosophy & the Philosophy of Religion
What is religion? Does religion serve any social or psychological purposes - and if so, how? These are just a few of the questions asked in the philosophy of religion. Studying religious philosophy is important for anyone hoping to learn more about religion generally - here you can find out about some recent books on the subject and whether they are worth buying.
Why We Believe What We Believe: Uncovering Our Biological Need for Meaning
One of the most fundamental questions in philosophy and religion is about the nature of reality. Given that we only have access to reality through our ability to conceptualize that reality, perhaps an even more fundamental question might be how and why we believe the things we do. Where do beliefs come from, how do they form, and how can we reliably match those beliefs to the reality we are trying to understand, navigate through, and simply survive in?
One of the most fundamental questions in philosophy and religion is about the nature of reality. Given that we only have access to reality through our ability to conceptualize that reality, perhaps an even more fundamental question might be how and why we believe the things we do. Where do beliefs come from, how do they form, and how can we reliably match those beliefs to the reality we are trying to understand, navigate through, and simply survive in?
Sin and Salvation in the World Religions
The concepts of sin and salvation belong principally to Christianity, but do other world religions have similar ideas? As a matter of fact they do, and comparing these concepts to one another can provide an interesting and revealing perspective on these religions as well as their various doctrines.
The concepts of sin and salvation belong principally to Christianity, but do other world religions have similar ideas? As a matter of fact they do, and comparing these concepts to one another can provide an interesting and revealing perspective on these religions as well as their various doctrines.
True Religion
Religion, particularly forms of religion that are fundamentalist or fervent in nature, have experienced explosive growth in recent decades. Many have found this to be strange, considering that great scientific, social, and political progress made made in secular circles. What could be going on? What are people looking for that they don't find in secularism?
Religion, particularly forms of religion that are fundamentalist or fervent in nature, have experienced explosive growth in recent decades. Many have found this to be strange, considering that great scientific, social, and political progress made made in secular circles. What could be going on? What are people looking for that they don't find in secularism?
The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of UFO Religions
Recent years have seen a great deal of growth in what might be called "UFO religions." These are faith communities based not upon gods or demons, but rather aliens and flying saucers. Followers of these religions haven't exactly displaced traditional religions, but their influence on society has grown - and who knows what the future might bring?
Recent years have seen a great deal of growth in what might be called "UFO religions." These are faith communities based not upon gods or demons, but rather aliens and flying saucers. Followers of these religions haven't exactly displaced traditional religions, but their influence on society has grown - and who knows what the future might bring?
The Impossibility of God
Does God exist? There's a great deal of debate on this question and theologians have spent hundreds of years developing many sophisticated (and some not so sophisticated) arguments purporting to prove that their god definitely exists. Nonbelievers have been at work on the matter for far less time, but they have a great deal to show for their efforts.
Does God exist? There's a great deal of debate on this question and theologians have spent hundreds of years developing many sophisticated (and some not so sophisticated) arguments purporting to prove that their god definitely exists. Nonbelievers have been at work on the matter for far less time, but they have a great deal to show for their efforts.
The Handy Religion Answer Book
Understanding religion, both generally and specific religious beliefs, is an important key to understanding human culture and history. Religion is simply too fundamental to what people believe and how they act for it to be ignored or dismissed. Unfortunately, there are so many religious traditions that it is difficult for one person to reach a decent understanding of even most of the major ones.
Understanding religion, both generally and specific religious beliefs, is an important key to understanding human culture and history. Religion is simply too fundamental to what people believe and how they act for it to be ignored or dismissed. Unfortunately, there are so many religious traditions that it is difficult for one person to reach a decent understanding of even most of the major ones.
The Ecumenical Cruise and Other Philosophy Tales
Most books on philosophy and theology either take the historical approach by explaining ideas as they developed chronologically, or take a topical approach by explaining ideas in specific groups. Both approaches have a tendency towards being dry, as can be the case in any attempt to explain or explore abstract ideas. Every once in a while someone comes along who does things differently.
Most books on philosophy and theology either take the historical approach by explaining ideas as they developed chronologically, or take a topical approach by explaining ideas in specific groups. Both approaches have a tendency towards being dry, as can be the case in any attempt to explain or explore abstract ideas. Every once in a while someone comes along who does things differently.
Transcendental Temptation
Is there some connection between religious beliefs and paranormal beliefs? Some commonality which helps explain not only their similarities, but also why they have been appealing to people throughout human history? Although there are many books which offer critiques of either religion or the paranormal, few are willing to do both.
Is there some connection between religious beliefs and paranormal beliefs? Some commonality which helps explain not only their similarities, but also why they have been appealing to people throughout human history? Although there are many books which offer critiques of either religion or the paranormal, few are willing to do both.
Seven Theories of Religion
I have found that many people who study religion and religious history don't also spend enough time reading about the theories of religion - why religion exists, how it developed, what needs it serves, etc. Most of what people know about Freud's or Marx's ideas seem to stem from crass popularizations and this leads to errors.
I have found that many people who study religion and religious history don't also spend enough time reading about the theories of religion - why religion exists, how it developed, what needs it serves, etc. Most of what people know about Freud's or Marx's ideas seem to stem from crass popularizations and this leads to errors.
Naturalism and Religion
What provides the best framework for understanding life and the universe? Is it a religion which relies upon the premise that a supernatural realm or being exists, or rather a thoroughly secular worldview which employs naturalism in science, ethics and politics? That is the question which Kai Nielsen addresses in his recent book, "Naturalism and Religion."
What provides the best framework for understanding life and the universe? Is it a religion which relies upon the premise that a supernatural realm or being exists, or rather a thoroughly secular worldview which employs naturalism in science, ethics and politics? That is the question which Kai Nielsen addresses in his recent book, "Naturalism and Religion."
How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science
Belief in a god is ubiquitous in America today. Given that such belief has been integral to society and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future, it is worth asking: why do people believe and how does that belief proceed? Why do people retain their religion instead of abandoning it?
Belief in a god is ubiquitous in America today. Given that such belief has been integral to society and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future, it is worth asking: why do people believe and how does that belief proceed? Why do people retain their religion instead of abandoning it?
God: A Guide for the Perplexed
Does God exist? If so, what is "God," what does God want and how do we know? If not, why do so many people believe anyway? The search for God - or at least the roots of belief in God - is one of the most divisive and perplexing projects in human culture. Is there any hope at it being resolved?
Does God exist? If so, what is "God," what does God want and how do we know? If not, why do so many people believe anyway? The search for God - or at least the roots of belief in God - is one of the most divisive and perplexing projects in human culture. Is there any hope at it being resolved?
Religion and Violence: Philosophical Perspectives
Although it is clear that religion can play an important role in the cause or at least the intensification of violence, could religion and religious language serve a useful purpose in understanding violence and the violent tendencies in both individuals humans and human social groups?
Although it is clear that religion can play an important role in the cause or at least the intensification of violence, could religion and religious language serve a useful purpose in understanding violence and the violent tendencies in both individuals humans and human social groups?
Global Philosophy of Religion: A Short Introduction
Does God exist? If so, is it possible for God to be male or female? Do we survive our physical deaths? What is religion and what purpose does it serve? Does life have any sort of meaning? All of these questions and more are topics in the philosophy of religion, the subject of the recent and worthwhile book 'Global Philosophy of Religion' by Joseph Runzo.
Does God exist? If so, is it possible for God to be male or female? Do we survive our physical deaths? What is religion and what purpose does it serve? Does life have any sort of meaning? All of these questions and more are topics in the philosophy of religion, the subject of the recent and worthwhile book 'Global Philosophy of Religion' by Joseph Runzo.