Book Reviews: Religion, Religious Beliefs, Religious History
Religion is an important aspect of human culture and history - indeed, one can argue that it isn't possible to really understand culture and history without also understanding religion. There are many books published each year dealing with religion, religious history and religious issues. Archived here are reviews of books which tend to take a skeptical or scholarly perspective on religion, past and present.
Jealous Gods and Chosen People: The Mythology of the Middle East
A significant percentage of people in the world belong to one of the three major religions that originated in the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A significant percentage of the world's violent conflicts also originate in the Middle East as well as between these three religions. It follows, then, that understanding these religions and the conflicts they generate can be aided by a better understanding of the ancient religions and cultures they grew out of.
A significant percentage of people in the world belong to one of the three major religions that originated in the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A significant percentage of the world's violent conflicts also originate in the Middle East as well as between these three religions. It follows, then, that understanding these religions and the conflicts they generate can be aided by a better understanding of the ancient religions and cultures they grew out of.
Historical Atlas of the Holy Lands
The history of the Bible takes place in a region known as the Fertile Crescent, an area in the Middle East where the land's fertility was high enough to allow for the development of some of humanity's earliest sedentary civilizations. Because of the religious significance of the cities and places, it's also known as the Holy Land to many believers around the world.
The history of the Bible takes place in a region known as the Fertile Crescent, an area in the Middle East where the land's fertility was high enough to allow for the development of some of humanity's earliest sedentary civilizations. Because of the religious significance of the cities and places, it's also known as the Holy Land to many believers around the world.
Spiritual Clarity, by Jackie Wellman
The popularity of religion is undeniable, but why does religion have such a hold on people, and is its appeal justified? Many try to better understand the nature of religion and whether there is anything of substance behind the curtain - but not enough, frankly. Most people seem content to accept what religious leaders tell them...
The popularity of religion is undeniable, but why does religion have such a hold on people, and is its appeal justified? Many try to better understand the nature of religion and whether there is anything of substance behind the curtain - but not enough, frankly. Most people seem content to accept what religious leaders tell them...
Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith
Atheists tend to live removed from religious communities; because of this, we never get a chance to see some of the conflicts, controversies, and problems which arise within the life of a church. Occasionally, books and articles appear which give us an opportunity to do so, and Nora Gallagher's 'Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith' might serve as one of them.
Atheists tend to live removed from religious communities; because of this, we never get a chance to see some of the conflicts, controversies, and problems which arise within the life of a church. Occasionally, books and articles appear which give us an opportunity to do so, and Nora Gallagher's 'Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith' might serve as one of them.
The Case for Religion, by Keith Ward
Religion is ubiquitous in human culture. People look upon religion as a source of inspiration, comfort, and meaning; in practice, it also serves as a source for division, hatred, and cruelty. Can a case be made for holding on to religion, despite all its problems? Can it be argued that religion is a reasonable, rational aspect of human life?
Religion is ubiquitous in human culture. People look upon religion as a source of inspiration, comfort, and meaning; in practice, it also serves as a source for division, hatred, and cruelty. Can a case be made for holding on to religion, despite all its problems? Can it be argued that religion is a reasonable, rational aspect of human life?
Divination and Healing: Potent Vision
Divination is normally thought of as attempts to tell the future, but it can also encompass any efforts to derive information from an unseen spiritual realm. In cultures all around the world divination has been used for diagnosing ailments, prescribing treatments, and solving all manner of problems. How does divination work in these situations and how effective is it?
Divination is normally thought of as attempts to tell the future, but it can also encompass any efforts to derive information from an unseen spiritual realm. In cultures all around the world divination has been used for diagnosing ailments, prescribing treatments, and solving all manner of problems. How does divination work in these situations and how effective is it?
Psychologial Roots Of Religious Belief
Belief in supernatural beings has been a part of nearly every human culture ever studied. Typically these beliefs have been integral parts of religions, but why exactly are they so common in the first place? Are they common because they are all true? Some might take this position, but scientists seek more substantive answers...
Belief in supernatural beings has been a part of nearly every human culture ever studied. Typically these beliefs have been integral parts of religions, but why exactly are they so common in the first place? Are they common because they are all true? Some might take this position, but scientists seek more substantive answers...
Stem Cell Controversy: Debating the Issues
The debate over stem-cell research may be one of the most important in modern society. On the one side are those who believe that it holds out the promise to cure or at least relieve some of humanity’s most terrible diseases. On the other side are those who insist that stem cells can only be collected by killing embryos - by murder.
The debate over stem-cell research may be one of the most important in modern society. On the one side are those who believe that it holds out the promise to cure or at least relieve some of humanity’s most terrible diseases. On the other side are those who insist that stem cells can only be collected by killing embryos - by murder.
The Religion Book: Places, Prophets, Saints, and Seers
The laws in most liberal, democratic nations are human laws - that is to say, they are self-consciously human creations for human needs in a human society. There was a time, though, when laws were treated as having divine origins, and there are people today who would like to change society into something which is once again regulated by God's laws...
The laws in most liberal, democratic nations are human laws - that is to say, they are self-consciously human creations for human needs in a human society. There was a time, though, when laws were treated as having divine origins, and there are people today who would like to change society into something which is once again regulated by God's laws...
Desert Patriarchy: Mormon and Mennonite Communities
Is there any connection between harsh desert environments and harsh patriarchal family forms? We can certainly see a correlation among the ancient Hebrews and in modern Saudi Arabia, but a similar convergence is located more accessibly in the Mexican desert region of Chihuahua.
Is there any connection between harsh desert environments and harsh patriarchal family forms? We can certainly see a correlation among the ancient Hebrews and in modern Saudi Arabia, but a similar convergence is located more accessibly in the Mexican desert region of Chihuahua.
New Religions: A Guide - New Religious Movements, Sects, Spirituality
The religious diversity of modern America is obvious to anyone who takes a look around, yet knowing that diversity exists and understanding what it means for society is another matter entirely. A first step towards that is a better understanding of how some of these new religions and new religious groups relate to one another and what they actually believe.
The religious diversity of modern America is obvious to anyone who takes a look around, yet knowing that diversity exists and understanding what it means for society is another matter entirely. A first step towards that is a better understanding of how some of these new religions and new religious groups relate to one another and what they actually believe.
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 Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Seasonal Holidays
Holidays are an important facet of human culture. Every society has had holidays of some sort because they serve to give meaning and structure to the passage of time. The age of so many holidays, however, means that they have acquired customs, rituals, and symbols that we don't understand. What do some of our favorite holidays and symbols mean. Should we even care?
Holidays are an important facet of human culture. Every society has had holidays of some sort because they serve to give meaning and structure to the passage of time. The age of so many holidays, however, means that they have acquired customs, rituals, and symbols that we don't understand. What do some of our favorite holidays and symbols mean. Should we even care?
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 Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca
What is Witchcraft? Is it related to Satanism? What is the origin of the Wiccan religion we see today? Is Wicca all about spell casting? Such questions are common from people unfamiliar with witches, witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism; fortunately, a recent book may help answer many of those inquiries.
What is Witchcraft? Is it related to Satanism? What is the origin of the Wiccan religion we see today? Is Wicca all about spell casting? Such questions are common from people unfamiliar with witches, witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism; fortunately, a recent book may help answer many of those inquiries.
Solstice Tree for Jenny
Christmas is prevalent throughout American culture. Everywhere you go, you can find Christmas greetings, Christmas decorations, Christmas displays, Christmas advertisements and more. All over people experience social and cultural pressures to "conform" and adopt this traditionally Christian holiday as their own, regardless of what their actual religious or cultural beliefs are.
Christmas is prevalent throughout American culture. Everywhere you go, you can find Christmas greetings, Christmas decorations, Christmas displays, Christmas advertisements and more. All over people experience social and cultural pressures to "conform" and adopt this traditionally Christian holiday as their own, regardless of what their actual religious or cultural beliefs are.
The Soul of Recovery
There are millions of people across America who have been addicted to one substance or another - and millions who have managed to kick their addiction. But what role have spiritual beliefs played in such recovery - is it a necessary condition for recovery, or just an incidental factor?
There are millions of people across America who have been addicted to one substance or another - and millions who have managed to kick their addiction. But what role have spiritual beliefs played in such recovery - is it a necessary condition for recovery, or just an incidental factor?
Religion for Dummies
Religions give people reasons for why they exist, but different religions give different reasons. Religions help people answer moral questions, but different religions provide different structures for understanding moral issues. There are a lot of similarities between religions, but also a lot of variation; as a result, it is necessary to get a good overview of how different religions work.
Religions give people reasons for why they exist, but different religions give different reasons. Religions help people answer moral questions, but different religions provide different structures for understanding moral issues. There are a lot of similarities between religions, but also a lot of variation; as a result, it is necessary to get a good overview of how different religions work.
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.
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.
The Quest for Paradise: Visions of Heaven and Eternity
Human cultures and religions exhibit a great deal of variation in doctrines and beliefs. However, there are also quite a few areas where they exhibit strong similarities - not at all surprising, if they are all created by humans for the purpose of addressing human needs. One of the areas where similarity can be found is in the desire for a "paradise," some perfect abode of happiness...
Human cultures and religions exhibit a great deal of variation in doctrines and beliefs. However, there are also quite a few areas where they exhibit strong similarities - not at all surprising, if they are all created by humans for the purpose of addressing human needs. One of the areas where similarity can be found is in the desire for a "paradise," some perfect abode of happiness...
Give Me That Online Religion
Religion is developing an increasing presence online, there is no question about that. But what does this development mean for religion and for the online world? That question isn't so easy to answer, but Barbara Brasher does explore the matter and attempts to give us an ideas of where the answer might lie.
Religion is developing an increasing presence online, there is no question about that. But what does this development mean for religion and for the online world? That question isn't so easy to answer, but Barbara Brasher does explore the matter and attempts to give us an ideas of where the answer might lie.
The Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Seasonal Holidays
Holidays are an ancient and important facet of human culture. Every society that we know about has had holidays of some sort because they serve to give meaning and structure to the passage of time. The great age of so many of our holidays, however, means that they have acquired many customs, rituals, and symbols that we simply don't understand anymore.
Holidays are an ancient and important facet of human culture. Every society that we know about has had holidays of some sort because they serve to give meaning and structure to the passage of time. The great age of so many of our holidays, however, means that they have acquired many customs, rituals, and symbols that we simply don't understand anymore.
Tortured Subjects: Pain, Truth, and the Body
Tortured Subjects: People may understand that torture was once used as a normal part of the legal process in Europe, but do people really understand how and why? Is it because the system had so little regard for human suffering? Is it because the system was simply sadistic? Or was there perhaps a better reason, one which appeared reasonable at the time?
Tortured Subjects: People may understand that torture was once used as a normal part of the legal process in Europe, but do people really understand how and why? Is it because the system had so little regard for human suffering? Is it because the system was simply sadistic? Or was there perhaps a better reason, one which appeared reasonable at the time?
Sacred Pain: Hurting the Body for the Sake of the Soul
Sacred Pain: For most people, pain is something to be avoided: it is a sign that something is wrong and that something needs to be fixed. But for a few people, at least some times, pain is something sought after. There are even religious reasons to seek pain and discomfort. But why would people do this? Are they insane, or do they know something the rest of us don't?
Sacred Pain: For most people, pain is something to be avoided: it is a sign that something is wrong and that something needs to be fixed. But for a few people, at least some times, pain is something sought after. There are even religious reasons to seek pain and discomfort. But why would people do this? Are they insane, or do they know something the rest of us don't?