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Find books about General
and Comparative Religion at Powell's Books.
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Breaking
the Spell: Religion as a Natural
Phenomenon
by Daniel C.
Dennett
For a growing number of people, there
is nothing more important than religion.
It is an integral part of their marriage,
child rearing, and community. In this
daring new book, distinguished philosopher
Daniel C. Dennett takes a hard look at
this phenomenon and asks why. Where does
our devotion to God come from and what
purpose does it serve? Is religion a blind
evolutionary compulsion or a rational
choice? In Breaking the Spell,
Dennett argues that the time has come to
shed the light of science on the
fundamental questions of faith.
In a spirited narrative that ranges
widely through history, philosophy, and
psychology, Dennett explores how organized
religion evolved from folk beliefs and why
it is such a potent force today. Deftly
and lucidly, he contends that the "belief
in belief" has fogged any attempt to
rationally consider the existence of God
and the relationship between divinity and
human need.
Breaking the Spell is not an
antireligious screed but rather an
eyeopening exploration of the role that
belief plays in our lives, our
interactions, and our country. With the
gulf between rationalists and adherents of
"intelligent design" widening daily,
Dennett has written a timely and
provocative book that will be read and
passionately debated by believers and
nonbelievers alike.
Order
at Amazon Books -- Order
at Powell's Books
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A New Theory
of Religion
Religion is universal in human culture.
In this book, Guthrie provides a
provocative definition of religion in a
bold and persuasive new theory. Very
interesting.
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Christian
Persecution
Although you might not know it from
watching the evening news, persecution of
Christians is on the rise around the
world. This book documents the problem. A
disturbing discussion.
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On
Religion
Conventional wisdom recommends that we
not bring up religion in casual
conversation. The subject tends to
polarize people into believers and
skeptics. While one camp adduces little
more than personal experience in support
of their claims, the other is unwilling to
admit much beyond the revelations of
science. For Caputo, who infuses his
meditations on religion with ambiguity,
uncertainty, and hopefulness, neither
alternative is satisfactory. Caputo's book
is not the fodder of tired collegiate
debates; that is, it is neither a pro
forma defense of religious belief nor a
proof that God is not possible. It is a
slender volume that is full of insights
and an occasional touch of the
profound.
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Genesis of
Justice
Violence, lust, deception, murder,
incest, and vengeance: These are the
subjects of the biggest -- and perhaps the
juiciest -- bestseller of all time, the
Book of Genesis. It's oft-told
tales have inspired, cautioned, and
challenged humankind for generations. But
perhaps never before has anyone examined
these stories from a modern legal
perspective. Based on Alan Dershowitz's
class at Harvard Law School, The
Genesis of Justice shows how The Good
Book is also a law book.
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Books on Religion by Dr. Mortimer J.
Adler...
Truth in
Religion: The Plurality of Religions and
the Unity of Truth
and
How To
Think About God: A Guide for the
20th-Century Pagan
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