Humanist and secular alternatives to religion Books

Book SynopsisThe study of New Religious Movements (NRMs) is one of the fastest-growing areas of religious studies. This Handbook covers the current state of the field and breaks new ground. Its contributors are drawn equally from sociology and religious studies and include both established scholars and rising stars in the field. The core chapters deal with such central issues as conversion, the brainwashing debate, millennialism, and modernization. Another section deals with NRM subfields such as neopaganism, Satanism, and UFO religions. The final section considers NRMs in global perspective. CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2005

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Book SynopsisThis book is a translation of Aziz al-Azmeh's seminal work Al-'Ilmaniya min mandhur mukhtalif that was first published in Beirut in 1992.

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Book SynopsisEveryday Humanism seeks to move the discussion of humanism's positive contributions to life away from the macro-level to focus on the everyday, or micro-dimensions of our individual and collective existence. How might humanist principles impact parenting? How might these principles inform our take on aging, on health, on friendship? These are just a few of the issues around everyday life that needed interpretation from a humanist perspective. Through attention to key issues, the volume seeks to promote the value of humanism at the level of the ordinary, typical occurrences and conditions of our existence.Table of ContentsIntroduction SECTION I: BEING A HUMANIST 1. Humanism and the Problem of Fear Dale McGowan 2. Humanism and the Problem of Being Human Jennifer Michael Hecht, Columbia University 3. Humanism and Healthy Living Susan Rose and Katrina Scott, independent scholars, USA SECTION II: THE HUMANIST IN RELATIONSHIP 4. Coexistence Chris Stedman, Harvard University 5. The Expression of Love Anne Klaeysen, Columbia University 6. My Neighbor's Keeper? Humanism and Charity Anthony Pinn 7. Humanism's Obligation to the Next Generation Bob Bhaerman, independent scholar, USA 8. Humanism and Online Social Networking Jamila Bey, independent scholar, USA SECTION III: DOING HUMANISM 9. Community Greg Epstein, Harvard University 10. Humanist Ethics in Everyday Life Nigel Warburton, Open University, UK 11. An Ecological Turn Henk Manschot and Caroline Suransky, University of Humanistics, Netherlands 12. Politics and Political Life Andrew Copson, British Humanist Association 13. Political Involvement in a Troubled World Alan Tacca, journalist, Uganda

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Book SynopsisYoung people are doing faith differently. They are redefining community, ministry and ritual for a new era. In the face of planetary crisis, the next generation no longer see faith as a private matter, instead they are integrating it with activism and the need for systemic change. Influenced by the wealth of different teachings and traditions available around them, their identities are increasingly multifaceted and emphatically global. This collection of stories and interviews with young adults and their allies explores this new landscape, reflecting both the energy and inspiration of the next generation and the tremendous challenges they face. It points towards an exciting evolution in the way we are relating to the sacred.With stories from:Adam Bucko, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Kara Moses, Abbas Zahedi, Camille Barton, Bruna Kadletz, Dekila Chungyalpa, Matt Youde, Amrita Bhohi, Sun Kaur, and many others.With supporting stories from senior leaders including:His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Rabbi Laura Janner Klausner, Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh, and more.Table of ContentsTbc.

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Book SynopsisFunerals are among the most important life events in Western society, and fashioning a personalized ceremony for yourself or for a loved one is often the most meaningful way to celebrate the life of the deceased. For those wanting non-religious or secular funeral ceremonies, this step-by-step guide begins by identifying what you want from the funeral and showing how you can make it happen. With sections on society's views of mortality, our need for rituals and crafting the actual ceremony, this guide provides the tools and philosophy to understand, plan and tailor a funeral for individuals. Includes all the tools necessary for the creation of a ceremony, such as a Ritual Profiles, checklists, and many other handy resources.Trade ReviewJeltje Gordon-Lennox has captured every conceivable aspect of what makes a meaningful funeral ritual, and condensed it into an easily digestible and enjoyable format to read. It's hard to imagine you would need another resource than this one. It has everything, and it's so well done. -- Kyle Tevlin, I Want a Fun FuneralA modern and comprehensive guide for navigating the complex emotions and multitude of tasks related to the death of a loved one. Jeltje's practical approach includes a "ritual profile" and other thoughtful tools that help mourners bridge the gap between the past and the future by creating meaningful, healing and authentic experiences through the power of ceremony and ritual. -- Linda Stuart, Life-Cycle Celebrant, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaI find this book incredibly helpful as I return to parish ministry after a decade away. I can throw away my antiquated funeral resources and just use the creative process offered by Jeltje Gordon-Lennox. -- Rev. Sara G. Armstrong, Montezuma Valley Presbyterian ChurchInevitably, we all pass away. Whether the funeral we need to prepare is 2 months or 20 years away, or for ourselves or someone who died leaving no instructions, most of us are at a loss to know what to do. Jeltje slips her hand into yours and accompanies you, step by step, through the process of crafting rituals that honour life and relationships. This guide fills a huge void. It is equally useful for the deeply religious, those who claim no religion and those somewhere in-between. -- Suzanne P. de Boer, Educational Consultant for children with special needs, Modesto, California, USAEven young children understand the importance of commemorating a death with others. A friend and I once buried a baby bird that had fallen from its nest. We marked the spot with a lily and precious drops from our ice cream cones. With humility and care, this book brings us back to the authenticity of early funeral rituals. -- Mia Mohr, artivist with a transatlantic group of artists and lives in Talca, ChileTable of ContentsRitual Toolbox: List of Tools with Their Icons; List of Figures; Foreword by Margaret Holloway; Acknowledgements; Preface; Part I - MortaliTy; 1. My Death Waits; a) Notes on last wishes; 2. Gone Too Soon; a) Notes on ritual profile and strategy; Part II - our need for ritual; 3. The Sense of Ritual; a) Notes on repackaging ritual; 4. Preplanning Makes Sense; a) Seven destressing techniques; b) Questionnaire on my ritual profile; c) Coronach will; d) Inventory on ritual profilefor funerals; Part III - Crafting theceremony; 5. Planning the Ceremony; a) Toolbox for the planning phase; b) Notes on the pillars of ritual design; 6. Creating the Ceremony; a) Toolbox for the creating phase; b) Notes on rules for ritual design; 7.Realizing the Ceremony; a) Toolbox for the realizing phase; b) Notes on funerals for sensitive situations; Part IV - the FUTURE OF THE DeaD; 8. New Mourning; Glossary; Resources; a) Notes on mortality, illness and dying; b) Notes on solace for the bereaved; References; Index

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Book SynopsisJodocus Badius Ascensius (1462-1535) was a scholar and printer who played a central role in the flourishing of humanism and print culture in the French Renaissance. In a career spanning four decades, he was involved with the print publication of something approaching one thousand editions. He was known for the ''familiar'' commentaries he wrote and published as introductions to the major authors of Latin (and, less frequently, Greek) antiquity, as well as on texts by medieval and contemporary authors. His commentaries and prefaces document the early stages of French humanism, and his texts played a major role in forming the minds of future generations. This book provides an account of Badius''s contributions to pedagogy, scholarship, printing and humanist culture. Its main focus is on Latin language commentaries on classical texts. It examines Badius''s multiple roles in the light of changing conceptions of textual culture during the Renaissance. It also explores the wider context of tTable of Contents1. Jodocus Badius Ascensius: The Making of a Name ; 2. Self-Representation and Authorship ; 3. Defining Commentary ; 4. Badius and Textual Culture ; 5. The Commerce of Learning ; 6. Silvae morales (1492) ; 7. Badius's Commentary Editions: The Classical Poets ; 8. 'Morals and Letters' ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisFocusing on the crossover between the sacred and the secular, this volume gathers the work of media experts, religious historians, sociologists of religion, and authorities on American studies and art history. Topics range from Islam on the Internet to the quasi-religious practices of Elvis fans.Trade ReviewIt is diffucult to imagine that Hoover and Clark's collection will not work to inspire and encourage further research...The book should have considerable value to students of this field. -- Gustav Niebuhr Journal of the American Academy of ReligionTable of ContentsIntroduction: The Cultural Construction of Religion in the Media Age, by Stewart M. Hoover 1. Overview: The "Protestantization" of research into Media, Religion, and Culture, by Lynn Schofield Clark Part 1. Mediation in Popular Religious Practice 2. Protestant Visual Practice and American Mass Culture, by David Morgan 3. Believing in Elvis: Popular Piety in Material Culture, by Erika Doss Part 2. The Mediation of Religion in the Public Sphere 4. Public Art as Sacred Space: Asian American Community Murals In Los Angeles, by J. Shawn Landres 5. All the World's a Stage: The Performed Religion of the Salvation Army, 1880-1920, by Diane Winston 6. "Turn It Off!": TV Criticism in theChristian Century Magazine, 1946-1960, by Michele Rosenthal Part 3. Religion Made Public Through the Media 7. Between Objectivity and Moral Vision: Catholics and Evangelicals in American Journalism, by John Schmalzbauer 8. The Southern Baptist Controversy and the Press, by Mark G. Borchert Part 4. Implicit Religion and Mediated Public Ritual 9. Scapegoating and Deterrence: Criminal Justice Rituals in American Civil Religion, by Carolyn Marvin 10. Ritual and the Media, by Ronald L. Grimes Part 5. Explicit and Public Expression in New Media Contexts 11. Allah On-Line: The Practice of Global Islam in the Information Age, by Bruce B. Lawrence 12. Internet Ritual: A Case Study of the Construction of Computer-Mediated Neopagan Religious Meaning, by Jan Fernback 13. Religious Sensibilities in the Age of the Internet: Freethought Culture and the Historical Context of Communication Media, by David Nash Part 6. Specific Religions and Specific Media in National and Ethnic Contexts 14. Religious Television in Sweden: Toward a More Balanced View of Its Reception, by Alf Linderman 15. Religious to Ethnic-National Identities: Political Mobilization Through Jewish Images in the United States and Britain, 1881-1939, by Michael Berkowitz 16. Between American Televangelism and African Anglicanism, by Knut Lundby 17. "Speaking in Tongues, Writing in Vision": Orality and Literacy in Televangelistic Communications, by Keyan G. Tomaselli and Arnold Shepperson Contributors Index

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