Religion and science Books

Book SynopsisIn Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation, Bill Nye explains why race does not really exist; evaluates the true promise and peril of genetically modified food; reveals how new species are born, in a dog kennel and in a London subway; takes a stroll through 4.5 billion years of time; and explores the new search for alien life.

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Book SynopsisA bestselling author and rabbi’s profoundly affecting exploration of the meaning and purpose of the soul, inspired by the famous correspondence between Albert Einstein and a grieving rabbi.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Glenn Barenthin provides a new solution to a key question in the cognitive and evolutionary study of religion: why do humans cooperate? What led humans, uniquely among animals, to have large-scale civilizations with unprecedented cooperation? One explanation, propagated by the Big God Proponents (BGP), argues that a moralizing God is the crucial motivator for the pro-social behaviour necessary for large scale civilization. To explore this idea, Barenthin provides a critical assessment of the evidence provided by the BGP, and also discusses the place of God in our moral thinking. However, using evidence from anthropology, history, cognitive science, psychology and game theory, Barenthin presents a new theory: that the evolutionary pressures faced by our forebears paved the way for emerging humans to engage in what he terms thin cooperation'. This type of cooperation requires individuals to comprehend the reasons for their actions, and it is often done with others in mindTrade ReviewGlenn Barenthin’s book on human cooperation is a fascinating work. It is a terrific survey of modern evolutionary thinking about cooperation, showing how very dated are the myths of killer apes. Throughout there is discussion of the relevance of such science for religious thinking. Does morality demand a belief in a deity, or can the skeptic be as good a person as the Christian or Jew or Muslim? Barenthin’s conclusions are stimulating and pertinent. Highly recommended. * Michael Ruse, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy, Florida State University, USA *Table of ContentsList of Figures Foreword Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. Minds, Gods and Group Selection Theory 2. A Modest Proposal 3. Family Matters 4. From ‘Thin’ to ‘Thick Cooperation’ 5. How Does That Make Sense? 6. The Road to “Denmark” References Index

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Book SynopsisA textbook covering the issues, methods and relations between religion and science throughout history and up to the modern day. It also reviews relevant historical and philosophical background, showing, for example, that some ancient Christians speculated on how God might give order to history without having to intervene.Trade Review"This is a most impressive work by a recognized expert in science and religion. It is filled with genuine learning in natural science, Western theology, and world religions. Barnes work is informed by a vast amount of reading and research, but it is eminently readable and should appeal to a wide spectrum of potential readers, including not only students, scholars, and teachers, but also educated general readers. This innovative study is very well-written, comprehensive, and beautifully organized. From beginning to end it remains consistently interesting, provocative, and fair. I wish it had been available to me when I was teaching courses on science and religion." - John F. Haught, Woodstock Theological Center, USA"Understanding Religion and Science makes a significant contribution to the growing field of Science and a Religion by examining major questions about the relations of the two with attention to their respective goals and methods, and with exploration about where they might meet. Although Michael A. Barnes self-identifies as a theologian, the book would be a good choice not only for a Theology course but also for Religious Studies courses." - Anne M. Clifford, Msgr. James Supple Chair of Catholic Studies, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, USA'[It] introduces the debate clearly and in detail (without forcing a view of either belief or atheism)' Church Times, 23rd July 2010‘Michael Barnes's introduction to the debate carefully and systematically lays out the self-understanding of many in the scientific and religious communities in ways that make them comprehensible to the layman but in a sophisticated manner that will satisfy many who have been thinking about these issues throughout their lives.' -- TikkunBarnes offers a very helpful analysis of contemporary interactions... The book is well-written, historically informed and presents multiple points of view fairly. -- Journal of Church and State Volume 53 Issue 2, Spring 2011One rarely gets an overview that is fair to all sides. The best feature of Barness' book is that... it manages to bring together these different perspectives in a single book in a readable way. -- Temenos: Nordic Journal of Comparative Religion 47(1)Table of ContentsIntroduction; Section One - Method in Religion: Relations Between Faith and Reason; Section Two - The Method of Science: How Does It Arrive at Its Conclusions?; Section Three - God: What Sort of God Can Science Best Get Along With?; Section Four - Miracles: Does God Intervene in Natural Processes?; Section Five. Cosmic Evolution: How Did We Get Here? (1); Section Six - Biological Evolution: How Did We Get Here? (2); Section Seven - Human Nature: Who Are We?; Epilogue; Bibliography; Index.

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Book Synopsis

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