Religion and science Books

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Book SynopsisOver the last thirty years, humanity has discovered thousands of planets outside of our solar system. The discovery of extraterrestrial life could be imminent. This book explains how such a discovery might impact Islamic theology. It is the foundational reference on the subject, comprising a variety of different insights from both Sunni and Shi'i positions, from different Muslim contexts, and with chapters that compare and contrast Islamic perspectives with Christianity. Together, they address some of our biggest questions through an Islamic lens: What makes humans unique in the cosmos? What are the ethics of dealing with other sentient beings? And how universal is salvation? Given the accelerating advances in exoplanet research and astrobiology, the book is at the frontier of science and Islamic thought. Contributors include a range of leading experts from Muslim theologians, scholars of comparative religion and philosophers, to historians, social scientists and natural scientists.

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Book SynopsisIn Understanding Religion through Artificial Intelligence, Justin E. Lane looks at the reasons why humans feel they are part of a religious group, despite often being removed from other group members by vast distances or multiple generations. To achieve this, Lane offers a new perspective that integrates religious studies with psychology, anthropology, and data science, as well as with research at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI).After providing a critical analysis of approaches to religion and social cohesion, Lane proposes a new model for religious studies, which he calls the Information Identity System. This model focuses on the idea of conceptual ties: links between an individual's self-concept and the ancient beliefs of their religious group. Lane explores this idea through real-world examples, ranging from the rise in global Pentecostalism, to religious extremism and self-radicalization, to the effect of 9/11 on sermons. Lane uses this lens to show how we can Trade ReviewThroughout the book … Lane provides directions for future research … This book has significant inter-disciplinary implications as it widens the scope of the social sciences … it enriches the study of religion by reframing how the subject is approached scientifically and intrigues non-academic minds on how AI could facilitate our understanding of human religiosity. * Reading Religion *If you study religion, Justin E. Lane’s book will explain how AI is changing what’s possible in that endeavor. If you work in AI and computer simulation, you’ll discover how those tools can be deployed to deepen our understanding of religion. Either way, you’ve been warned: you’ll never look at AI or religion the same way again. * Wesley J Wildman, Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics, Boston University, USA *Justin E. Lane’s new book is the most comprehensive and clear introduction to the use of artificial intelligence in the computational science of religion currently available. Both lay readers and experts will benefit from his careful explanations of the various methodologies at work in this rapidly growing field, and his vivid descriptions of the ways in which they are informing our understanding of phenomena such as religious extremism and conflict. * F. LeRon Shults, Director, Social Simulation Research Group, University of Agder, Norway *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Religions Old and New 3. Bonding and Belief 4. Identity and Extremism 5. Artificial Intelligence and Religions in silico 6. From AI in silico, to AI in situ: Creating AI gurus, Birds eye views of Christianity, and using MAAI to study Social Stability 7. Schisms and Sacred Values 8. The Future of Religion References Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the shadow of the Kantian critique it to the Oxford debates over Darwinism that shook the discipline to the core, and from the death of God to the rise of new Evangelical movements, 19th-century theology was fundamentally reshaped by both internal struggles and external developments.

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Book SynopsisWhether as a historian finding solutions to unresolved problems or as a scientist finding the causes for events and actions, Luther Martin's primary focus has been to get to the roots of the religious impulse in human existence. This collection of essays from scholars of his own generation and from his best students cover the three major strands of his work: the Greco-Roman world, cognitive science approaches to explaining religious phenomena and methodological issues in the academic study of religions. The contributions build on the work of Luther Martin and further the ongoing discussion and debate within these areas of religious studies.Table of Contents1. Ancient and Modern Approaches to the Representation of Supernatural Beings: Dio Chrisostom (Oration 12) and Dan Sperber (Explaining Culture) Compared Roger Beck, University of Toronto 2. Gnosis in European Religious History Ulrich Berner, University of Bayreuth 3. The First Shall be the Last: The Gospel of Mark after the First Century Willi Braun, University of Alberta 4. Comparative Religion Scholars in Debate: Theology vs History in Letters Addressed to Ugo Bianchi Casadio Giovanni, University of Salerno 5. Why did Greek and Romans Pray Aloud? Anthropomorphism, 'Dumb Gods' and Human Cognition Chalupa Ales, Masaryk University 6. Reflections on the Origins of Religious Thought and Behavior Armin W. Geertz, Aarhus University 7. Why is it Better to be a Plant than an Animal? Cognitive Poetics and Ascetic Ideals in the Book of Thomas the Contender (Nhc II, 7) Ingvild Saelid Gilhus, University of Bergen 8. Miracles, Memory and Meaning: A Cognitive Approach to Roman Myths Alison B. Griffith, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 9. 'Whatever Story Sings, the Arena Displays for you': Performance, Narrative and Myth in Graeco-Roman Discourse Gerhard van den Heever, University of South Africa 10. Religion and Violence: A Psychoanalytic Inquiry Marsha Aileen Hewitt, University of Toronto 11. Disciplinary Clans Steven M. Hrotic, Independent Scholar 12. The Social Capital of Religious Communities in the Age of Globalization Hans G. Kippenberg, Max-Weber College 13. Towards a Cognitive Historiography: Frequently Posed Objections Anders Lisdorf, Independent Scholar 14. How Science and Religion are More Like Theology and Commonsense Explanations than they are Like Each Other: A Cognitive Account Robert N. McCauley, Emory University 15. the Transmission of Hsitorical Cognition William W. McCorkle Jr., Tiffin University 16. Religion before 'Religion'? Russell T. McCutcheon, University of Alabama 17. The Discourse of a Myth: Diodorus Siculus and the Egyptian Theologoumena during the Hellenistic Age Panayotis Pachis 18. The History of Religions and Evolutionary Models: Some Reflections on Framing a Mediating Vocabulary William E. Paden, University of Vermont 19. Religion and Modern Culture Ioannis S. Petrou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 20. Do Relics Do? Making a Place for 'Presence' in the Comparative Study of Relics Douglas Robinson, Independent Scholar 21. Mithras in the Magical Papyri: Religio-Historical Reflections on Various Magical Texts Ennio Sanzi, Independent Scholar 22. The Use of Egyptian Tradition in Alexandria of the Hellenistic and Roman Periods: Self-display and Identity of Rulers, Ideology and Further Political Propaganda Kyriakos, Savvopoulos, Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies 23. Buddhist Hymns and Medieval Plainsong: Some Reflections on the Links between Neuroscience, Music and Religion Kevin Trainor and Anne Clark, Independent Scholars 24. Citations of Biblical Texts in Greek, Jewish and Christian Inscriptions of Late Antiquity: A case of Religious Demarcation Ecaterini, Tsalampouni, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 25. Memorable Religions: Transmission, Codification and Change in Divergent Melanesian Contexts Harvey Whitehouse, Magdalen College, Oxford 26. Recovering 'Religious Experience' in the Explanation of Religion Donald Wiebe 27. Can the Study of Religion be Scientific? Dimitris Xygalatas, Aarhus University Hospital

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Book SynopsisIn the ongoing debate about evolution, science and faith face off. But the truth is both sides are right and wrong. In one corner: Atheists like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Jerry Coyne. They insist evolution happens by blind random accident. Their devout adherence to Neo-Darwinism omits the latest science, glossing over crucial questions and fascinating details. In the other corner: Intelligent Design advocates like William Dembski, Stephen Meyer, and Michael Behe. Many defy scientific consensus, maintaining that evolution is a fraud and rejecting common ancestry outright. There is a third way. Evolution 2.0 proves that, while evolution is not a hoax, neither is it random nor accidental. Changes are targeted, adaptive, and aware. You'll discover: How organisms re-engineer their genetic destiny in real time Amazing systems living things use to re-design themselves Every cell is armed with machinery for editing its own DNA The five amazing tools organisms use to alter their genetics 70 years of scientific discoveries--of which the public has heard virtually nothing! Perry Marshall approached evolution with skepticism for religious reasons. As an engineer, he rejected the concept of organisms randomly evolving. But an epiphany--that DNA is code, much like data in our digital age--sparked a 10-year journey of in-depth research into more than 70 years of under-reported evolutionary science. This led to a new understanding of evolution--an evolution 2.0 that not only furthers technology and medicine, but fuels our sense of wonder at life itself. This book will open your eyes and transform your thinking about evolution and God. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for our place in the universe. You'll see the world around you as you've never seen it before. Evolution 2.0 pinpoints the central mystery of biology, offering a multimillion dollar technology prize at naturalcode.org to the first person who can solve it.Trade Review"Marshall writes in a practical style so that all of his readers can come to understand evolution and can make a thoughtful conclusion on a controversial topic. Recommended for ... students of biology, history of science, and religious studies, as well as researchers and scholars." --Library Journal "Standing on the knife-edge between traditional evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design, this book will inflame both dogmatic Darwinists and Creationists. It's irritating to both because it's friendly to the idea of evolution itself, and because it judges Darwinism too close-minded and reductive... While most scientists submit to self-censorship and dare not question cherished assumptions, the boldest scientists like Albert Einstein, Francis Crick and Stephen Hawking never feared such taboos. Whether agnostics, atheists or believers, they never shrank back from big questions or unconventional solutions. Evolution and design are not either-or, but both-and." --Jean-Claude Perez, author, Codex Biogenesis and retired IBM Biomathematics and Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Researcher "Marshall is making an invaluable contribution toward more open and honest discussion on the subject of evolution versus creation. The book is well written, often witty, and is extremely thought provoking... It is amazing that this 'non-biologist' has analyzed life phenomena at the cellular and molecular levels to such depth and width by applying information gained by cutting-edge methods in the life sciences!" --Dr. Kwang Jeon, Editor, International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, and Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry, University of Tennessee "Any person of faith who cares about how creation reveals God--and how evolution is actually a devastating arsenal of evidence against atheism--should add Evolution 2.0 to the extreme tippy-top of their reading list. Evolution 2.0 is equally shocking to both atheists and Christians, a genuine eye-opener in a category of its own." --D. Bnonn Tenant, ThinkingMatters.org.nz "A very readable book and a devastating attack on the neo-Darwinist orthodoxy that evolution is nothing but natural selection acting on random variation." --Peter Saunders, co-director, Institute of Science in Society, and Emeritus professor of Applied Mathematics, King's College, London "With considerable wit and amazing insight, Marshall delivers a compelling and forceful synthesis that sets a new standard for discussions about the relationship between science and faith. The result is no less than astonishing." --Mark McMenamin, Professor of Geology, Mount Holyoke College "The book is wonderfully thought-provoking, as Perry brings a fresh perspective to the increasingly arid (and acrimonious) debate between Intelligent Design and methodological naturalism." --Crofton Brierley, MS Biochemistry, Oxford University, former department head, Marconi Optical "A remarkable and useful resume of the state-of-the-art of this great problem of science." --Stuart Pivar, author, Lifecode and On The Origin of Form, and cofounder, New York Academy of Art "I am committed to Young Earth Creationism, and thus cannot agree with some of Perry's conclusions. However, I highly recommend this book to any skeptic who is committed to a purely materialistic paradigm. The science presented here - from the latest research to the most engaging minds on this subject--make this the one book you should read." --Ray Glinski, MS in Biochemistry, Pastor at Grace Church of DuPage "Evolution 2.0 is a modern philosophical marvel unlike anything I have read in my years of study. It allowed me to put down my guard. The author was not compelling me to believe in an ideology, but rather taking me alongside his journey of self-discovery. I came into this book hesitant. As a staunch creationist I found myself trying to fight with Marshall early on, but his arguments and presentation were flawless and compelling. It was refreshing to see someone examine both sides honestly." --Marie Sarantakis, Comparative Religion Scholar, Carthage College "Armed with computer science and electrical engineering, Perry fights an uphill battle to unite the space between those who believe evolution is random and those who believe species are designed by God, who in some cases deny evolution itself... Judge this book by the science within its pages--and enjoy the story." --Andras Pellionisz, Biophysicist, Founder of Fractogene; PhD, Computer Technology, PhD, Biology, PhD, Physics "Sometimes the only way a puzzle gets solved is when someone looks at it with fresh eyes. Perry Marshall is an engineer who started to investigate biology. His book could signal a paradigm shift in the battle between Darwinian evolution and creation/ID. Maybe the war is over. Respond, criticize and debate it ... just don't dismiss it." --Justin Brierley, host, Unbelievable? radio program and podcast "Evolution 2.0 is clearly the best book I have read on the topic. It helped me far better understand the fallacy of random mutations and how they are really introduced. This is something I was never taught in genetics in undergrad or medical school." --Joseph Mercola, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The No-Grain Diet and Effortless Healing

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Book Synopsis

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