Description
Book SynopsisWhile atheists have now become public figures, there is another and perhaps darker strain of religious rebellion that has remained out of sight--people who hate God. In this revealing book, Bernard Schweizer looks at men and women who do not question God''s existence, but deny that He is merciful, competent, or good. Sifting through a wide range of literary and historical works, Schweizer finds that people hate God for a variety of reasons. Some are motivated by social injustice, human suffering, or natural catastrophes that God does not prevent. Some blame God for their personal tragedies. Schweizer concludes that, despite their blasphemous thoughts, these people tend to be creative and moral individuals, and include such literary lights as Friedrich Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Zora Neale Hurston, and Philip Pullman. Schweizer shows that literature is a fertile ground for God haters. Many authors, who dare not voice their negative attitude to God openly, turn to fiction to give vent to it. Indeed, Schweizer provides many new and startling readings of literary masterpieces, highlighting the undercurrent of hatred for God.
Trade ReviewThis book usefully opens a large and fascinating subject. * Don Cuppitt, Theology *
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Part One: A Brief History of Misotheism Part Two: Six Case Studies in Literary Misotheism Absolute Misotheism I Paganism, Radicalism, and Algernon Swinburne's War With God Agonistic Misotheism I Faith, Doubt, and Zora Neale Hurston's Secret War Against God Agonistic Misotheism II Bad Fathers, Historical Crises, and Rebecca West's Fluctuating Attitude Towards God Agonistic Misotheism III Divine Apathy, the Holocaust, and Elie Wiesel Wrestling With God Absolute Misotheism II Perverse Worshippers, Divine Artists, and Peter Shaffer's Plots Against God Absolute Misotheism III Children, Deicide, and Philip Pullman's Liberal Crusade against God Conclusion Bibliography
