Description
Book SynopsisThousands of religious traditions have appeared over the course of human history but only a relative few have survived. Some speak of a myriad of gods, others of only one, and some recognize no gods at all. Volumes have been written attempting to prove the existence or nonexistence of supernatural being(s). So, if religion is not about God, then what is it about?
Trade ReviewThis book is an important step toward the naturalistic, hence truly general theory of religion. It harmonizes contemporary scientific understanding of the origin of human nature with a positive view of the centrality of religion in culture. -- Edward O. Wilson * university research professor, emeritus, Harvard University *
Loyal Rue has written a bold, scholarly, and gracefully composed discussion of the complex realtions between the concepts of God and religion. I learned a great deal from the rich tapestry of facts that filled the gaps in my understanding of the history of these ideas and believe that readers will enjoy a similar intellectual experience. -- Jerome Kagan * research Professor of Psychology, Harvard University *
Table of Contentspt. 1. On human nature. ch. 1. The epic of evolution
ch. 2. The evolution of behavior
ch. 3. The education of emotion
ch. 4. The nature of religion
pt. 2. On spiritual traditions. ch. 5. Judaism
ch. 6. Christianity
ch. 7. Islam
ch. 8. Hinduism
ch. 9. Buddhism
pt. 3. On the future of religion. ch. 10. The crisis of influence
ch. 11. Doomsday and beyond
