Overview

The sacred and the secular—or religion and secularity—differ from one another in many ways, but they must also frequently interact with and can instruct and benefit one another in today's world. This is especially so when neither is reduced to an uninformed distortion or stereotype by the other. Careful analysis of their relationships is needed. Such analysis is especially important in the contemporary world, where the two are being challenged, reshaped, and reformed by the sheer number of changing religious and secular perspectives—all of this taking place within the ferment of an increasingly global society. This book explores past and present ways of distinguishing the two with which Donald A. Crosby either takes issue with or finds to be congenial. It also proposes ways in which the two are not only meaningfully distinguished from one another, but also where their mutually beneficial relationships can be highlighted. A particular conception of the nature of religious faith is compared and contrasted with some influential types of secular faith.

Full Product Details

Author:   Donald A. Crosby
Publisher:   State University of New York Press
Imprint:   State University of New York Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.227kg
ISBN:  

9781438486604

ISBN 10:   143848660
Pages:   190
Publication Date:   02 July 2022
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Finite Earthly Time Undesirability of Timeless Life Illusion of Ultimate Timeless Existence Hägglund's Contrast of Religious and Secular Perspectives Problems with the Idea of an Everlasting Afterlife Conclusion 2. Fallible Human Knowledge Fallibility of Human Claims to Truth Unknowability of Future Beliefs Dangers of Claims to Infallible Religious Beliefs Inevitable and Desirable Religious Diversity Conclusion 3. Science, Secularity, and Religion Religion's Indebtedness to the Sciences Limitations of the Sciences Two Conceptions of Science Conclusion 4. Ambiguities of Nature Inanimate Nature Nonhuman Animate Nature The Human Side of Nature Religious Affirmation of Nature Conclusion 5. An Urgent Common Cause A Monotheistic Response A Buddhist Response Scientific Responses Prudential Responses Moral Responses Aesthetic Responses Conclusion 6. Characterizing Religion Tillich on the Narrower and Larger Concepts of Religion Schilbrack's Analysis of Definitions of Religion Religion and Ontology Conclusion 7. Reconciling the Sacred with the Secular Religious and Secular Views of Reality Earlier Meanings of the Term Secular Concept of the Secular State Need for Religious and Secular Dialogue The Virtue of Humility Conclusion 8. Western Theism and Ontological Sacredness From Radical Transcendence to Radical Immanence: Diana Bass's Journey of Faith The Sacredness of Nature Without God: Chet Raymo's Religious Naturalism Theism, Naturalism, and the Sacred Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index

Reviews

This book is invaluable for its clear and compelling discussions of religion and science, religion in a pluralistic politics, and the problem of natural evil. Crosby ably develops a religious naturalist perspective while showing that a variety of religious views have much to contribute to these demanding issues of our time. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone concerned about the religious dimensions of today's challenges, whether a first year college student or an advanced scholar. - Mary Doak, author of A Prophetic Public Church: Witness to Hope Amid the Global Challenges of the 21st Century

This book is invaluable for its clear and compelling discussions of religion and science, religion in a pluralistic politics, and the problem of natural evil. Crosby ably develops a religious naturalist perspective while showing that a variety of religious views have much to contribute to these demanding issues of our time. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone concerned about the religious dimensions of today's challenges, whether a first year college student or an advanced scholar. - Mary Doak, author of A Prophetic Public Church: Witness to Hope Amid the Global Challenges of the 21st Century

Author Information

Donald A. Crosby is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Colorado State University. He is the author of many books, including Partial Truths and Our Common Future: A Perspectival Theory of Truth and Value and More Than Discourse: Symbolic Expressions of Naturalistic Faith, both published by SUNY Press.

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