Overview

Around the globe religion is under attack. Humanists, secularists and atheists depict believers as deluded and dangerous. The aim of this book is to challenge this perception. Sensible Religion defends the validity and emphasises the excitement of the religious quest across the faiths. It demonstrates that the practice of sensible religion is often a courageous path pitted against religious extremism and secularism. Written by committed believers from the major world's faiths, the book endorses the term 'sensible' as expressing religious reasonableness as well as sensitivity to criticism and new insights. Followers of the different traditions live ordinary lives in the mainstream of the world. This volume therefore addresses beliefs and the manner in which these convictions relate to social, political and ethical action. Countering the argument that religion is at root extremist and irrational, Sensible Religion brings together thoughtful and critical reflections by leading thinkers about humanity's spiritual quest.

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9781409468080

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Reviews

'A useful resource for those seeking to defend the role of religious faith in the modern world, based on the argument that you do not have to be crazy to be religious.'Oliver Leaman, University of Kentucky, USA'A fascinating collection of essays which don't seek any formal comparison between the various practices of the major religions, so much as relate them through juxtaposition. What emerges is a multi-faceted panorama of world faiths as they are lived, in critical, sensible dialogue with their intellectual and political contexts. If you thought religion was superstitious clap-trap or on the way out - think again. Religion flourishes in myriad adaptive and culturally resonant forms. And this collection of essays showcases a variety of them.' Graham Ward, University of Oxford, UK'This valuable book clearly demonstrates that between religious extremism and exclusive secularism, there is indeed the balanced path of sensible religion . Coming from a great variety of faith and personal backgrounds, the contributing writers provide a comprehensive and compelling explanation of the actual and possible good that comes from religion. Whatever your religion, or if you have no religion, reading this book is a brilliant way of understanding the religious motivations (and misrepresentations) which affect the vast majority of humanity.'HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan

"'A useful resource for those seeking to defend the role of religious faith in the modern world, based on the argument that you do not have to be crazy to be religious.' Oliver Leaman, University of Kentucky, USA 'A fascinating collection of essays which don't seek any formal comparison between the various practices of the major religions, so much as relate them through juxtaposition. What emerges is a multi-faceted panorama of world faiths as they are lived, in critical, sensible dialogue with their intellectual and political contexts. If you thought religion was superstitious clap-trap or on the way out - think again. Religion flourishes in myriad adaptive and culturally resonant forms. And this collection of essays showcases a variety of them.' Graham Ward, University of Oxford, UK 'This valuable book clearly demonstrates that between religious extremism and exclusive secularism, there is indeed the balanced path of ""sensible religion"". Coming from a great variety of faith and personal backgrounds, the contributing writers provide a comprehensive and compelling explanation of the actual and possible good that comes from religion. Whatever your religion, or if you have no religion, reading this book is a brilliant way of understanding the religious motivations (and misrepresentations) which affect the vast majority of humanity.' HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan"

Author Information

Dan Cohn-Sherbok is Professor Emeritus of Judaism at the University of Wales. Christopher Lewis is Dean of Christ Church, Oxford University.

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