Overview

Are atheists immoral? Does religion cause conflict? Is religion always opposed to science? Boldly paving the way for constructive dialogue between atheists and religious believers, Paul Hedges tackles issues such as the treatment of women, the idea of a pure and empirical realm of 'science', and the association of religion with violence and warfare, debunking the myths and exposing the futility of the battle between 'reason' and 'belief'. Threading deftly between atheism, the major world religions of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, and smaller groups such as Paganism, Hedges demonstrates a vast scope for agreement and interaction between them which will call to every open minded reader.

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9781785920578

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Reviews

This is a terrific little book! I don't know how you managed to cover so many key issues so clearly and in such a short space. You have done a remarkably good job: the writing is clear and accessible; to my mind your tone is perfect because you emphasize that you want to engage with people, but that, like them, you do have opinions; this is one of the few times I really liked boxes because they provided short, pertinent examples instead of interrupting the text. I would use this text, in fact I would like to use this text for a class I am giving in the spring, so I wish it were already published! I very much liked your introductory discussion about faith vs. reason. That is such an important issue, and you covered it beautifully with excellent examples and thought experiments. I do have a few comments and suggestions, but I have the feeling you have worked on this so long and hard that you may just want it off your hands and in the mail. If that is the case, I really think it is good to go. But here are some thoughts. I imagine you have to put atheism in the title. I have to admit I wish the title were something more like Issues in Contemporary Religion for Believers and Non-believers. The reason I say this is because I give a class on Methods and Issues in the Study of Religion and your book would be perfect-so, of course, are the chapters in the volumes you edited. But your book has the advantage of doing it all in a short space, and it is a book I would want students to buy and bring to class. In chapter 2 you do an excellent job explaining why texts are not transparent and always are and need to be interpreted. I wonder if a secular example might be in order here. I am thinking of the US Constitution-which religious conservatives seem to put on the same exalted level as scripture-specifically the Second Amendment on the right to bear arms and the widely divergent interpretations this has received. I am also thinking of institutions like the Supreme Court, which only exists because laws are not transparent and require interpretation. Small comment on the gender chapter. I have always loved Engels analysis in which he connects the subjection of women to the advent of private property. Maybe a word about that would be good. There does seem to be greater equality between men and women in hunter-gatherer societies that don't have private property, but once inheritance comes in, women get stuck in purdah, have their feet bound, etc. so that husbands can be more certain that their offspring are actually theirs. This may not be true, but it makes great sense to me! Chapter 7 is excellent. I like John H. Brooke's analysis of the way Hebrew and Christian Scriptures provided the suppositions, rationale, and justification for the investigation of nature because I think this helps explain why modern science developed in the West. Natural philosphers constantly referred to The Book of Nature as the second book of scripture, through which god could be known. This led Boyle to claim that natural philosophers were the true priests because they were the only ones who could read this book. Talking about books and their importance in stimulating science, I think you need to say something about printing. Eisenstein's work convinced me that neither the Reformation nor the Scientific Revolution would have occurred had it now been for printing. Printing was, therefore, a key factor in distinguishing Western science from Islamic, Chines, or Indiana science. This was a most enjoyable read. Thanks you so much for sending it to me. -- Dr. Allison P. Coudert Paul and Marie Castelfranco Chair in the Study of Religion University of California

This is a terrific little book! I don't know how you managed to cover so many key issues so clearly and in such a short space. You have done a remarkably good job: the writing is clear and accessible; to my mind your tone is perfect because you emphasize that you want to engage with people, but that, like them, you do have opinions; this is one of the few times I really liked boxes because they provided short, pertinent examples instead of interrupting the text. I would use this text, in fact I would like to use this text for a class I am giving in the spring, so I wish it were already published! I very much liked your introductory discussion about faith vs. reason. That is such an important issue, and you covered it beautifully with excellent examples and thought experiments... This was a most enjoyable read. -- Dr. Allison P. Coudert Paul and Marie Castelfranco Chair in the Study of Religion University of California

This is a terrific little book! I don't know how you managed to cover so many key issues so clearly and in such a short space. You have done a remarkably good job: the writing is clear and accessible; to my mind your tone is perfect because you emphasize that you want to engage with people, but that, like them, you do have opinions; this is one of the few times I really liked boxes because they provided short, pertinent examples instead of interrupting the text. I would use this text, in fact I would like to use this text for a class I am giving in the spring, so I wish it were already published! I very much liked your introductory discussion about faith vs. reason. That is such an important issue, and you covered it beautifully with excellent examples and thought experiments... This was a most enjoyable read. -- Dr. Allison P. Coudert, Paul and Marie Castelfranco Chair in the Study of Religion University of California Judicious, informed, and fair - Paul Hedges doesn't simply compare and contrast the different worldview of atheists and believers, but goes behind them. Taking all the major religions into account, Hedges creates a map of areas of analysis that illuminates and clarifies the debates. It is a compelling tour de force. In this book, Hedges becomes the sage guide that our polarized age desperately needs. -- The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, PhD, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, Professor of Theology and Ethics and Author of Against Atheism Towards Better Disagreement: Religion and Atheism in Dialogue is a thoughtful and compassionate review of the differences between those who find some spiritual sense and meaning to existence and those that do not. It is marked by a gentle courtesy towards disputants, without at all ignoring or belittling genuine disagreements. What makes it remarkably valuable, both for the more general reader as well as the student, is the wide range of issues covered from questions about the founders of religion (like Jesus) to contemporary problems of much concern including sex and gender, and the nature and place of animals. Highly recommended. -- Michael Ruse, Lucyle T Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University and Author of Darwinism as Religion: What Literature tells us about Evolution This book paves the way for both theists and atheists to relate to each other in a more nuanced and meaningful way. It is a much needed resource for all who are interested in laying the foundations for robust dialogues between the religious and non-religious communities beyond presumptions and prejudices. -- Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, Singapore interfaith activist and founding member, Leftwrite Center Paul Hedges is an extraordinarily fluent, courteous and wise writer. He covers a great deal of ground with admirable brevity and clarity. The result is a readable and accessible book that I shall be commending to my students here at Sarum College. In particular I think that it would be of practical use to A-level students or undergraduates wanting to explore the nature of religion. This text will certainly inform the development of our learning life here in Sarum College. -- James Woodward * James Woodward * Those engaged in inter-religious dialogue will find much of the analysis offered thought-provoking and constructive, and it may well point to the face that in discussions there should be room for a sensitive atheist perspective as well. -- Robert Reiss * Interreligious Insight * This book is timely, and the intention behind it is to be applauded. - Richard Norman, University of Kent -- Theology Journal While the book is compact, it manages to cover a good deal of material with lucidity and conciseness. The format of the book also makes it highly accessible, with summary boxes that succinctly condense the main points. This work would be useful to students at an undergraduate level seeking to understand more about religion and its dialogue with atheism. -- Asia Journal of Theology Paul hedges's study is an important one in our fractious time, offering excellent consideration of meaningful dialogue between the secular and the religious that goes beyond apologetics (both religious and secular), as it seeks common ground for shared engagement in the world. -- Carl Chudy * Anglican Theological Review *

This is a terrific little book! I don't know how you managed to cover so many key issues so clearly and in such a short space. You have done a remarkably good job: the writing is clear and accessible; to my mind your tone is perfect because you emphasize that you want to engage with people, but that, like them, you do have opinions; this is one of the few times I really liked boxes because they provided short, pertinent examples instead of interrupting the text. I would use this text, in fact I would like to use this text for a class I am giving in the spring, so I wish it were already published! I very much liked your introductory discussion about faith vs. reason. That is such an important issue, and you covered it beautifully with excellent examples and thought experiments... This was a most enjoyable read. -- Dr. Allison P. Coudert, Paul and Marie Castelfranco Chair in the Study of Religion University of California Towards Better Disagreement: Religion and Atheism in Dialogue is a thoughtful and compassionate review of the differences between those who find some spiritual sense and meaning to existence and those that do not. It is marked by a gentle courtesy towards disputants, without at all ignoring or belittling genuine disagreements. What makes it remarkably valuable, both for the more general reader as well as the student, is the wide range of issues covered from questions about the founders of religion (like Jesus) to contemporary problems of much concern including sex and gender, and the nature and place of animals. Highly recommended. -- Michael Ruse, Lucyle T Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University and Author of Darwinism as Religion: What Literature tells us about Evolution Judicious, informed, and fair - Paul Hedges doesn't simply compare and contrast the different worldview of atheists and believers, but goes behind them. Taking all the major religions into account, Hedges creates a map of areas of analysis that illuminates and clarifies the debates. It is a compelling tour de force. In this book, Hedges becomes the sage guide that our polarized age desperately needs. -- The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, PhD, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, Professor of Theology and Ethics and Author of Against Atheism Paul Hedges is an extraordinarily fluent, courteous and wise writer. He covers a great deal of ground with admirable brevity and clarity. The result is a readable and accessible book that I shall be commending to my students here at Sarum College. In particular I think that it would be of practical use to A-level students or undergraduates wanting to explore the nature of religion. This text will certainly inform the development of our learning life here in Sarum College. -- James Woodward * James Woodward * This book paves the way for both theists and atheists to relate to each other in a more nuanced and meaningful way. It is a much needed resource for all who are interested in laying the foundations for robust dialogues between the religious and non-religious communities beyond presumptions and prejudices. -- Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, Singapore interfaith activist and founding member, Leftwrite Center Those engaged in inter-religious dialogue will find much of the analysis offered thought-provoking and constructive, and it may well point to the face that in discussions there should be room for a sensitive atheist perspective as well. -- Robert Reiss * Interreligious Insight * This book is timely, and the intention behind it is to be applauded. - Richard Norman, University of Kent * Theology Journal * While the book is compact, it manages to cover a good deal of material with lucidity and conciseness. The format of the book also makes it highly accessible, with summary boxes that succinctly condense the main points. This work would be useful to students at an undergraduate level seeking to understand more about religion and its dialogue with atheism. * Asia Journal of Theology *

Author Information

Paul Hedges is Associate Professor of Interreligious Studies at RSIS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and has previously held positions at universities in Britain, Canada, and China. He is the author and editor of several books around his research interests in the meeting and debate between worldviews. Find out more about Dr Hedges at his website www.logosdao.wordpress.com.

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