God is what grounds the existence of every contingent thing, making it possible, sustaining it through time, unifying it, giving it actuality. Dostoevsky was a devout christian and the brothers karamazov, his last and possibly greatest novel, was a heartfelt plea for the necessity of faith. Yes, this might seem an odd choice for a list of books about morality without god. Religion without god is an attempt to articulate such a stance. Religion without god ronald dworkin harvard university. Purpose, meaning, and morality without god psychology today. Read god without religion to hear the voice of a 21st century bonhoeffer who shows how to ring in the good times when jesus not religion is the cantus firmus, the enduring melody, of our lives. Without god, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Religion without god by ray billington, routledge, london, 2002,160 ff. Epsteins good without god provides a constructive, challenging response to these manifestos by getting to the heart of humanism and its positive belief in tolerance, community, morality, and good without having to rely on the guidance of a higher being. Moshe halbertal new republic 201021 the position taken in religion without god reflects a commitment to objective value that has been indispensable for dworkins broader jurisprudence. The book has intimacy and eloquence as well as thought. Religion without god is a short pocketsized book of 160 pages in four chapters. Atheists trust in human relations, not supernatural ones, and humans are not so good at delivering the world as it should be.
In its meditations on death in the final chapter, the book has a valedictory tone. The best books on morality without god five books expert. Hinduism, which is generally regarded as a monotheistic religion, is also discussed because of its unifying monistic concepts of brahman and atman. Freedom of religion should flow not from a respect for belief in god but from the right to ethical independence. Dworkin hoped that this short book would contribute to rational conversation and the softening of religious fear and hatred. The one theology book all atheists really should read. Religion without god subjective reaction to natural phenomena. Its ambition and its achievement make it a deep and precious book. Sheen and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In many portions, dworkin speaks from the heart as well as the mind.
Leonard sweet, bestselling author and professor at drew university and george fox university never have i encountered a book that so clearly and biblically explains new covenant christianity. Pastor rick warren, in the purpose driven life in the last. The phrase if god does not exist, everything is permitted is often attributed to dostoevsky. Religion without god kindle edition by dworkin, ronald. Its both challenging and eyeopening to realise how much crap we believe isnt of god. This book, as implied by the title, focuses on the atheistic religious philosophies of the east buddhism and taoism. Religion without god is the work of a humanist who recognized both the possibilities and limitations of humanity. Author greg epstein, t he humanist chaplain at harvard, offers a world view for nonbelievers that dispenses with the hostility and intolerance of religion prevalent in national bestsellers like god is not great and the god delusion.
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