A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists helps
readers--both secular and religious--appreciate their
common ground. For those whose thinking has moved from the
religious thesis to the skeptical antithesis (or vice versa), Myers
offers pointers to a science-respecting Christian synthesis. He
shows how skeptics and people of faith can share a commitment to
reason, evidence, and critical thinking, while also embracing a
faith that supports human flourishing--by making sense of the
universe, giving meaning to life, connecting us in supportive
communities, mandating altruism, and offering hope in the face of
adversity and death.
Autorentext
The Author
David G. Myers is a communicator of psychological science to college students and the general public. His writings, supported by National Science Foundation fellowships and grants and recognized by the Gordon Allport Prize, have appeared in three dozen scientific periodicals, from Science to Psychological Science, and in dozens of magazines and newspapers. His seventeen books include best-selling texts and general audience books on happiness, intuition, and hearing loss.
Klappentext
A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists
In response to recent atheist manifestos declaring that religion is "dangerous," social psychologist David G. Myers transcends the skeptic/believer divide by suggesting how faith can be reasonable, science-affirming, and humane. As a respected behavioral scientist and a person of faith, Myers shows how an educated and engaged faith is associated with happiness, health, tolerance, generosity, and volunteerism, and does not imply gay bashing, magical ideas about prayer, or a division of body and soul.
A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists helps readers—both secular and religious—appreciate their common ground. For those whose thinking has moved from the religious thesis to the skeptical antithesis (or vice versa), Myers offers pointers to a science-respecting Christian synthesis. He shows how skeptics and people of faith can share a commitment to reason, evidence, and critical thinking, while also embracing a faith that supports human flourishing by making sense of the universe, giving meaning to life, connecting us in supportive communities, mandating altruism, and offering hope in the face of adversity and death.
Zusammenfassung
A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists helps readersboth secular and religiousappreciate their common ground. For those whose thinking has moved from the religious thesis to the skeptical antithesis (or vice versa), Myers offers pointers to a science-respecting Christian synthesis. He shows how skeptics and people of faith can share a commitment to reason, evidence, and critical thinking, while also embracing a faith that supports human flourishingby making sense of the universe, giving meaning to life, connecting us in supportive communities, mandating altruism, and offering hope in the face of adversity and death.
Inhalt
Preface v
False and Dangerous? 1
My Assumptions 4
Mea Culpa 8
The Dance of Fanatics and Infidels 11
Simplistic Stereotypes 14
The Heart of Science and Religion 17
The Skeptics' Boys Club 22
Inseparable Body and Soul 26
Does Prayer Work? 33
The Benevolent, Fine-Tuned Universe 44
Big Ideas and Biblical Wisdom 54
Secularism and Civility 64
God and Gays 74
(Nominal) Religion Feeds Prejudice 82
Godliness and Goodliness 87
Happy Faith-Heads 107
Healthy Faith-Heads 116
Does Explaining Religion Explain It Away? 121
The Leap of Faith 128
Appendix: International Society for Science and Religion Statement on Intelligent Design 133
Notes 137
Acknowledgments 150
The Author 152