
Religion and the Critical Mind
A Journey for Seekers, Doubters, and the Curious
Anton K. Jacobs(Author)
Lexington Books (Publisher)
Published on 23. September 2010
Book
Hardback
220 pages
978-0-7391-4774-0 (ISBN)
Description
Many people have a deep curiosity about religion and its shortcomings. This book, written for the general reader, takes a comprehensive look at the critiques of religion in Western history and the courageous thinkers who developed those critiques. While many people know the names of the thinkers covered, they often have little knowledge of their views and the contexts in which they worked. Here is a new look at our heritage in the criticism of religion.
Reviews / Votes
In this unpretentious and engaging book, Anton Jacobs gives a sympathetic reading to the internal and external critics of religion, especially Christianity. He does so to exorcize the problems inherent in religion, not to refute the critics (though he even-handedly notes their shortcomings) or justify a simple rejection of religion. This is a reasonable and well-informed probing of the grounds for critical doubt and critical faith. Serious believers and serious unbeleivers will enjoy this work; superficial believers and superficial unbelievers will find it disturbing. -- Anthony J. Blasi, Tennessee State University I don't care if you are an atheist or a Christian fundamentalist, if you are interested in how religion in the West has been criticized, you must read a new book by one of Kansas City's own. . . . Jacobs knows how to tell a story. -- Vern Barnet, Faith & Politics Columnist for The Kansas City Star Criticism of religion did not start with the aggressive atheists who get so much media attention today. Indeed, as Anton K. Jacobs describes it in this important and profoundly engaging book, criticism of religion seems to have been born the same week as religion itself. But despite all this criticism, there's a vital and persuasive word to be said on behalf of religion. Jacobs says that word with such insight and clarity that no doubt it will provoke yet more criticism of religion. Well, bring it on. As Jacobs insists, religion can stand it. -- Bill Tammeus, columnist, co-author of They Were Just People The title of this book is well chosen. In these pages, Anton K. Jacobs, a Sociology scholar but also an ordained Protestant minister who has remained in the pastoral ministry, invites the contemporary seekers, doubters, and the curious to consider along with him the possibilities for religious belief and commitment. In this process, above all else, Jacobs is most careful to respect the fact that contemporary seekers, doubters, and such people have minds, critical and educated minds, and it is within this context that he presents his ideas. In some ways, one is reminded of Schleiermacher's attempts to address the `cultured despisers' of religion in the 19th century. * RELIGION * The combination of setting the scene in ancient beginnings, followed by good historical and philosophical analyses with religiously guided reflections in most chapters, as well as the final defense of faith and religion in the last chapter makes Religion and the Critical Mind a very good book for an initial course on the relation of social theory and Christian belief. * Catholic Books Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
503 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7391-4774-0 (9780739147740)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Anton Jacobs is affiliated with Park University and the Kansas City Art Institute. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Notre Dame.
Content
Preface & Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Lamp And The Knife
I: Early Critiques of Religion
1: My Prophet Can Beat Up Your Prophet! Early Critiques of Religion I
2: All Sheer Folly Early Critiques of Religion II
II: Foundations of Modern Critique
3: Cloppity-Cloppity-Cloppity Foundations of Modern Critique I
4: His Eyes Will Be Dazzled Foundations of Modern Critique II
III: Modern Critics of Religion
5: Metaphysico-Theologo-Cosmonigology Modern Critics of Religion: Voltaire
6: The Sigh Of The Oppressed Creature Modern Critics of Religion: Karl Marx
7: Whither Is God? Modern Critics of Religion: Friedrich Nietzsche
8: Society Is The Soul Of Religion Modern Critics of Religion: Emile Durkheim
Introduction: The Lamp And The Knife
I: Early Critiques of Religion
1: My Prophet Can Beat Up Your Prophet! Early Critiques of Religion I
2: All Sheer Folly Early Critiques of Religion II
II: Foundations of Modern Critique
3: Cloppity-Cloppity-Cloppity Foundations of Modern Critique I
4: His Eyes Will Be Dazzled Foundations of Modern Critique II
III: Modern Critics of Religion
5: Metaphysico-Theologo-Cosmonigology Modern Critics of Religion: Voltaire
6: The Sigh Of The Oppressed Creature Modern Critics of Religion: Karl Marx
7: Whither Is God? Modern Critics of Religion: Friedrich Nietzsche
8: Society Is The Soul Of Religion Modern Critics of Religion: Emile Durkheim