Experimenting with Religion

Reviews / Votes

Experimenting with Religion is a great introduction to the way psychologists ask and answer questions. It's a well written, sophisticated ramble through some of our knottiest problems in social science. It's suitable for an introductory class on psychology-and for curling up with in front of a fire. * T.M. Luhrmann, author of How God Becomes Real * A breezy, friendly, wise book that gives an understanding of what it is that scientists studying religion spend their time doing. This is the book I will be giving my family so they can see why I love my job. * Konrad Talmont-Kaminski, Lecturer, Faculty of Psychology, University of Finance and Management, Warsaw * Jong's Experimenting with Religion is an enlightening meditation on the search for understanding. The science of religion offers an opportunity to apply the best methodologies available to gain insight into how and why people believe. Unexpectedly, the subjects of Jong's story are not really the participants in the experiments, but the scientists conducting them. How do scientists come to believe how people believe? Jong exposes the uncertainty and challenge of gaining true insight on religion, and the natural world more generally, with a personal and arresting account of scientists doing their daily work. Even the most rigorous science will produce a slow walk toward the truth with plenty of false starts along the way. That isn't to suggest that the journey isn't worth it, just that we should do so with humility and recognition that what we know and what we think we know are not the same thing. * Brian Nosek, Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia * Experimenting with Religion provides a unique view into the labs-and minds-of psychologists who study religion. Whether or not you are interested in religion, this is the perfect book for anyone who wants to know how psychologists know what they know, and also how to make sense of scientific research that is sometimes confusing and contradictory. * Scott Barry Kaufman, author of Ungifted^and Wired to Create * Experimenting with Religion is an enjoyable, fascinating book that informs and teaches through real-world examples and stories. It should serve as an excellent text and conversation- starter for scholars of religion - students, teachers and researchers - from any of our disciplines. * Abby Day, Religion Book Review *