Adieu to God
Why Psychology Leads to Atheism
Published on 3. February 2012
Book
Hardback
214 pages
978-0-470-66993-8 (ISBN)
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Description
Adieu to God examines atheism from a psychological perspective and reveals how religious phenomena and beliefs are psychological rather than supernatural in origin.
* Answers the psychological question of why, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, do religions continue to prosper?
* Looks at atheism and religion using a fair and balanced approach based on the latest work in psychology, sociology, anthropology, psychiatry and medicine
* Acknowledges the many psychological benefits of religion while still questioning the validity of its supernatural belief systems and providing atheist alternatives to a fulfilling life
* Answers the psychological question of why, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, do religions continue to prosper?
* Looks at atheism and religion using a fair and balanced approach based on the latest work in psychology, sociology, anthropology, psychiatry and medicine
* Acknowledges the many psychological benefits of religion while still questioning the validity of its supernatural belief systems and providing atheist alternatives to a fulfilling life
Reviews / Votes
"In this fascinating little book (201 pages, including references and a subject index), Mick Power communicates no such tinge of agnosticism when proclaiming in the preface of Adieu to God: Why Psychology Leads to Atheismthat "my belief is that psychology (with help from philosophy, anthropology, sociology, physics, biology . . .) offers a far more powerful explanation than any religious system ever will" (p.x)." (PsycCRITIQUES, 1 June 2013)"His final chapter summarises the argument and proposes how one might be a healthy atheist with a sense of meaning and purpose, a sense of belonging and community and a set of personal goals and values. He does not forecast the disappearance of religions but proposes how they can be explained in terms of psychology and sociology." (The Scientific & Medical Network, 1 April 2012)
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02/2012
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Person
Mick Power is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, as well as a practicing Clinical Psychologist who has worked at Guy's Hospital and Maudsley and Bethlem Hospitals. Raised as a Catholic, Power became an atheist at 16.
Content
Preface ix
1. A Short History of Religion 1
2. The Psychology of Religion--The Varieties of Normal Experience 33
3. The Psychology of Religion--The Varieties of Abnormal Experience 61
4. Social Structures and Religion 89
5. Religion, Power, and Control 113
6. Religion and Health 141
7. How to Be a Healthy Atheist 167
References 181
Author Index 191
Subject Index 195
1. A Short History of Religion 1
2. The Psychology of Religion--The Varieties of Normal Experience 33
3. The Psychology of Religion--The Varieties of Abnormal Experience 61
4. Social Structures and Religion 89
5. Religion, Power, and Control 113
6. Religion and Health 141
7. How to Be a Healthy Atheist 167
References 181
Author Index 191
Subject Index 195