A Religion of Nature
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.56 (967 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0791454541 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 212 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-04-16 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
From Library Journal Two dissimilar arguments on nature and religion are here offered by McGrath (theology, Oxford) and Crosby (philosophy, Colorado State Univ.). Thus, humanity's task becomes one of aligning with the good and struggling against evil and how that is discerned, defined, or done is never clearly delineated. Relying upon philosophers like Alfred North Whitehead and William James, he espouses a literal religion of nature: "we need not go any further than nature to probe the depths of our existence and powers that sustain our being." Seeing nature as metaphysically ultimate, he offers a systematic religious naturalism devoid of God, prayer, or spirituality beyond that found in the beauty and inherent goodnes
"An excellent, though philosophical, introduction to religious naturalism." according to Jay N. Forrest. An excellent, though philosophical, introduction to religious naturalism. Donald answers the question on whether nature can be the object of religious commitment. Readers should be aware that this is a philosophical argument for a Religion of Nature. It is not aimed a the popular reader, though it is accessible to those with some philosophical education.. "depends what you want" according to Wyote. This is a thoroughly academic book; the writing is almost a parody of academic writing. There are so many 70 or 80 word long sentences: clauses within clauses, caveats within caveats. It can be simply painful to read. Not only that, but a lot of his concerns relate to the world of academic philosophy; and even when I was an undergraduate philosophy major I didn't relate to that world. All this is not what I expected; buyer beware.However, we all have our own idiosyncratic concerns, and the author is dealin. I do like it, but simply not that much. If I could give 3 1/2 stars, I would have. If you're expecting a book that is more "New Agey," this is definitely not that kind of book (which is a very good thing). Crosby most definitely writes from a philosopher's perspective. This book, in my opinion, is meant for the environmentalist who also happens to be well versed in deep philosophy. Think of Martin Heidegger's great book "Being and Time" as a comparison for writing styles. Crosby's "A Religion of Nature" can at times be dry and a real slog to rea
Crosby also shares his personal journey from theistic faith to a religion of nature.. He explores the concept of nature, the place of humans in nature, the responsibilities of humans to one another and to their natural environments, and offers a religious vision that grants to nature the kind of reverence, awe, love, and devotion formerly reserved for God. The beauty, sublimity, and wonder of nature have been justly celebrated in all of the religious traditions of the world, but usually these traditions have focused on beings or powers presumed to lie behind nature, providing nature’s ultimate explanation and meaning. An eloquent case for regarding nature itself as the focus of religion—as the metaphysical ultimate deserving religious commitment. In a rad