Religion Hurts
Why Religions do Harm as well as Good
Why do religions matter so much to so many people? Why do some believe that their faith requires them to terrorise and kill others? Do religions do more harm than good?
In stock
ISBN-13
9780281080168-grouped
From £0.00
John Bowker is Emeritus Professor at Gresham College, London. He has taught Religious Studies at the universities of Cambridge, Lancaster and Pennsylvania, and at North Carolina State University. He is the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford University Press, 1997), The Meanings of Death (Cambridge University Press, 2008, winner of the HarperCollins Prize), What Muslims Believe (Oneworld, 2009), God: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2014), Beliefs that Changed the World (Quercus, 2015) and Why Religions Matter (Cambridge University Press, 2015).
‘This is a fine work . . . It is particularly impressive in its insight into Islamic culture and intra-Islamic conflict, and it shows something of the fresh understanding needed for constructive Christian–Islamic engagement.’
‘John Bowker is a master blender of religious anthropologies, ethics, history, philosophy, the tussle between reason and emotion – all overlain by sensitivity and humanity.’
‘Vintage Bowker: reviewing a vast religious terrain . . . he offers penetrating insights into conflict, altruism and “humanity” itself.’
‘This brilliant and perceptive book helps us to see clearly why it is important to understand religion, and how to cope wisely with its impact in the twenty-first century.’
About
The world contains a bewildering variety of religions, each containing an equally bewildering variety of practices and beliefs.
How have religions developed and become so widespread? Why do they matter so much to so many people? Why do some believe that their faith requires them to terrorize and kill others? Why do religions do harm as well as good?
This is a book for those who ask such questions. Some of the answers we hear today seem entirely uncritical of religion, while others dismiss it as inherently toxic and destructive.
John Bowker, one of the world’s most distinguished scholars of religion, delivers a timely analysis of the issues. He shows how recent research, particularly in the neurosciences, genetics and evolution, throws new light on what religions are and on the part they have played in human life and history.
His explanation of why religions are a force for both good and evil offers hope as well as insight for all who want to understand the many complex interactions between religion and politics today.
How have religions developed and become so widespread? Why do they matter so much to so many people? Why do some believe that their faith requires them to terrorize and kill others? Why do religions do harm as well as good?
This is a book for those who ask such questions. Some of the answers we hear today seem entirely uncritical of religion, while others dismiss it as inherently toxic and destructive.
John Bowker, one of the world’s most distinguished scholars of religion, delivers a timely analysis of the issues. He shows how recent research, particularly in the neurosciences, genetics and evolution, throws new light on what religions are and on the part they have played in human life and history.
His explanation of why religions are a force for both good and evil offers hope as well as insight for all who want to understand the many complex interactions between religion and politics today.
Author
John Bowker is Emeritus Professor at Gresham College, London. He has taught Religious Studies at the universities of Cambridge, Lancaster and Pennsylvania, and at North Carolina State University. He is the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford University Press, 1997), The Meanings of Death (Cambridge University Press, 2008, winner of the HarperCollins Prize), What Muslims Believe (Oneworld, 2009), God: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2014), Beliefs that Changed the World (Quercus, 2015) and Why Religions Matter (Cambridge University Press, 2015).
Reviews
‘This is a fine work . . . It is particularly impressive in its insight into Islamic culture and intra-Islamic conflict, and it shows something of the fresh understanding needed for constructive Christian–Islamic engagement.’
‘John Bowker is a master blender of religious anthropologies, ethics, history, philosophy, the tussle between reason and emotion – all overlain by sensitivity and humanity.’
‘Vintage Bowker: reviewing a vast religious terrain . . . he offers penetrating insights into conflict, altruism and “humanity” itself.’
‘This brilliant and perceptive book helps us to see clearly why it is important to understand religion, and how to cope wisely with its impact in the twenty-first century.’
Diaries and Lectionaries
We are proud to offer our own range of lectionaries, diaries and notebooks that come in a variety of colours and patterns!
Learn more
How have religions developed and become so widespread? Why do they matter so much to so many people? Why do some believe that their faith requires them to terrorize and kill others? Why do religions do harm as well as good?
This is a book for those who ask such questions. Some of the answers we hear today seem entirely uncritical of religion, while others dismiss it as inherently toxic and destructive.
John Bowker, one of the world’s most distinguished scholars of religion, delivers a timely analysis of the issues. He shows how recent research, particularly in the neurosciences, genetics and evolution, throws new light on what religions are and on the part they have played in human life and history.
His explanation of why religions are a force for both good and evil offers hope as well as insight for all who want to understand the many complex interactions between religion and politics today.