Religion Power And Illusion

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Religion, Power, and Illusion

Author : Patrick J. Hurley
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 369 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2022-12-07
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781633888418

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Religion, Power, and Illusion by Patrick J. Hurley Pdf

According to anthropologists, religion arose in the Neolithic period, a time that began 12 thousand years ago when people abandoned the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and started settling down in communities. By the time of the ancient Egyptians, religion had reached a significant level of development. The spirits of the seeds and the weather had evolved into gods. In the end, the gods numbered more than a thousand; every god required a temple, and every temple needed a priest, or several of them. Following the death of Jesus, for the Christian god to reach its final form took an additional three hundred years. It was accomplished through the work of dozens of bishops who wrestled with the problem of how a god consisting of three persons could really be one entity. Religious orthodoxy as we know it today is the result of the countless solutions proposed by priests, not the result of divinely inspired texts or teachings, with various bishops condemning some proposals as heretical and blessing others as conventional. But how were orthodoxy and heresy distinguished? Any position that increased the power of the bishops was, by definition, orthodox, and any position that undermined it was heretical. Thus, the Christian god that we have today is a construct assembled over many years, and for two thousand years it has served to augment and solidify the power of the bishops who created it and who sustain it. Religion, Power & Illusion concludes that priestly power is so firmly rooted in the human condition that religion is not likely to disappear any time soon. It also explores the defective logic used by religious promoters, and what is necessary for experiences to be non-illusory.

Power and Illusion

Author : Phd David W. Wilbur MD
Publisher : Lulu.com
Page : 229 pages
File Size : 45,5 Mb
Release : 2010-12-21
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780557669509

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Power and Illusion by Phd David W. Wilbur MD Pdf

"My intended audience is anyone who suspects that religion might be about something other than future salvation. This manuscript is written for those believing or otherwise who, looking at ubiquitous religion, find discontinuities in claims and functions and wish to explore further how it shapes our world... This manuscript is an effort to describe how religion actually works in practice." -- Introductory Comments and Concerns.

The Illusion of Power

Author : Stephen Orgel
Publisher : Univ of California Press
Page : 110 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2023-11-10
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9780520341876

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The Illusion of Power by Stephen Orgel Pdf

"Elegant, deeply learned, and intellectually adventurous, its implications extend far beyond the boundaries of the Stuart and Caroline masque. It is an indispensable, exploration of political art and aestheticized politics. . . . a classic."--Stephen Greenblatt, University of California, Berkeley "A triumph of scholarship, insight, and explication, Oregel's book is truly a classic in the field of Renaissance studies. Anyone interested in Renaissance culture will find here a masterful analysis of its celebration of royal power."--Coppelia Kahn, Brown University "As knowing of art, theatrical and political history as it is sensitive to poetry, Orgel's book is learned, lively, and beautifully clear."--John Hollander, Yale University "A foundational text for the New Historicist Perspective in English Renaissance literary and cultural studies . . . as informative and suggestive as it was when new; in the clarity and grace of its writing, the breadth and precision of its arguments, the aptness and resonance of its examples, it is unsurpassed as an introduction to the dialectic of theatrical illusion and state authority--of play and power--in the culture of Elizabethan and Stuart England."--Louis Montrose, University of California, San Diego

The Illusion of God's Presence

Author : John C. Wathey
Publisher : Prometheus Books
Page : 419 pages
File Size : 52,6 Mb
Release : 2016-01-12
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781633880757

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The Illusion of God's Presence by John C. Wathey Pdf

An essential feature of religious experience across many cultures is the intuitive feeling of God's presence. More than any rituals or doctrines, it is this experience that anchors religious faith, yet it has been largely ignored in the scientific literature on religion. Starting with a vivid narrative account of the life-threatening hike that triggered his own mystical experience, biologist John Wathey takes the reader on a scientific journey to find the sources of religious feeling and the illusion of God's presence. His book delves into the biological origins of this compelling feeling, attributing it to innate neural circuitry that evolved to promote the mother-child bond. Dr. Wathey, a veteran neuroscientist, argues that evolution has programmed the infant brain to expect the presence of a loving being who responds to the child's needs. As the infant grows into adulthood, this innate feeling is eventually transferred to the realm of religion, where it is reactivated through the symbols, imagery, and rituals of worship. The author interprets our various conceptions of God in biological terms as illusory supernormal stimuli that fill an emotional and cognitive vacuum left over from infancy. These insights shed new light on some of the most vexing puzzles of religion, like the popular belief in a god who is judgmental and punishing, yet also unconditionally loving; the extraordinary tenacity of faith; the greater religiosity of women relative to men; religious obsessions with sex; the mysterious compulsion to pray; the seemingly irrepressible feminine attributes of God, even in traditionally patriarchal religions; and the strange allure of cults. Finally, Dr. Wathey considers the hypothesis that religion evolved to foster reproductive success, arguing that, in an age of potentially ruinous overpopulation, magical thinking has become a luxury we can no longer afford, one that distracts us from urgent threats to our planet. Deeply researched yet elegantly written in a jargon-free and accessible style, this book presents a compelling interpretation of the evolutionary origins of spirituality and religion.

Religion, Illusion, Reality, Perception

Author : Simon P Bargetzi
Publisher : Xlibris Corporation
Page : 154 pages
File Size : 51,8 Mb
Release : 2018-02-09
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781543481969

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Religion, Illusion, Reality, Perception by Simon P Bargetzi Pdf

We received by birth the gift of free will: the inner urge, drive, or the inner desire, through faith, to have a communion with God. Humans are driven by many urges, but none stronger than the urge to love and to be loved. Hunger (as part of the survival instinct) and sexual cravings (survival of the species) are well developed in humanstwo instinctive urges that humans share with the animal world. Nature demands survival, but the art of civilization increases the pleasures of living and the satisfactions derived from family life. To find meaning in life is a valuable and ultimate endeavor.

The Comforting Illusion: Lifting the Veil on Organized Religion

Author : Greg Bentall
Publisher : Atlantic Publishing Company
Page : 125 pages
File Size : 48,9 Mb
Release : 2019-10-11
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9781620236536

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The Comforting Illusion: Lifting the Veil on Organized Religion by Greg Bentall Pdf

So much of popular religion is simply a collection of ancient superstitions and old campfire stories. Even Pope Francis has told the Church that God is not a "wizard." God is not our ever-present nanny or "fairy godmother" whose task it is to comfort and protect us, and to shield us from any danger, discomfort, or disappointment. So what, then, really is the point of religion and spiritualism in a modern world? Exploring the concept of religion from an objective, sociological standpoint, “The Comforting Illusion: Lifting the Veil on Organized Religion” aims to somehow reconcile our modern worldviews with ancient spiritual perspectives. By examining religion’s direct and indirect effects on practically every part of 21st century society, be they good or bad, “The Comforting Illusion” pulls aside the curtain of our comfortable rituals and compels us to consider the complex facets of a culture that spans millennia.

The Future of an Illusion

Author : Sigmund Freud
Publisher : Digireads.com
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2024-05-07
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 1420982362

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The Future of an Illusion by Sigmund Freud Pdf

First published in German in 1927 and in English in 1928, "The Future of an Illusion" is Sigmund Freud's seminal work on the psychology of religion in which Freud discusses the history of and psychological basis for religion. Chief amongst the arguments of the work is that religion is ultimately the result of the psychological struggle against the ultimate fate of life, death. So strong is the desire to give meaning to life that our ancestors created their various myths long ago. Freud further explains the psychological desire to bring about order in a chaotic world and the consequential demand for an organizing force that gives power to religion. Once empowered organized religion perpetuates itself through the strength of tradition and a culture which penalizes doubt, Freud argues. A clearly atheistic polemic against religion, "The Future of an Illusion" presents some compelling arguments for the phenomenon of religion and what future place there might be for it in a modern society. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The Future of Illusion

Author : Victoria Kahn
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
Page : 261 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2014-01-13
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9780226083902

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The Future of Illusion by Victoria Kahn Pdf

In recent years, the rise of fundamentalism and a related turn to religion in the humanities have led to a powerful resurgence of interest in the problem of political theology. In a critique of this contemporary fascination with the theological underpinnings of modern politics, Victoria Kahn proposes a return to secularism—whose origins she locates in the art, literature, and political theory of the early modern period—and argues in defense of literature and art as a force for secular liberal culture. Kahn draws on theorists such as Carl Schmitt, Leo Strauss, Walter Benjamin, and Hannah Arendt and their readings of Shakespeare, Hobbes, Machiavelli, and Spinoza to illustrate that the dialogue between these modern and early modern figures can help us rethink the contemporary problem of political theology. Twentieth-century critics, she shows, saw the early modern period as a break from the older form of political theology that entailed the theological legitimization of the state. Rather, the period signaled a new emphasis on a secular notion of human agency and a new preoccupation with the ways art and fiction intersected the terrain of religion.

The Fracture Of An Illusion

Author : Pascal Boyer
Publisher : Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Page : 113 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2010-07-21
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9783647569406

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The Fracture Of An Illusion by Pascal Boyer Pdf

Pascal Boyer pursues an individual approach by connecting the perspective of evolutionary cognitive science with religious thought and behavior.

The Great Illusion: A Story of Self-Revolution

Author : Phoenix Wise
Publisher : Phoenix Wise
Page : 356 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2020-03-06
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781734576900

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The Great Illusion: A Story of Self-Revolution by Phoenix Wise Pdf

The Great Illusion: A Story of Self-Revolution, Part 1: The Revelation, is the first book in a three-part series. This book is revolutionary and will change the way you think and see things. Throughout human history, people have been bombarded with lies and misinformation. Many people blindly believe their parents, society, religion, politicians, and teachers. Whether it’s for power, greed, money, control, or enslavement, lying to people is one of the most evil things someone can do. Unfortunately, too many people are willing participants or are just ignorant. It’s dangerous and unhealthy for the individual or the society to go along with these manipulations and fabrications. One of the best things that you can do is be skeptical and question what you have been told and shown, so you can discover the truth. This first book lets you follow the story of Emerald and her quest to break out of being controlled. For this book, she tackles current and real societal issues related to competition, freedom, religion, politics, capitalism, and many more. You may not agree with everything that Emerald believes, but at least you are starting to question what you believe while evolving in your life. Please keep expanding your awareness of yourself and the world around you. I hope you enjoy this philosophical and empowering journey into discovering the truth and the reality that we all need to face, which is yourself.

The Future of an Illusion (Deluxe Library Edition)

Author : Sigmund Freud
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 51,8 Mb
Release : 2022-12-15
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 935499542X

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The Future of an Illusion (Deluxe Library Edition) by Sigmund Freud Pdf

First published in 1927, 'The Future of an Illusion' examines the roots of society and religion, written by Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for evaluating and treating pathologies in the psyche through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. This is Freud's best-known and most assertive psychoanalytic investigation of religion and is the fruition of a lifelong practice of reflection. Freud uses his understanding of psychology to examine the roots of both civilization and religion. This takes the form of a comprehensive essay, with Freud forming an argument throughout its chapters about the history of religion and the part it should play in society's future. Freud wrote a number of influential books that popularized his psychoanalytic theories, such as 'The Interpretation of Dreams' (1899) and 'The Ego and the Id' (1923). "Immorality, no less than morality, has at all times found support in religion." -Sigmund Freud, The Future of an Illusion

White Christian Privilege

Author : Khyati Y. Joshi
Publisher : NYU Press
Page : 286 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2020-07-07
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781479840236

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White Christian Privilege by Khyati Y. Joshi Pdf

Exposes the invisible ways in which white Christian privilege disadvantages racial and religious minorities in America The United States is recognized as the most religiously diverse country in the world, and yet its laws and customs, which many have come to see as normal features of American life, actually keep the Constitutional ideal of “religious freedom for all” from becoming a reality. Christian beliefs, norms, and practices infuse our society; they are embedded in our institutions, creating the structures and expectations that define the idea of “Americanness.” Religious minorities still struggle for recognition and for the opportunity to be treated as fully and equally legitimate members of American society. From the courtroom to the classroom, their scriptures and practices are viewed with suspicion, and bias embedded in centuries of Supreme Court rulings create structural disadvantages that endure today. In White Christian Privilege, Khyati Y. Joshi traces Christianity’s influence on the American experiment from before the founding of the Republic to the social movements of today. Mapping the way through centuries of slavery, westward expansion, immigration, and citizenship laws, she also reveals the ways Christian privilege in the United States has always been entangled with notions of White supremacy. Through the voices of Christians and religious minorities, Joshi explores how Christian privilege and White racial norms affect the lives of all Americans, often in subtle ways that society overlooks. By shining a light on the inequalities these privileges create, Joshi points the way forward, urging readers to help remake America as a diverse democracy with a commitment to true religious freedom.

God?s Illusion Machine

Author : Mayesvara dasa
Publisher : Xlibris Corporation
Page : 534 pages
File Size : 49,6 Mb
Release : 2013-12
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781493121496

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God?s Illusion Machine by Mayesvara dasa Pdf

In the tidal wave of intellectual argument that followed the 2006 release of Richard Dawkins's God Delusion book, a fierce debate has raged between atheism and religion over the existence of God, leaving the world's scientists and laymen largely undecided in their opinion. God's Illusion Machine presents a fascinating alternative to a debate that has largely been argued within the framework of Christian versus science concepts. Drawing upon the world's oldest body of knowledge (the Vedas), the author describes the massive illusion to which we are all subjected as we mistakenly believe ourselves to be physical creations of the material world. In God's Illusion Machine, the material world is gradually exposed as the ultimate virtual reality machine for wayward souls who prefer a self-centred, rather than a God-centred, existence. In contrast to Richard Dawkins's assertion that the religious are suffering a delusion for believing in God, the author argues that both the atheists and the religious are under the spell of God's deluding energy called Mäyä, which acts in reciprocation with a soul's desire to be in illusion within the physical realm. By applying the profound spiritual insights of Vedic knowledge along with a healthy dose of common sense and good humour, God's Illusion Machine is an enthralling exposé of the deceptive nature of the material world and the false claims of materialists regarding the nature of life and love. It is a triumph of spirituality over both atheistic materialism and religious dogmatism. God's Illusion Machine is a work of major importance realigning Western religion, philosophy, and science with eternal spiritual truths, an enlightening read for both the atheist and the religious, bringing spiritual certainty and true love to bewildered souls in troubled times. For atheists who like a good argument, for the religious who are stuck for a reply to Richard Dawkins, for fans of fantasy and sci-fi where forces of light and illusion contend in battle, and for you, the reader, whatever your disposition, this book will forever change your outlook on life and its meaning. As the rising sun disperses the darkness of night, so in the presence of Krishna (The Absolute Truth), mäyä (illusion) cannot stand.

A Restatement of Religion

Author : Jyotirmaya Sharma
Publisher : Yale University Press
Page : 330 pages
File Size : 41,5 Mb
Release : 2013-08-28
Category : History
ISBN : 9780300198874

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A Restatement of Religion by Jyotirmaya Sharma Pdf

In this third installment of his comprehensive history of "India's religion" and reappraisal of Hindu identity, Professor Jyotirmaya Sharma offers an engaging portrait of Swami Vivekananda and his relationship with his guru, the legendary Ramakrishna. Sharma's work focuses on Vivekananda's reinterpretation and formulation of diverse Indian spiritual and mystical traditions and practices as "Hinduism" and how it served to create, distort, and justify a national self-image. The author examines questions of caste and the primacy of the West in Vivekananda's vision, as well as the systematic marginalization of alternate religions and heterodox beliefs. In doing so, Professor Sharma provides readers with an incisive entryway into nineteenth- and twentieth-century Indian history and the rise of Hindutva, the Hindu nationalist movement. Sharma's illuminating narrative is an excellent reexamination of one of India's most controversial religious figures and a fascinating study of the symbiosis of Indian history, religion, politics, and national identity. It is an essential story for anyone interested in the evolution of one of the world's great religions and its role in shaping contemporary India.

Frye and the Word

Author : Jeffery Donaldson,Alan Mendelson
Publisher : University of Toronto Press
Page : 420 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2004-01-01
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 0802088139

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Frye and the Word by Jeffery Donaldson,Alan Mendelson Pdf

Frye and the Word draws together leading scholars in the fields of literary studies and hermeneutics, religious studies, and philosophy to construe and debate the late thought and writings of Northrop Frye in their spiritual dimension.