How to Defeat Religion in 10 Easy Steps

How to Defeat Religion in 10 Easy Steps PDF

Author: Ryan T. Cragun

Publisher: Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA)

Published: 2015-05-01

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13: 1634310144

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Do you want the greatest challenges of the day to be addressed with thoughtful, reality-based solutions rather than with cherry-picked quotations from scripture? Do you want to shrink religion—especially fundamentalist religion—to the point that it plays no noticeable role in American public life? Do you want right-wing religious leaders to be so unpopular that politicians avoid them rather than pander to them for endorsements? Drawing on the latest social-scientific research on religion to help interested nonbelievers—and even progressive believers—weaken the influence of fundamentalist religion in society at large, How to Defeat Religion in 10 Easy Steps illustrates specific, actionable steps we all can take to facilitate fundamentalist religion's decline. It covers topics as far ranging as education, welfare, sex, science, capitalism, and Christmas, and each of the 10 chapters focuses on a specific action that research has shown can weaken religion, detailing why and how, and concluding with specific recommendations for individuals, local groups, and national organizations.

Unapologetic

Unapologetic PDF

Author: John W. Loftus

Publisher: Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA)

Published: 2016-11-01

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1634311000

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Just as intelligent design is not a legitimate branch of biology in public educational institutions, nor should the philosophy of religion be a legitimate branch of philosophy. So argues acclaimed author John W. Loftus in this forceful takedown of the very discipline in which he was trained. In his call for ending the philosophy of religion, he argues that, as it is presently being practiced, the main reason the discipline exists is to serve the faith claims of Christianity. Most of philosophy of religion has become little more than an effort to defend and rationalize preexisting Christian beliefs. If subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geology are all taught without reference to faith-based supernatural forces as explanations, faith-based teachings should not be acceptable in this discipline either. While the book offers a fascinating study of the fallacies and flaws on which one whole field of study rests, it speaks to something much larger in the ongoing culture wars. By highlighting the stark differences between faith-based reasoning and evidence-based reasoning, Loftus presents vital arguments and lessons about the importance of critical thinking not only in all aspects of study but also in life. His conclusions and recommendations thus resonate far beyond the ivory towers and ivy-covered walls of academic institutions.

Christianity and the Limits of Minority Acceptance in America

Christianity and the Limits of Minority Acceptance in America PDF

Author: J. E. Sumerau

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2018-07-27

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 1498563007

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This book explores the ways Christian women in college make sense of bisexual, transgender, polyamorous, and atheist others. Specifically, it explores the ways they express tolerance for some sexual groups, such as lesbian and gay people, while maintaining condemnation of other sexual, gendered, or religious groups. In so doing, this book highlights the limits of Christian tolerance for the advancement of minority rights.

Organized Secularism in the United States

Organized Secularism in the United States PDF

Author: Ryan T. Cragun

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2017-11-07

Total Pages: 329

ISBN-13: 3110441950

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Recent decades have witnessed the dramatic growth of an organized secularist movement that serves the needs of and advocates for the nonreligious. This volume brings together the latest research on organized secularism in the US, including its history, institution building, activist and political strategies, and its social functions in the lives of secularist individuals and families

Queer Sites in Global Contexts

Queer Sites in Global Contexts PDF

Author: Regner Ramos

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-12-29

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 1000318427

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Queer Sites in Global Contexts showcases a variety of cross-cultural perspectives that foreground the physical and online experiences of LGBTQ+ people living in the Caribbean, South and North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The individual chapters—a collection of research-based texts by scholars around the world—provide twelve compelling case studies: queer sites that include buildings, digital networks, natural landscapes, urban spaces, and non-normative bodies. By prioritizing divergent histories and practices of queer life in geographies that are often othered by dominant queer studies in the West—female sex workers, people of color, indigenous populations, Latinx communities, trans identities, migrants—the book constructs thoroughly situated, nuanced discussions on queerness through a variety of research methods. The book presents tangible examples of empirical research and practice-based work in the fields of queer and gender studies; geography, architectural, and urban theory; and media and digital culture. Responding to the critical absence surrounding experiences of non-White queer folk in Western academia, Queer Sites in Global Contexts acts as a timely resource for scholars, activists, and thinkers interested in queer placemaking practices—both spatial and digital—of diverse cultures.

Values and Identities in Europe

Values and Identities in Europe PDF

Author: Michael J. Breen

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-01-20

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 1315397129

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Contrary to what is suggested in media and popular discourses, Europe is neither a monolithic entity nor simply a collection of nation states. It is, rather, a union of millions of individuals who differ from one another in a variety of ways while also sharing many characteristics associated with their ethnic, social, political, economic, religious or national characteristics. This book explores differences and similarities that exist in attitudes, beliefs and opinions on a range of issues across Europe. Drawing on the extensive data of the European Social Survey, it presents insightful analyses of social attitudes, organised around the themes of religious identity, political identity, family identity and social identity, together with a section on methodological issues. A collection of rigorously analysed studies on national, comparative and pan-European levels, Values and Identities in Europe offers insight into the heart and soul of Europe at a time of unprecedented change. As such, it will appeal to scholars across the social sciences with interests in social attitudes, social change in Europe, demographics and survey methods.

Discovering Our World

Discovering Our World PDF

Author: Paul Singh

Publisher: Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA)

Published: 2015-04-01

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 1634310055

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Where did everything come from? Why are humans so biologically similar, and why do we let small differences divide us? What shall determine our destiny? Paul Singh and John R. Shook draw on the latest findings from the physical and biological sciences, astronomy and cosmology, geology and genetics, and prehistory and archeology in search of answers. As they lucidly and engagingly demonstrate, the answers science gives about ourselves and the universe in which we live are incomparably more surprising and interesting than any mythical tale about some clash of titans or calculating creator. Indeed, science's proud journey of exploration and discovery is humanity's finest narrative yet, about how we trusted our intelligence to find out what we really are and who we can be—intrepidly going wherever the evidence led. Even though science reveals that humanity may have no special place in the universe, humanity is truly special because of our ability to comprehend our universe. Thus, this inspiring story of exploration and discovery is a celebration not only of science—of science's knowledge of the world, and of science's own journeys to gain that knowledge—but also of ourselves.

From Your Lips to God's Ear

From Your Lips to God's Ear PDF

Author: Randy Connolly

Publisher: 2LAKES PUBLISHING

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13: 0972240063

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Singles on a quest for the right mate will discover the insight they need to live the life they want and find their ideal partner in this practical guide. Using their amazing story of how they found one another, this husband-and-wife team encourages singles to skip the dating scene and put a personal advert in god's newspaper -- to align their conscious and unconscious minds with the energies of the universe to bring them together with their ideal love. Point-by-point, their 10-step plan shows readers how to break through the beliefs that hinder the attainment of what they most want, send the message they intend to send, and discover the direct route to the partner they desire.

What You Don't Know about Religion (but Should)

What You Don't Know about Religion (but Should) PDF

Author: Ryan T. Cragun

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780985281533

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Studying religion as a social phenomenon, Cragun follows the scientific data to answers questions about the nature and state of religion (and nonreligion) across populations. If you've ever wondered whether religion helps or hurts society, Cragun argues, our world needs a new way of thinking about religion.

How to Start Your Own Religion

How to Start Your Own Religion PDF

Author: Philip Athans

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2012-05-18

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 1440538824

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Yes, world domination and eternal adoration can be yours! "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion." —Attributed to L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology Wouldn't you like to control countless worshippers with a single word? To call forth bountiful offerings of gold and silver? Wouldn't you love to make your acolytes bow in awe of your greatness? Starting a new religion can be fun and profitable. You'll laugh along with Philip Athans (founder, leader, and sole member of the Church of Phil), as he shows you how to: Gather the flock and keep 'em coming back for more Organize mysterious and complex rituals Interrogate (or just ridicule) the hell out of nonbelievers Recruit celebrity spokespeople, from Tom Cruise to Uma Thurman If you've ever felt the need to sacrifice on an altar beneath a blood-red moon, or just make Friday a holy day (three-day weekend, anyone?), this is the only sacred creed you need. Live long and prosper.