Summary of A. C. Grayling's The God Argument

Everest Media

Description

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.
Sample Book Insights:
#1 The major reason for the continuance of religious belief in a world that might otherwise have long moved beyond it is indoctrination of children before they reach the age of reason, along with all or some combination of social pressure to conform, social reinforcement of religious institutions and traditions, emotion, and ignorance.
#2The distinction between religions and philosophies is important. religions are centered around belief in, worship of, and obedience to a deity or deities, while philosophies do not involve any of those things.
#3 All religions are superstitious, but not all superstitious people are religious. To generalize, most Chinese people are not religious, but they are very superstitious.
#4 A religion is defined as a belief in the existence of a god or gods and other beings outside of the universe who are connected to it in some significant way. The relation of these beings to the universe is significant.

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Éthique et morale
• Movements
• Philosophie et théologie
• Philosophy
• Humanism
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: Everest Media LLC
• Date de parution: 11 mai 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9798822503656
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Insights on A. C. Grayling 's The God Argument
Contents Insights from Chapter 1 Insights from Chapter 2
Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The major reason for the continuance of religious belief in a world that might otherwise have long moved beyond it is indoctrination of children before they reach the age of reason, along with all or some combination of social pressure to conform, social reinforcement of religious institutions and traditions, emotion, and ignorance.

#2

The distinction between religions and philosophies is important. religions are centered around belief in, worship of, and obedience to a deity or deities, while philosophies do not involve any of those things.

#3

All religions are superstitious, but not all superstitious people are religious. To generalize, most Chinese people are not religious, but they are very superstitious.

#4

A religion is defined as a belief in the existence of a god or gods and other beings outside of the universe who are connected to it in some significant way. The relation of these beings to the universe is significant.

#5

A religion is a set of beliefs and practices focused on a god or gods. It is difficult to make literal sense of much theological and religious discourse, which is why religious apologists resort to claims of ineffability concerning the central religious subjects.

#6

The word god is difficult to define, and is often used to refer to a variety of things. It is typically invoked to denote the all-encompassing and unanswerable source of authority governing what people can think, say, eat, and wear.

#7

The word god is too vaguely defined. It is difficult to explain what is meant by the word god, because it is a mystery too great for our finite minds to comprehend.

#8

The existence of an evil deity is far more consistent with the evidence of the world than the existence of a good deity. The Bible gives ample ground for just such a view.

#9

The difference between what ordinary believers believe and the sophisticated versions of doctrine found in what theologians and ecclesiastics say is that the former are taken literally, while the latter are interpreted metaphorically or mystically.

#10

The texts on which Christianity rests were until recently regarded as literal historical truth. But as more and more absurdities are discovered in these texts, theologians are forced to explain-away and cherry-pick.

#11

Reflection on the historical contingencies that make some traditions survive while others fade away helps us see that it is largely a matter of historical accident that some people today believe they are eating the body and drinking the blood of a god.

#12

Religion stems from the period when stories, myths, and supernaturalistic beliefs served as mankind’s earliest science and technology. They explained how things can be made to happen by attributing agency to natural events.

#13

The roots of religion lie in the early efforts at explanation and control. As the agencies premised in these beliefs and practices moved further outward, their usefulness to temporal powers ensured that they survived and flourished.

#14

The most compelling case against faith schools is the example of Northern Ireland. The divisiveness and potential for conflict in sectarian schooling is so stark that its continued existence and even promotion is incomprehensible.

#15

The details of the different sects of each of the religions are so numerous that it takes many volumes of religious encyclopaedias to explain them. Fortunately, the basis of religious belief - namely, the belief in God - requires discussion.

#16

The Evangelical Alliance, a Christian group, published a report that said sinners will be sent to hell, and that it is a sphere of damnation, punishment, anguish, and destruction. It is at odds with a 1996 Church of England report approved by the General Synod that said traditional views of hell are outmoded.

#17

The Catholic Church continues to ban contraception, abortion, and medical stem-cell research.