07010cam a22006134a 4500 ocm59661231 OCoLC 20200709055119.0 m d cr cnu|||unuuu 050426s2005 nju ob 001 0 eng d 2004007531 N$T eng pn N$T OCL OCLCQ YDXCP OCLCQ OCLCF DKDLA NLGGC OCLCQ ADU E7B REDDC BAKER S4S COO OCLCQ EBLCP OCLCQ AZK CNNLC 70736818 149459087 474859393 475426620 614983556 646731289 697758705 722352099 888702154 961652878 962689322 0813537436 (electronic bk.) 9780813537436 (electronic bk.) 9780813535111 (hardcover ; alk. paper) 0813535115 (hardcover ; alk. paper) 129959 (N$T) (OCoLC)59661231 (OCoLC)70736818 (OCoLC)149459087 (OCoLC)474859393 (OCoLC)475426620 (OCoLC)614983556 (OCoLC)646731289 (OCoLC)697758705 (OCoLC)722352099 (OCoLC)888702154 (OCoLC)961652878 (OCoLC)962689322 00023046 BL53 .R82 2005eb REL 075000 bisacsh 200/.1/9 22 MAIN Rue, Loyal D. Religion is not about God : how spiritual traditions nurture our biological nature and what to expect when they fail / Loyal Rue. New Brunswick, NJ : Rutgers University Press, ©2005. 1 online resource (vii, 392 pages) text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier data file rda Includes bibliographical references (pages 369-380) and index. Print version record. Annotation Thousands of religious traditions have appeared over the course of human history but only a relative few have survived. Since some speak of a myriad of gods, others speak of only one, and some recognize no gods at all, we can conclude that belief in a supernatural being is not the only thing that holds a faith tradition together. Volumes have been written attempting to prove the existence or non-existence of supernatural being(s). So, if religion is not about God, then what on earth is it about? In this provocative book, Loyal Rue contends that religion, very basically, is about us. Successful religions are narrative (myth) traditions that influence human nature so that we might think, feel, and act in ways that are good for us, both individually and collectively. Through the use of images, symbols, and rituals, religion promotes reproductive fitness and survival through the facilitation of harmonious social relations. Rue builds his argument by first assembling a theory of human nature, drawn from recent developments in cognitive science and evolutionary theory. He shows how cognitive and emotional systems work together and how they are conditioned by cultural influences, including religion. He then surveys the major religious traditions-Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism-to show how each one, in its own way, has guided human behavior to advance the twin goals of personal fulfillment and social coherence. As all religions are increasingly faced with a crisis of intellectual plausibility and moral relevance, they are being rendered incapable of shaping behavior in ways that might prevent unsustainable patterns of human population and consumption. Rue warns that when religions outlive their adaptive utility, they become positive threats to human survival. Despite its bold and ambitious goals, this book is hostile to neither the idea of God nor religious life. Written respectfully throughout, Religion Is Not about God will appeal to a broad audience interested in issues of faith and science. Annotation In the course of human history, thousands of religious traditions have appeared, each with distinctive patterns of meaning. Some speak of a myriad of gods, others speak of only one, while some recognize no gods at all. Volumes have been written attempting to prove the existence or non-existence of supernatural being(s). But, if religion is not about God, then what on earth is it about? In this provocative book, Loyal Rue contends that religion, very basically, is about us. More specifically, it is a series of strategies that aims to influence human nature so that we might think, feel, and act in ways that are good for us, both individually and collectively. Employing images, symbols, and rituals, religion's main goals are to promote reproductive fitness and survival through the facilitation of harmonious social relations. Rue builds his argument by first assembling a theory of human nature, drawn from recent developments in cognitive science and evolutionary theory. He shows how cognitive and emotional systems work together and how they are conditioned by cultural influences, including religion. He then surveys the major religious traditions--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism--to show how each, in its own way, has guided human behavior to advance the twin goals of personal fulfillment and social coherence. Rue also considers the prospects for religious traditions in the light of contemporary challenges. As all religions are increasingly faced with a dual crisis of intellectual plausibility and moral relevance, they are being rendered less capable of shaping behavior in ways that are usefully adaptive. Rue warns that when religions outlive their adaptive utility, theybecome positive threats to human survival. Despite its bold and ambitious goals, this book is hostile to neither the idea of God nor religious life in general. Rue acknowledges that both can coexist with the idea of religion. Annotation If religion is not about God, then what on earth is it about? Loyal Rue contends that religion is a series of strategies that aims to influence human nature so that we might think, feel, and act in ways that are good for us, both individually and collectively. Master record variable field(s) change: 082 Psychology, Religious. Genetic psychology. RELIGION Psychology of Religion. bisacsh Genetic psychology. fast (OCoLC)fst00940076 Psychology, Religious. fast (OCoLC)fst01081630 Electronic books. Print version: Rue, Loyal D. Religion is not about God. New Brunswick, NJ : Rutgers University Press, ©2005 0813535115 (DLC) 2004007531 (OCoLC)54959705 EBSCOhost http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=129959 Baker & Taylor BKTY 28.95 28.95 0813535115 0006007154 active EBL - Ebook Library EBLB EBL3032135 ebrary EBRY ebr10078443 EBSCOhost EBSC 129959 YBP Library Services YANK 2343025 92 N$T 48930 48930