Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In the last century, some professional "theorists," and large chunks of the culture with them, have begun to claim that religion boils down to no more than society's self-worship, self-delusion, and desire to control others. But in Why God?, renowned sociologist of religion Rodney Stark reveals the complete lack of evidence behind these popular "theories." Drawing from a fascinating array of historical data, he offers a compelling argument showing why almost all people, in all places and all times, have been religious--and why, contra these "theorists," you can't explain religion without god.
Each chapter of Why God? adds to Stark's definitive explanation of religion, clearing the path for new understandings of core elements of religious life and history, such as the origins of monotheism, the implications of sin, the rise and spread of religious movements, and the function of revelations in the world today.
Why God? is a much needed guide for anyone who wants a thorough understanding of religion, as well as a firm refuta-tion to those who think religion is just a deceitful ruse that can exist without true devotion to a god.
Synopsis
Why is it that the majority of people, from all socio-economic, education, and ethnic backgrounds, ascribe to some sort of faith? What draws us to religion? What pushes us away? And what exactly is religion anyway?
Defining religion over the past century has, ironically, led to theories that exclude belief in God, proposing that all systems of thought concerning the meaning of life are religions. Of course, this makes it impossible to distinguish the village priest from the village atheist, or Communism from Catholicism. Worse yet, it makes all religious behavior irrational, presuming that, for example, people knowingly pray to an empty sky.
Renowned sociologist of religion Rodney Stark offers a comprehensive, decisive, God-centered theory of religion in his book, Why God: Explaining Religious Phenomena. While his intent is not to insist that God exists, Stark limits religions to systems of thought based on belief in supernatural beings--to Gods. With this God-focused theory, Stark explores the entire range of religious topics, including the rise of monotheism, the discovery of sin, causes of religious hostility and conflict, and the role of revelations.
Each chapter of Why God? builds a comprehensive framework, starting with the foundations of human motivations and ending with an explanation of why most people are religious. Stark ultimately settles what religion is, what it does, and why it is a universal feature of human societies.
Why God? is a much needed guide for anyone who wants a thorough understanding of religion and our relationship to it, as well as a firm refutation to those who think religion can exist without the divine.