Faith and Its Critics: A Conversation
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Heralded as the exponents of a "new atheism," critics of religion are highly visible in today's media, and include the household names of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris. David Fergusson explains their work in its historical perspective, drawing comparisons with earlier forms of atheism. Responding to the critics through conversations on the credibility of religious belief, Darwinism, morality, fundamentalism, and our approach to reading sacred texts, he establishes a compelling case for the practical and theoretical validity of faith in the contemporary world.An invitation to engage in a rich dialogue, Faith and Its Critics supports an informed and constructive exchange of ideas rather than a contest between two sides of the debate. Fergusson encourages faith communities to undertake patient engagement with their critics, to acknowledge the place for change and development in their self-understanding whilst resisting the reductive explanations of the new atheism.
Introduction 11 Atheism in Historical Perspective 152 The Credibility of Religious Belief: Claims and Counter-Claims 343 Darwinism: How Much Does It Explain? 614 Morality, Art, and Religion: Invention or Discovery? 915 Is Religion Bad For Our Health? Saints, Martyrs, and Terrorists 1206 Sacred Texts: How Should We Read Them? 151Conclusion 178Bibliography 182Index 191
