While science renews itself by refuting and replacing pictures of how the world is, religion derives its longevity from the ability to create images of how the world ought to be. In this view, religions arise as legitimate protests against prevailing ways of life--that is, as forms of critique. Robert Ackermann here explores this idea, considering the manner in which six major religion systems (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Marxism, Hinduism, and Buddhism) articulate critique. This approach differs markedly from most ...
Read More
While science renews itself by refuting and replacing pictures of how the world is, religion derives its longevity from the ability to create images of how the world ought to be. In this view, religions arise as legitimate protests against prevailing ways of life--that is, as forms of critique. Robert Ackermann here explores this idea, considering the manner in which six major religion systems (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Marxism, Hinduism, and Buddhism) articulate critique. This approach differs markedly from most contemporary philosophy of religion, which the author believes has grown sterile by seeing its task as the logical analysis of religions viewed as collections of dogmata. He proposes instead that one see the major religions as both dead ands alive, "dead in their orthodoxy, but alive in providing a source of critical ideas for evaluating surrounding society." After indicating the latent possibilities for social critique in such issues as environmental concerns, war, and the status of women, Ackermann turns to the history of Christianity in the United States. He utilizes the grid/group analysis of Mary Douglas and ideas from Thomas Luckmann, Robert Bellah, and John Cuddihy to trace Christianity's evolution from confrontation to quiet accommodation. Ackermann demonstrates that currently privatized versions of Christianity have lost out to a largely unnoticed civil religion whose critical resources are too impoverished to provide more than short-term social steering. In this situation, Christianity's critical potential is unlikely to be noticed, particularly by those who turn to other religious traditions for critical perspectives on contemporary society.
Read Less
Add this copy of Religion as Critique [Hardcover] to cart. $11.50, very good condition, Sold by Lee Madden Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brattleboro, VT, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by University of Massachusetts Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. U Mass, 1985; 1st edition. Fine HC in Very Good DJ. Red cloth over boards, silver titles. Bright, clean, square covers and spine; tightly bound; bright, crisp, clean interior. DJ is clean and complete; faded on spine, titles clear; label at lower spine (from professor's personal reference library). 8vo, 171 pp; index, biblio.
Add this copy of Religion as Critique to cart. $11.76, like new condition, Sold by Daedalus Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Portland, OR, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by University of Massachusetts Press.
Add this copy of Religion as Critique to cart. $15.00, very good condition, Sold by Murphy-Brookfield Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Iowa City, IA, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by Univ. Of Massachusetts.
Add this copy of Religion as Critique to cart. $20.00, very good condition, Sold by Grendel Books, ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Springfield, MA, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by University of Massachusetts Press,.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 0870234625. First edition. Review copy with slip laid in. Light foxing on top edge, else near fine in a near fine (a bit faded along the spine) dust jacket.
Add this copy of Religion as a Critique to cart. $32.58, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1985 by University Of Massachusetts Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 500grams, ISBN: 0870234625.
Add this copy of Religion as Critique to cart. $43.07, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by University of Massachusetts Pr.