Religion Without GodThis criticism of theism, especially monotheism, questions the assumption that rejecting God means rejecting religion. Drawing on Western philosophical critiques of religion and non-theistic Eastern religions, Ray Billington shows how a religion without God could work. The concept of religion without God has informed not only the theories of Nietzsche, Kant and Spinoza, but also expressions of belief in Indian and Chinese religions-Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism Zen and Taoism. Concluding with a look at the "the future of faith," this is a wide ranging and lucidly-written look at what it means to "have faith" and how this is distinct from religious belief. Ray Billington is an experienced and respected author on Eastern religion and philosophy. His books include Understanding Eastern Philospophy, Living Philosophy and East of Existentialism, all published by Routledge. He also writes occasional journalism most notably as a contributor to The Guardian's 'Face to Faith' column. An ex-Methodist minister and onetime chaplain with the SAS, he has now retired from his post as Principal Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of the West of England. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Chapter 2 Religion | 9 |
Chapter 3 Images of God | 18 |
Chapter 4 Why God? | 31 |
Chapter 5 Mysticism | 47 |
Chapter 6 Nondualism in Hinduism | 59 |
Chapter 7 Buddhism | 67 |
Chapter 8 Taoism | 79 |
Chapter 9 Profane religion | 91 |
Chapter 10 Beyond good and evil | 109 |
Chapter 11 Substance without form | 124 |
| 140 | |
| 144 | |
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Common terms and phrases
accept achieve Advaita Advaita Vedanta affirmation Alston’s argued argument Atman become behaviour belief beliefin Bhagavad-gita Brahman Buddha Buddhism centuries Chapter characteristics Christian concept concerned consciousness context cosmological argument course Cupitt death described dimension discussed divine Don Cupitt enlightenment eternal evil example experienced explore expressed fact feel follow God’s existence Godhead gods ground harmony heaven Hindu Hinduism Homo sapiens idea individual inspired intuitive Jesus koan living manifestations matter means meditation Meister Eckhart mind moksha moral mystery mystical experience nature nirvana numinous objects ofthe one’s particular path people’s perfect person philosophy phrase present realisation recognise reflect religious experience remains sacred samadhi satori scriptures seems sense simply soul spiritual suggested supreme Tao Te Ching Taoism tat tvam asi teaching theism theistic religions Theravada things Thou thought ultimate universe Vedanta word world’s religions worship yin and yang zazen