A Religion of NatureThe beauty, sublimity, and wonder of nature have been justly celebrated in all of the religious traditions of the world, but usually these traditions have focused on beings or powers presumed to lie behind nature, providing nature s ultimate explanation and meaning. In a radical departure, Donald A. Crosby makes an eloquent case for regarding nature itself as the focus of religion, conceived without God, gods, or animating spirits of any kind, and argues that nature is metaphysically ultimate. He explores the concept of nature, the place of humans in nature, the responsibilities of humans to one another and to their natural environments, and offers a religious vision that grants to nature the kind of reverence, awe, love, and devotion formerly reserved for God. Crosby also shares his personal journey from theistic faith to a religion of nature. |
Contents
From God to Nature A Personal Odyssey | 3 |
The Nature of Nature | 15 |
Concept of Nature | 17 |
Science and Nature | 43 |
Values in Nature | 57 |
Humans and Nature | 89 |
A Religion of Nature | 115 |
The Nature of Religion and a Religion of Nature | 117 |
Objections to a Religion of Nature | 131 |
The Religious Ultimacy of Nature | 159 |
Notes | 171 |
| 187 | |
| 193 | |
| 197 | |
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Common terms and phrases
abstract animals argue argument aspects assumed awareness believe biological bodies causal chapter character claims closely complex conception concern consciousness context continue contrast cosmic creativity creatures critical cultures death dependent discussion distinctive diversity earth evidence evil example exist experience explain fact feelings final forms freedom function fundamental give given human idea important inquiry interpretations kind language laws least lives means metaphysical mind moral natural sciences nature's notes notion object observation organisms ourselves pain particular past pattern perspective philosophical possible practical present Press question reality reason reflect regard relations religion of nature religious requires response role scientific scientists seen sense significant simply species suffering term theories things thought tion traditional true truth ultimate understanding University values vision whole York
References to this book
Gods after God: An Introduction to Contemporary Radical Theologies Richard Grigg Limited preview - 2006 |