Adieu to God: Why Psychology Leads to Atheism

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John Wiley & Sons, Jan 30, 2012 - Religion - 214 pages
Adieu to God examines atheism from a psychological perspective and reveals how religious phenomena and beliefs are psychological rather than supernatural in origin.
  • Answers the psychological question of why, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, do religions continue to prosper?
  • Looks at atheism and religion using a fair and balanced approach based on the latest work in psychology, sociology, anthropology, psychiatry and medicine
  • Acknowledges the many psychological benefits of religion while still questioning the validity of its supernatural belief systems and providing atheist alternatives to a fulfilling life
 

Contents

The Psychology of ReligionThe Varieties
33
Abnormal Experience
61
Social Structures and Religion
89
Religion Power and Control
113
Religion and Health
141
How to Be a Healthy Atheist
167
References
181
Author Index
191
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About the author (2012)

Mick Power is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, as well as a practicing Clinical Psychologist who has worked at Guy's Hospital and Maudsley and Bethlem Hospitals. Raised as a Catholic, Power became an atheist at 16.

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