Why Gods Persist: A Scientific Approach to Religion

by Robert A. Hinde

First published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Genres: Religion, Science, Atheism, Nonfiction, Psychology

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 1999

Reviews

[Riversue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at the psychological and anthropological effects of religion. It is quite comprehensive and does manage a pretty objective coverage.

[Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an agnostic's attempt to explain away religions from the perspectives of psychology, anthropology, and sociology. The leitmotiv is that religious activities are fundamentally similar to secular phenomena. The sacred can therefore persist as easily as the profane, particularly if they are prosocial and can help to maintain societal stability and well being. Human beings are biologically predisposed to them. The author "focus[es] primarily on Christianity" because he "[has] had a personal acquaintance with it" (p.7). I find his understanding of Christianity superficial, incomplete, and distorted. To a hammer everything looks like a nail, and I think he interprets Christianity (religion) in a way to fit his preconceived thesis. So overall the book is not convincing but still full of insights. Three stars.

[Luis Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

El libro es un tanto difícil de leer por el hecho de buscar apegarse al rigor científico en sus declaraciones, lo cual es una buena práctica, cuando se discute un tema tan controvertido como es la religión. A algunos podrá disgustarles que se aborde el tema desde un punto de vista tan racional, pero no fue mi caso.