The Case for Religion

by Keith Ward

In this, the paperback edition of the influential bestseller, Keith Ward dismantles the attacks on religion by scientists, sociologists, and psychologists, who claim that religion is nothing more than a host of naïve superstitions and delusions. Examining the work of thinkers from Sigmund Freud to Emile Durkheim, Ward offers an alternative view, demonstrating religion's key contribution to the human condition and its crucial relevance to the world today.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christianity

256 pages, Hardcover

Published March 29, 2004

About the author

Keith Ward was formerly the Regius Professor of Divinity and Head of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oxford. A priest of the Church of England and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, he holds Doctor of Divinity degrees from Cambridge and Oxford Universities. He has lectured at the universities of Glasgow, St. Andrew's and Cambridge.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

"It shows just why and how religions differ they are not in chaotic conflict but they explore the logical possible set of answers to basic human questions of spiritual meaning"
Keith Ward - the case for religion

( somebody give him a newspaper please.)
Misnamed, more a walk through religious history with some comments on the side, some quite good. Some good criticism of the so called new atheists, yet too much cheery picking in favor of religions. Overstates the good that can be attributed to religion while underplaying the bad stuff.

" The stage set for ... God given rights" p153 ... seriously? Assertion, citation required.

"...explains why we should tolerate and respect views other than our own" p230 bold assertion, um, no, it depends on what those views are, if the views are such that one should murder those who have other views then we should not only not respect them but actively discourage those particular religious views ( same would go for non religious ideologies of course).

If he means religion in the sense of people being "bound" together to help others etc then yay. A case for religion? ... this isnt.

[Rick Edwards]

Ward seeks to dismantle the case against religion presented by prominent scientists, sociologists, and psychologists. He traces the development of religion from the ice age to the information age, clarifying what it is, how religions develop, and how and why they differ. He argues that, while religion is one of the few ways to solve modern problems, it requires a new vision more inclusive of
different world faiths.

[Joshua Jehudah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the histroy of religon and how it evolved. A must read for those in religion