The Vanquished Gods: Science, Religion, and the Nature of Belief (Prometheus Lecture Series) [Hardcover]

Richard H. Schlagel (Author)

Book Description

Series: Prometheus Lecture Series | Publication Date: June 2001

The greatest influence on Western civilisation during the past two millennia has been the Judeo-Christian religious tradition. Besides its influence on religious beliefs, it has also shaped Western values, conceptions of origins, customs, political systems, and overall worldview. But today, owing to the unprecedented scientific and technological advances in the 20th century, this influence has greatly diminished. Developments in the natural sciences have radically altered our understanding of human existence and the universe; biblical scholarship has demystified the Bible; and scientific inquiry has superseded biblical and church authority. Despite this dramatic shift in our frame of reference, the public seems largely unaware of the radical conceptual implications of scientific discoveries and explanations. The aim of this clearly written, engaging work by philosopher Richard Schlagel is to provide the open-minded reader with the necessary historical, biblical, and scientific background for understanding and evaluating this crucial development. Reviewing both the history of science and the history of Judaism and Christianity as uncovered by modern scholarship, Schlagel comes to the conclusion that the religious viewpoint has been rendered obsolete by the scientific method. Following Socrates' dictum that 'the unexamined life is not worth living'. Schlagel exhorts us all to leave outmoded tradition behind and accept the rationally compelling evidence of the scientific worldview.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The serious reader will be profoundly challenged by his conclusions." -- The Review of Metaphysics, September 2004

"the most devastating and biting critique this reviewer has ever come across in the vast field of science versus religion" -- National Jewish Post & Opinion

"wide-ranging discussion of biblical criticism, religious history, scientific progress and ideas, and particularly modern biology and its implications for society." -- About.com

From the Author

"I maintain, without serious misgivings or regrets, that the Age of Religion is coming to an end. There arrives a time when major institutions of the past become outmoded, whatever their previous glory; history is a graveyard of discarded religions, philosophies, ideologies, and political systems." ---From the Introduction

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 349 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573928984
• ISBN-13: 978-1573928984
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Analysis of Our Human Heritage, January 6, 2002

By 

Bradley P. Rich (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Vanquished Gods: Science, Religion, and the Nature of Belief (Prometheus Lecture Series) (Hardcover)

This is that rare book that I can recommend whole-heartedly, while telling you that I reject the author's conclusion absolutely. Shlagel contends that the age of religion is coming to an end and that scientific reasoning will replace it. In a world filled with religious believers flying loaded airliners into crowded buildings and religious sects killing one another from one corner of this planet to the other, it is my belief, sadly, that this will change in my lifetime or any other. Nevertheless, while the reader may reject Schlagel's upbeat conclusions, his analysis of traditional human thought is wonderful.

Schlagel combines into one very readable volume a short history of the human species, the developments in Western thought, philosophy, and a critique of the major religious movements. The author makes a compelling case for the inadequacy of religious thought and for the superiority of the scientific method for solving mankind's problems. He does not convince me of the likelihood of that eventuality.

The scope of this book is tremendous. I would recommend it highly to the reader prepared to rethink human history in the broadest possible way. This book endeavors, with suprising success, to bring together the historical, philosophical, religious and scientific principles to allow the reader to truly see the "big picture" of human history.

Excellent!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Very Good Book, August 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Vanquished Gods: Science, Religion, and the Nature of Belief (Prometheus Lecture Series) (Hardcover)

I really liked this book. It took a somewhat unusual approach by covering a range of topics that one does not normally find addressed in a single book. I wish I had a book like this when I was struggling with my own beliefs. The writing is clear and convincing. It was an enjoyable and informative read.