DESCRIPTION
Holy wars, crusades, discrimination, intolerance -- these by-products of religion are all that many contemporary commentators can see. But
is religion dangerous? Is it a force for evil or even "the root of all evil," as Richard Dawkins has claimed? Does religion lead to terrorism and violence? Are religious beliefs irrational and immoral?
One of Britain's foremost philosopher-theologians, Keith Ward here addresses these concerns with intelligence and insight. Without religion, he argues, the human race would be considerably worse off and have little hope for the future. Thought-provoking and compellingly argued,
Is Religion Dangerous? is a trenchant response to today's critics of religion.
REVIEWS
Times Literary Supplement
"A beautifully argued book. . . Keith Ward takes the common sense view that while religion, like everything else (say, politics, sex, science, knowledge, and life itself), can be dangerous, on the whole it contributes to human flourishing."
The Daily Telegraph
"Ward is successful in demonstrating that critics of religion are often guilty of conflating the worst with the best in order to dismiss the whole. . . It will be interesting to see whether the moderate and humane tone of this book makes an impact at a time when the voices that are most clearly heard are those that shout the loudest."
Third Way
"Compellingly wise, combining a philosopher's grasp of the issues with a congenial readability. . . A welcome reply to some increasingly intensive attacks. . . Above all it is an admirably fair assessment of one of the most important issues of our day."
Booklist
"Although he lacks the glibness, arrogance, and fame of best-selling antireligionists Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, Ward neatly cuts the ground from under such global-village atheists."