The Case for Religion

Long before the release of the "God Delusion", this influential and incisive book was defending religious belief on all sides from its detractors. THE CHARGE Religion is nothing more than a collection of naïve supersticions and delusions, which have been superseded by science. THE DEFENDER Acclaimed thinker, author and scholar Keith Ward, Emeritus Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford, England. THE ARGUMENT Ward dismantles the case against religion presented by the prosecution – many of them prominent scientists, sociologists and psychologists. Tracing the development of religion from the Ice Age to the Information Age he clairifies exactly what religion is, how religions have developed, and how and why they differ. His powerful conclusion argues that religion is one of the few ways to solve modern problems, but that we need a new vision that embraces the different world faiths and promotes mutual understanding and tolerance. THE WITNESSES Ward calls Aristotle, Rumi, Freud, Darwin, Einstein, Kierkegaard and Descartes (and many more besides). THE EXHIBITS Ward presents evidence as diverse as primitive cave paintings, ancient sculptures, Kant’s ethical writings and Star Wars. THE VERDICT Is religion guilty as charged, or does is still have a role in our global community? How should it respond to the challenges of the age? The decision, reader, is yours.