Download or read book The Illusion of God s Presence written by John C. Wathey and published by Prometheus Books. This book was released on 2016 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An essential feature of religious experience across many cultures is the intuitive feeling of God's presence. More than any rituals or doctrines, it is this experience that anchors religious faith, yet it has been largely ignored in the scientific literature on religion.Starting with a vivid narrative account of the life-threatening hike that triggered his own mystical experience, biologist John Wathey takes the reader on a scientific journey to find the sources of religious feeling and the illusion of God's presence. His book delves into the biological origins of this compelling feeling, attributing it to innate neural circuitry that evolved to promote the mother-child bond. Dr. Wathey argues that evolution has programmed the infant brain to expect the presence of a loving being who responds to the child's needs. As the infant grows into adulthood, this innate feeling is eventually transferred to the realm of religion, where it is reactivated through the symbols, imagery, and rituals of worship. The author interprets our various conceptions of God in biological terms as illusory supernormal stimuli that fill an emotional and cognitive vacuum left over from infancy. These insights shed new light on some of the most vexing puzzles of religion, like the popular belief in a god who is judgmental and punishing, yet also unconditionally loving; the extraordinary tenacity of faith; the greater religiosity of women relative to men; religious obsessions with sex; the mysterious compulsion to pray; the seemingly irrepressible feminine attributes of God, even in traditionally patriarchal religions; and the strange allure of cults. Finally, Dr. Wathey considers the hypothesis that religion evolved to foster reproductive success, arguing that, in an age of potentially ruinous overpopulation, magical thinking has become a luxury we can no longer afford, one that distracts us from urgent threats to our planet.Deeply researched yet elegantly written in a jargon-free and accessible style, this book presents a compelling interpretation of the evolutionary origins of spirituality and religion.
Download or read book Is God an Illusion written by Deepak Chopra and published by Random House. This book was released on 2012 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this title, the author argues that there is design in our universe and a deep intelligence behind life. Without defending organised religion, he debunks randomness as an explanation for how Nature evolves and shows how consciousness comes first and matter second.
Download or read book The Future of an Illusion written by Sigmund Freud and published by . This book was released on 1928 with total page 110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book God an illusion written by Ronald Wild and published by novum pro Verlag. This book was released on 2023-08-25 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Is it possible that since the beginning people have worshipped and adored deities that never existed and were based only on wishful thinking, because there simply must be higher powers for all inexplicable phenomena and so that life makes sense? The author explains plausibly on the basis of the texts of the so-called "holy writings" like Bible and Koran why deities spring from the wishful thinking of the people and not as described in these books, the human being was created after the image of God. Because an "all-wise" God would certainly not have created such a defective being as man, who ruthlessly exploits and destroys nature, on whose existence he depends, and also leads barbaric wars even in the name of God.
Download or read book Kidz Gospel Illusions written by Randy Burtis and published by Tyndale House Publishers. This book was released on 2019-08 with total page 117 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With step-by-step instructions (that include photos and scripts!), Gospel Illusions makes it easy for ANYONE to add object lessons and illusions to children''s ministries, Sunday School classes, homeschool curriculum, and more. It features over 35 illusions that are sure to make your kids go--WOW! But more importantly, they will help share the Word of God in a creative and memorable way. Have you ever tried an object lesson and found yourself wondering, Am I doing this right? Most object lesson books are hard to follow since they don''t include photos! Imagine having one that does! Gospel Illusions: Object Lessons You Can Do Includes: Step-by-step instructions for over 35 illusions Photos showing how to do each major step Scripts on what to say Discussion questions to help kids apply key lessons to their lives Whether you are new to illusions or a pro, you''ll find new object lessons to use! You don''t need to practice for hours, crossing your fingers that it will hopefully work. These illusions are quick, easy, and typically require less than 10-15 minutes of practice. Plus, each illusion has a one- to five-star rating for difficulty, so you can conveniently find the right one for your skill (and comfort) level. Unlike other object lesson books, Gospel Illusions: Object Lessons You Can Do uses everyday items that are around your house, saving you time and money. Please note: Illusions are not your average object lesson. They include a Sha-Bam! moment that the kids didn''t see coming, capturing their attention and helping them remember key truths! Softcover, fully reproducible, ages 5-12, 288 pages, 8 3/8 x 11 inches, ISBN 9781628628166. 7 Key Features of This Easy-to-Do Object Lesson Book for Sunday School Step-by-Step Instructions & Process Photos. There are lots of great object lesson books out there, but not all of them SHOW you how the lesson should look. Enjoy having process photos AND detailed instructions for every step to guide you through each illusion easily! Scripts. Comes with scripted dialogue cues on how to explain the significance and lesson behind each illusion. Discussion Questions. Includes relevant reflection questions for each illusion to help kids apply key truths to their lives. Unique Categorization. Wonder which object lessons are safest to try first? No need to wonder. Gospel Illusions'' star rating icons help you find one for your skill level. Anyone Can Do These! From volunteers to teen teaching assistants, these object lessons are simple and easy to follow, using step-by-step instructions and household materials. Age-Appropriate. Save time and money when you have ONE object lesson book for grades K-8! Simple enough for kindergarteners to understand and engaging to pre-teens, these object lessons will wow and astound just about any kid! Expert Advice. Written by experienced children''s pastor and professional illusionist Randy Burtis, Gospel Illusions is packed with fully scripted, easy-to-do object lessons and optic illusions. About the Series Instant Bible Lessons series offers a variety of Bible lessons to help kids grow closer to God in a hands-on way, using interactive activities. Age-appropriate, fully reproducible, and flexible, these books are packed with everything you need to teach the truths of God to children. The series offers lessons for children ages 2-12. The Instant Bible Lessons Series is a must for church or home use. About the Author Randy Burtis, born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, became a follower of Jesus at age fifteen. Since that time, his heart''s desire has been for children''s ministry. His goal is that each child would know they are loved, valued, and accepted; that teachers would be trained to fulfill their mandate to disciple kids; and that parents would be equipped to love their kids into God''s kingdom. To that end, he has traveled to hundreds of churches, spoken at hundreds of camps, and served as a children''s pastor for twenty-five years. He currently serves in Canada''s largest evangelical church, Centre Street Church, where he oversees kindergarten through fourth-grade children and their families. He is also a professional illusionist, having performed thousands of shows for over twenty-five years. Randy is married and has two daughters who joined his family through adoption.
Download or read book God the Grand Illusion written by Dr. Ronald Pleune and published by Page Publishing, Inc. This book was released on 2022-08-29 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The question is this, what do we accept as the truth of what we believe in? We take many things by mere faith, but is faith the right path in putting our trust in a matter just because someone says so? Do we dig into a matter with an open mind rather than prejudice and influences from others as we were growing up? Does our relationship with others influence our perception of what is truth and what is not the truth? Do we tend to accept something as truth because we don't have time or resources to check it out? Or is it because of an emphatic speech by a cleric that proclaims the Bible is "without error" when in fact outside sources point to errors in dates, events, and even interpretation, yet we close our eyes and ears because we ask, "How can this be?" Many times the excuse is made that if so many people believe in a particular biblical statement or condition, then it can't be wrong! Or can it? Debate on biblical issues end up boggling the general populous, and many just walk away from it with disgust, won't deal with it, or dogmatically hold a position of biblical inerrancy. This brings us down to getting into the trenches of discovering the truth, as ugly and contentious it may seem. This is especially true when ufology is brought into the picture, especially when the topic of God or a God is introduced and examined in the light of various scientific disciplines.
Download or read book The Illusion of God s Presence written by John C. Wathey and published by Prometheus Books. This book was released on 2016-01-12 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An essential feature of religious experience across many cultures is the intuitive feeling of God's presence. More than any rituals or doctrines, it is this experience that anchors religious faith, yet it has been largely ignored in the scientific literature on religion. Starting with a vivid narrative account of the life-threatening hike that triggered his own mystical experience, biologist John Wathey takes the reader on a scientific journey to find the sources of religious feeling and the illusion of God's presence. His book delves into the biological origins of this compelling feeling, attributing it to innate neural circuitry that evolved to promote the mother-child bond. Dr. Wathey, a veteran neuroscientist, argues that evolution has programmed the infant brain to expect the presence of a loving being who responds to the child's needs. As the infant grows into adulthood, this innate feeling is eventually transferred to the realm of religion, where it is reactivated through the symbols, imagery, and rituals of worship. The author interprets our various conceptions of God in biological terms as illusory supernormal stimuli that fill an emotional and cognitive vacuum left over from infancy. These insights shed new light on some of the most vexing puzzles of religion, like the popular belief in a god who is judgmental and punishing, yet also unconditionally loving; the extraordinary tenacity of faith; the greater religiosity of women relative to men; religious obsessions with sex; the mysterious compulsion to pray; the seemingly irrepressible feminine attributes of God, even in traditionally patriarchal religions; and the strange allure of cults. Finally, Dr. Wathey considers the hypothesis that religion evolved to foster reproductive success, arguing that, in an age of potentially ruinous overpopulation, magical thinking has become a luxury we can no longer afford, one that distracts us from urgent threats to our planet. Deeply researched yet elegantly written in a jargon-free and accessible style, this book presents a compelling interpretation of the evolutionary origins of spirituality and religion.
Download or read book THE EVOLUTION OF THE GOD ILLUSION written by Ir. Jim K K Wong and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2012-06-16 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As one may have read Cicero in The Nature Of The Gods, ancient people were vivid observers of the sky and the celestial bodies because of their livelihood- they were mostly engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. The cycles of nature and seasons were the most important factors affecting farming civilizations. The brilliant ‘stars’ Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and the zodiac were also objects of great interest. These heavenly bodies were regarded as deities even by learned philosophers. Cicero and Socrates had a field day demolishing these strongly held prevailing ideas. One popular god illusion of the West and Middle East began with patriarch Abraham who was an astronomer from Mesopotamia. He studied Jupiter avidly and could predict its behavior which he used it to his advantage in his migration to the Fertile Crescent and in his encounters with hostile inhabitants. Abraham had the delusion that Jupiter-Yahweh was a deity who could be depended to assist him in troubled times. The Yahweh Delusion was passed down from Abraham to son Isaac and grandson Jacob. Jacob’s 12 sons migrated to Egypt, multiplied and eventually became slaves. Moses a pariah Egyptian prince became the rebel leader of the Hebrew slaves when he discovered his roots. At the opportune moment, c.1450 BCE, Venus erupted from unstable fast-spinning Red Giant Jupiter and shot into the inner solar system like a billiard ball along a highly elliptical orbit. It had several close encounters with Earth, Moon and Mars and created stunning phenomena or ‘miracles’ such as the much exaggerated Ten Plagues, parting of the Red Sea, the rain of manna, apparent stopping of the Earth’s rotation, and even the destruction of the mighty army of Sennacherib near Jerusalem. Moses and his successors apparently knew and could predict more or less unusual celestial phenomena and attributed them to a tribal deity Yahweh who was connected with their deliverance and survival. Every successful prediction or expectation resulted in augmenting the god illusion. The god illusion evolved through stupendous sagas, cross fertilized by neighbors and reformers roughly from 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. However, the Hebrews had a confused idea of this savior deity and its feminine aspects, such as the Celestial Cow giving manna-milk. In the evolutionary process, Yahwist patriarchs literally wrote off the influential Goddess and made Yahweh a lone male god of Judaism and Christianity. The underlying motive developing this god illusion is Moses’ and Israel’s covetousness of the fertile Holy Land. Moses needed a justification to commit genocide, to rob, loot, destroy and drive out people inhabiting the land of milk and honey. The justification is a tribal god of Israelites who gives mandate to his chosen race to rob and steal the Promise Land from ‘evil’ worshippers of false gods! The underlying theory for this god illusion evolution hypothesis is based on Immanuel Velikovsky’s bestseller of the 1950s, Worlds in Collision. This hypothesis met fierce opposition in academia and Establishment Science. The AAAS Symposium 1974 was convened to address the serious challenge. Here, the author produces abstracts from various experts in various disciplines of sciences and arts to counter objections to the underlying theory. The god illusion presented here is my own interpretation of the psychological impacts and aspects of these astounding celestial phenomena. I am using appropriate knowledge in several disciplines to support my thesis, such as radiation chemistry, upper atmosphere chemistry and behavioral science. My training as a stock analyst to read the underlying environment enables me to read in between the lines, to speculate and connect the gaps and dots together and present a satisfying version of the god illusion.
Download or read book God Is an Illusion written by Forest Grace and published by . This book was released on 2011-11 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a guide for individuals who seek spiritual meanings in their daily activities. Indeed, the most important spiritual quest for a human adult is to find the best way to live a meaningful life. No wonder this subject is the focus of most wisdom traditions of the world. These traditions were originated at various times in our history and from different parts of the world; most importantly they share the same core message. Here, the best way for one to live is to experience his or her being, but this must be done with complete genuineness. Elegantly expressed by the symbol of the forever coexisting Yin and Yang, this being is a state of duality simply termed as body (self) coexisting with the spirit (Self). When one is genuinely experiencing this duality, he or she is enlightened according to Buddha, or in transcendence according to Hinduism, or in the Kingdom of God according to Jesus. Though named differently, these states of mind are all the same.
Download or read book Free Will written by Sam Harris and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2012-03-06 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the New York Times bestselling author of The End of Faith, a thought-provoking, "brilliant and witty" (Oliver Sacks) look at the notion of free will—and the implications that it is an illusion. A belief in free will touches nearly everything that human beings value. It is difficult to think about law, politics, religion, public policy, intimate relationships, morality—as well as feelings of remorse or personal achievement—without first imagining that every person is the true source of his or her thoughts and actions. And yet the facts tell us that free will is an illusion. In this enlightening book, Sam Harris argues that this truth about the human mind does not undermine morality or diminish the importance of social and political freedom, but it can and should change the way we think about some of the most important questions in life.
Download or read book God The Failed Hypothesis written by Victor J. Stenger and published by Prometheus Books. This book was released on 2010-08-05 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout history, arguments for and against the existence of God have been largely confined to philosophy and theology, while science has sat on the sidelines. Despite the fact that science has revolutionized every aspect of human life and greatly clarified our understanding of the world, somehow the notion has arisen that it has nothing to say about the possibility of a supreme being, which much of humanity worships as the source of all reality. This book contends that, if God exists, some evidence for this existence should be detectable by scientific means, especially considering the central role that God is alleged to play in the operation of the universe and the lives of humans. Treating the traditional God concept, as conventionally presented in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, like any other scientific hypothesis, physicist Stenger examines all of the claims made for God's existence. He considers the latest Intelligent Design arguments as evidence of God's influence in biology. He looks at human behavior for evidence of immaterial souls and the possible effects of prayer. He discusses the findings of physics and astronomy in weighing the suggestions that the universe is the work of a creator and that humans are God's special creation. After evaluating all the scientific evidence, Stenger concludes that beyond a reasonable doubt the universe and life appear exactly as we might expect if there were no God. This paperback edition of the New York Times bestselling hardcover edition contains a new foreword by Christopher Hitchens and a postscript by the author in which he responds to reviewers' criticisms of the original edition.
Download or read book Is God an Illusion written by Deepak Chopra and published by Random House. This book was released on 2012-10-04 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Hawking have had a major impact on the loud and popular debate between 'aggressive atheists' and religion. The huge sales of their bestselling books show just how much interest people have in their ideas. Now Deepak Chopra is entering this debate, sparring with leading physicist, Professor Leonard Mlodinow (the co-author, with Stephen Hawking, of The Grand Design). In Is God an Illusion?, Chopra argues that there is design in our universe and a deep intelligence behind life. Without defending organised religion, he debunks randomness as an explanation for how Nature evolves and shows how consciousness comes first and matter second. On the other side, Mlodinow argues the viewpoint of science, specifically what modern quantum physics can tell us about our world. In his view, physics, genetics and cosmology will shed far more light on the big questions than rethinking ancient spiritual concepts can ever do. A major work of our time, Is God an Illusion? will not only offer more food for thought for those fascinated by the two sides of this modern conundrum - it will also place Deepak Chopra firmly in the ring of some of the most remarkable, and bestselling, thinkers of our era.
Download or read book Seven Types of Atheism written by John Gray and published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. This book was released on 2018-10-02 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the provocative author of Straw Dogs comes an incisive, surprising intervention in the political and scientific debate over religion and atheism When you explore older atheisms, you will find that some of your firmest convictions—secular or religious—are highly questionable. If this prospect disturbs you, what you are looking for may be freedom from thought. For a generation now, public debate has been corroded by a shrill, narrow derision of religion in the name of an often vaguely understood “science.” John Gray’s stimulating and enjoyable new book, Seven Types of Atheism, describes the complex, dynamic world of older atheisms, a tradition that is, he writes, in many ways intertwined with and as rich as religion itself. Along a spectrum that ranges from the convictions of “God-haters” like the Marquis de Sade to the mysticism of Arthur Schopenhauer, from Bertrand Russell’s search for truth in mathematics to secular political religions like Jacobinism and Nazism, Gray explores the various ways great minds have attempted to understand the questions of salvation, purpose, progress, and evil. The result is a book that sheds an extraordinary light on what it is to be human.
Download or read book God s Illusion Machine written by Mayesvara dasa and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2013-12 with total page 534 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the tidal wave of intellectual argument that followed the 2006 release of Richard Dawkins's God Delusion book, a fierce debate has raged between atheism and religion over the existence of God, leaving the world's scientists and laymen largely undecided in their opinion. God's Illusion Machine presents a fascinating alternative to a debate that has largely been argued within the framework of Christian versus science concepts. Drawing upon the world's oldest body of knowledge (the Vedas), the author describes the massive illusion to which we are all subjected as we mistakenly believe ourselves to be physical creations of the material world. In God's Illusion Machine, the material world is gradually exposed as the ultimate virtual reality machine for wayward souls who prefer a self-centred, rather than a God-centred, existence. In contrast to Richard Dawkins's assertion that the religious are suffering a delusion for believing in God, the author argues that both the atheists and the religious are under the spell of God's deluding energy called Mäyä, which acts in reciprocation with a soul's desire to be in illusion within the physical realm. By applying the profound spiritual insights of Vedic knowledge along with a healthy dose of common sense and good humour, God's Illusion Machine is an enthralling exposé of the deceptive nature of the material world and the false claims of materialists regarding the nature of life and love. It is a triumph of spirituality over both atheistic materialism and religious dogmatism. God's Illusion Machine is a work of major importance realigning Western religion, philosophy, and science with eternal spiritual truths, an enlightening read for both the atheist and the religious, bringing spiritual certainty and true love to bewildered souls in troubled times. For atheists who like a good argument, for the religious who are stuck for a reply to Richard Dawkins, for fans of fantasy and sci-fi where forces of light and illusion contend in battle, and for you, the reader, whatever your disposition, this book will forever change your outlook on life and its meaning. As the rising sun disperses the darkness of night, so in the presence of Krishna (The Absolute Truth), mäyä (illusion) cannot stand.
Download or read book Time and Eternity written by William Lane Craig and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2001-03-01 with total page 259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This remarkable work offers an analytical exploration of the nature of divine eternity and God's relationship to time.
Download or read book A Grand Illusion How Progressive Christianity Undermines Biblical Faith written by David Young and published by Renew. This book was released on 2019-03-12 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A GUIDE FOR EMBRACING BIBLICAL FAITH IN THE FACE OF AMERICAN PROGRESSIVISM North American Christianity stands at a major crossroads. Hundreds of thousands of believers have begun to lose interest in apostolic Christianity: the faith of the Scriptures, the great witnesses and teachers of the faith, and the major creeds and confessions of Christianity. The challenge? Theological progressivism. A Grand Illusion exposes the dangers and contradictions of theological progressivism, revealing its North American, secular and elitist assumptions. It offers a full throttle defense of authentic Christianity. And it exposes the dim future of progressivism. If you are tempted by progressivism, if your church or family members are starting to lean progressive, or if you simply need reassurance that apostolic faith is the real deal, read this book. DAVID YOUNG is a senior pastor, author, speaker, television host, and a former teacher and visiting professor. He holds advanced degrees in religion, including a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He and his family live near Nashville, Tennessee.
Download or read book A Course of Love written by Mari Perron and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2011-03-01 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: No matter how much is learned, if that learning remains in our heads, it is not enough. Unless learning touches our hearts, it's never going to bring us the wisdom we seek, the peace we desire, or the intimacy and connection for which we yearn. A new and more receptive way of knowing is needed, and is found in this course for the heart. "A Course of Love" was received by Mari Perron and given to be a "new" course in miracles. It is for the heart what "A Course in Miracles" is for the mind. For many, it is the next step in a journey already begun.
