Sharing Reality
Sharing Reality
“This is a clear, candid, and iconoclastic contribution to the contemporary God debates. Haley and McGowan challenge believers and atheists alike with their radical vision of religion’s future.”
—Russell Blackford, Laureate, International Academy of Humanism and editor-in-chief, the Journal of Evolution and Technology
About the Book
Religions are a natural outgrowth of the intuitive ways of knowing that evolved with human culture. Though many people continue to find value in religious identity and community, intuitive knowledge has been eclipsed by a more effective way of knowing—the scientific way. A better way of relating religion to politics called secularism is gradually replacing theocracy. Once you understand and accept the scientific way of knowing and this preferred relationship of church and state, you become agnostic and secular—even if you continue to identify with and participate in religion. As Jeff T. Haley and Dale McGowan argue in this volume, this isn’t some abstract dream—it’s happening right now. Religions are in a continuous state of evolution, changing beliefs, values, and practices over time. All religions, including Christianity and Islam, can evolve to accept the scientific way of knowing and secularism, becoming agnostic and even atheistic without losing their essential value. Haley and McGowan explain how you can help this natural process, sharing reality with your friends and family in a way that encourages religions to embrace the best of humanity's knowledge and values.
About the Author(s)
Jeff T. Haley is a scientist, lawyer, and inventor. He has argued before the U.S Supreme Court, and founded and directed the nonprofit that led Washington state's successful medical marijuana initiative. He is currently the founder and CEO of OraHealth, which sells his patented healthcare products through 30,000 pharmacies worldwide. Dale McGowan is the author and editor of numerous books, including Parenting Beyond Belief, In Faith and In Doubt, and Atheism for Dummies. In 2008 he was named Harvard Humanist of the Year for his work in nonreligious parent education.
Details
ISBN: 9781634311267
Format: paperback
SRP: $14.95
Page count: 151 pages
Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5
Pub date: September 2017
More Praise
“Should atheists and scientists—especially scientists who are atheists—just be disdainful of religious people, however thoughtful the believers may be? In Sharing Reality, Jeff T. Haley and Dale McGowan not only insist that disdain is not the way—they lay out in rich detail a better way. With wit and a compelling command of the facts, the authors are persuasive that their answer is correct—and vitally important.”
—Ed Buckner, Former President, American Atheists“This is the best case yet made for a different approach toward secularizing the world by working with religious populations to liberalize their faith. Anyone who would balk at such an approach simply has to contend with the arguments in this book. There is a place for the diplomatic approach, and this book makes a case for it. It deserves to be heard and considered.”
—Richard Carrier, author, Sense and Goodness without God and On the Historicity of Jesus“Sharing Reality is an important and very readable work for the secular movement in world politics, which is becoming increasingly infected with the excesses that traditional religion invites. In Sharing Reality, the authors make a heroically diplomatic plea for secularism that would unite people of all stripes.”
—Shadia Drury, author, Terror and Civilization: Christianity, Politics, and the Western Psyche“We have long been in need of this book. In our often-stonewalled conversation with religious believers, Haley and McGowan bring a vital contribution for the dialogue of both coffee tables and conference halls. Packed full of insights, Sharing Reality turns our focus toward the critical component of science acceptance and exposes how the language we often use hinders real progress.”
—Drew Bekius, Communications Director, The Clergy Project and author, The Rise and Fall of Faith
Related Titles
