{"product_id":"9780955150371","title":"Psychology, Symbolism, And The Sacred","description":"Had enough of religious fundamentalism? Disillusioned with traditional religions?\u003cp\u003eCan't understand where all the craziness comes from? Well, if you're seeking real\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eanswers to tough questions, then this is the book for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStirringly original, and supported by twelve pages of illustrations, this updated\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eedition of \"Psychology, Symbolism, and the Sacred\" is a dynamic and entertaining\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eread that offers some truly original insights on issues that concern us all. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased upon his own personal experiences in education, psychology, and religious\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eministry, Manning tackles the world¿s ongoing 'religious problem¿ (as he sees it)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ewith courage, tenacity, and forthrightness. Opening the book with an exposé of\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eclassic religious dysfunctions Manning argues that religion¿s position in an\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eincreasingly global society needs to be urgently re-evaluated. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCiting the dramatic evidence of archetypal themes and motifs in history, Manning\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eshows how today¿s authoritarian institutions are the disturbing remnants of a\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDark-Ages mentality that still pervade the world¿s most popular religions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTerrorism, so-called 'holy wars¿, and pernicious ecclesiastic abuses for example,\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eare each born of a general credulity; a sometimes-willing state of collective\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eignorance; and a disturbing tendency on the part of far too many religionists\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003etowards sectarian elitism. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuch attitudes have no place in an increasingly integrated and better-educated\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eworld. In discussions exploring the differences between education and\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eindoctrination, and between reality and superstition, Manning shows how no other\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003esocial institution presumes the right to indoctrinate the young and credulous in\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eideologies that not only fly in the face of scientific facts, but all too often\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003efuel the divisions and animosities that nurture some of society¿s most pernicious\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eevils. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelying on the evidence of history, Manning explains how inhumane beliefs\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003einevitably produce inhumane institutions. Promoting a theory of 'universal\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ehumanism¿ he explains that before we can address the religious problem we first\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ehave to understand it in more than abstract terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn uncomplicated language Manning shows that the fundamental principles that\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003egovern light and energy are, and always have been present in all of our social\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003einstitutions, both in actual and symbolic forms. If indeed true, then this is a\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ediscovery of monumental significance to philosophers, scientists, and\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ereligionists everywhere. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a captivating piece of research and courageous writing that will\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eundoubtedly challenge many, especially those who harbour any sense of pious\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eelitism or other forms of partisan exclusiveness. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book culminates with a challenge to each of us to honestly review our own\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ebelief systems in light of the evidence presented, and urges a genuine 'Golden\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRule¿ attitude of radical reform both within ourselves as individuals and\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eespecially within authoritarian religious institutions which, Manning argues,\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eonly continue to thrive at an immense cost to human society and to any True God.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CheckPoint Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50091578949872,"sku":"9780955150371","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780955150371","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}