Brains, Religions, and Reality Book

DESCRIPTION: Brains, Religions, and Reality synthesizes a Worldview and a Godview that incorporate 21st-century knowledge. It is designed to help people find their own unique purpose in life, in the context of their own life-long journeys, thus yielding a basis for finding peace of mind. On a societal level, these same ways lead to peace between countries and cultures. Seventeen basic cognitive conflicts are identified and discussed, especially in the context of how they impede human progress. Part Two, titled Lamentations, discusses four syndromic sicknesses: Egocentrism, Fundamentalism, Despair, and Hyper-Immanence. Then explorations (in Part Three) are possible of what makes humans unique from our nearest primate ancestors. What does Being Human mean in the context of modern knowledge, especially recent findings on human development and genetics and cell biology, and how the brain is organized and functions? The role of religions is probed in Part Four, both from the viewpoints of what is currently being featured in Christendom and what shortcomings are found when modern knowledge is not incorporated. A theological construct, Integrative Theology, is developed with three parts: Immanence Theology, Transcendence Theology, and Inherence Theology and are visualized in a symbolic-logic Venn diagram. This construct is explored in contrast to others and the positions of several theologians and philosophers. This foundation leads three ways in Part Five. First, commonalities between science and religion are found, and the critical need for mutual respect can be identified, particularly in the context of Transcendence Theology and discussions of molecular biology and human carnage. Second, a postmodern explanation for the origin of evil is proposed. Third, everyday decision making and interrelationships in marriage are examined. In Part Six, the future is discussed in relation to energy needs of the world and to developments in human genetics. Furthermore, the need is indicated for maturation in religion America and in American geopolitics. In Part Seven, the ways to find personal purpose and world peace are discussed at conceptual levels. Many stories are woven into the narrative discussions, and fourteen Venn diagrams are used to visualize the balances needed between concepts that otherwise appear to be opposites. For example, the comfort, control, and certainty of Immanence Theology need to be balanced with the discomfort, lack of divine control, and uncertainty of Transcendence Theology. Only then can the realities of life be understood. The Epilogue calls, first, for intellectual maturation based on departing from our natural and historically deadly penchant for exclusivity to a more mature orientation to inclusivity and compassion and, second, the need to depart from premodern living and to integrate modern knowledge into a postmodern synthesis. In summary, the book presents a way to move in seamless discussions from religion to science to geopolitics.Read More