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What Can You Believe If You Don't Believe in God?
Many people criticize the "rise of the Nones" for its nihilism. "There's no God," full stop, is not a useful replacement for the comfort and guidance traditional religion seeks to provide.
Michael Werner's thoughtful new book, "What Can You Believe When You Don't Believe in God?" confronts this criticism head-on.
Werner believes in plenty. He believes in the lifestance many call "humanism," which he puts in compelling historical perspective. He believes in knowledge, and how humankind can attain it, without the benefit of supernatural revelation. He believes in shared human values, and in a thoughtful process for developing them. He believes in "meaning." Not, as some traditional religionists would have it, meaning found in a happy or tortured afterlife, but meaning in the here and making a difference because you have lived, and lived well.
Humanists who decline to be guided by invisible spirits must decide for themselves how to distinguish right from wrong - not always an easy task, as Werner points out. One of the most valuable facets of his approach is his guided tour through the minefield of ethical systems, and his ultimate settling on an ethical pluralism - "do what works."
The pinnacle of Werner's humanist belief system is civilization itself. Not just dry science - though all must start with that - but the full flowering of human emotion as expressed in art in all its exuberance.
Michael Werner's thoughtful new book, "What Can You Believe When You Don't Believe in God?" confronts this criticism head-on.
Werner believes in plenty. He believes in the lifestance many call "humanism," which he puts in compelling historical perspective. He believes in knowledge, and how humankind can attain it, without the benefit of supernatural revelation. He believes in shared human values, and in a thoughtful process for developing them. He believes in "meaning." Not, as some traditional religionists would have it, meaning found in a happy or tortured afterlife, but meaning in the here and making a difference because you have lived, and lived well.
Humanists who decline to be guided by invisible spirits must decide for themselves how to distinguish right from wrong - not always an easy task, as Werner points out. One of the most valuable facets of his approach is his guided tour through the minefield of ethical systems, and his ultimate settling on an ethical pluralism - "do what works."
The pinnacle of Werner's humanist belief system is civilization itself. Not just dry science - though all must start with that - but the full flowering of human emotion as expressed in art in all its exuberance.
232 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 5, 2018
Comprehensive, cogent, and insightful
The first few chapters were a bit too basic for me, but that changed rapidly. Werner covers a wide expanse of
The first few chapters were a bit too basic for me, but that changed rapidly. Werner covers a wide expanse of
September 5, 2018
Definitely interesting. I am at a point where I want to continue believing in God, but find too many reasons not to. This book made me realize that I can still be a spiritual person without a supreme being in my mind.
June 12, 2019
Enlightening book, some parts a deep dive to wander through. Kurt Vonnegut said, “being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectations of rewards or punishment after you are dead.” (On front cover). Well said.
November 17, 2020
A very enlightening book for those who are searching for something other than/better than traditional Christian organizations.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews