Sacred and Secular

Donald A. Crosby is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Colorado State University. He is the author of many books, including Partial Truths and Our Common Future: A Perspectival Theory of Truth and Value and More Than Discourse: Symbolic Expressions of Naturalistic Faith, both published by SUNY Press.

• Introduction1. Finite Earthly TimeUndesirability of Timeless LifeIllusion of Ultimate Timeless ExistenceHägglund's Contrast of Religious and Secular PerspectivesProblems with the Idea of an Everlasting AfterlifeConclusion2. Fallible Human KnowledgeFallibility of Human Claims to TruthUnknowability of Future BeliefsDangers of Claims to Infallible Religious BeliefsInevitable and Desirable Religious DiversityConclusion3. Science, Secularity, and ReligionReligion's Indebtedness to the SciencesLimitations of the SciencesTwo Conceptions of ScienceConclusion4. Ambiguities of NatureInanimate NatureNonhuman Animate NatureThe Human Side of NatureReligious Affirmation of NatureConclusion5. An Urgent Common CauseA Monotheistic ResponseA Buddhist ResponseScientific ResponsesPrudential ResponsesMoral ResponsesAesthetic ResponsesConclusion6. Characterizing ReligionTillich on the Narrower and Larger Concepts of ReligionSchilbrack's Analysis of Definitions of ReligionReligion and OntologyConclusion7. Reconciling the Sacred with the SecularReligious and Secular Views of RealityEarlier Meanings of the Term SecularConcept of the Secular StateNeed for Religious and Secular DialogueThe Virtue of HumilityConclusion8. Western Theism and Ontological SacrednessFrom Radical Transcendence to Radical Immanence: Diana Bass's Journey of FaithThe Sacredness of Nature Without God: Chet Raymo's Religious NaturalismTheism, Naturalism, and the SacredConclusionNotesWorks CitedIndex

"This book is invaluable for its clear and compelling discussions of religion and science, religion in a pluralistic politics, and the problem of natural evil. Crosby ably develops a religious naturalist perspective while showing that a variety of religious views have much to contribute to these demanding issues of our time. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone concerned about the religious dimensions of today's challenges, whether a first year college student or an advanced scholar." — Mary Doak, author of A Prophetic Public Church: Witness to Hope Amid the Global Challenges of the 21st Century