MICHAEL HORACE BARNES
In the Presence of Mystery:
An Introduction to
the Nature and Evolution of Religion
An introductory textbook for undergraduate courses in religion.
Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2003 [3rd edition]
For information about courses based on this book
http://www.michaelhoracebarnes.com or http://homepages.udayton.edu/~barnes/
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Facing Mystery
A Basic Human Faith
The Development of ReligionPART I THE NUMINOUS
Chapter One: AN ENCHANTED WORLD:
The Numinous in Primitive and Archaic Religion
Primitive Religion: Animism
Archaic Religion: Polytheism
Chapter Two. THE HUMAN QUEST:
The Origin and Function of Belief in the Numinous
The Fact of Belief
The Search for Intelligibility: folktales and myths
Psychological Comfort
The Sociological Value and Function of Religion:
Experience of the Sacred vs Reductionism
Chapter Three. A SUPREME AND AWESOME UNITY:
God and Other Ultimates in Historic Religions
Historic Religion: Belief in an Absolute Ultimate
Historic Religion in the West: A Personal Ultimate
Historic Religion in the East: Some Impersonal Ultimates
Talking about the Incomprehensible
Chapter Four. THE ENDLESS QUEST:
The Human Basis of Belief in an Ultimate
A Merely Perfect Person: Is God Enough?
The Ultimate Questions: Origin, Order, and Purpose of All
The Capacity for the Infinite: Consciousness and EstrangementPART II SALVATIONS
Chaper Five. PEACE, PARADISE, AND PERFECTION:
Reality as It Should Be
Primitive Salvation . An Unbothered Life
Archaic People . An Idealized Life
Historic Religion . Totally Perfect Life
Chapter Six. NEITHER LOST NOR ALONE:
Belonging as a Form of Salvation
Individual Devotion to a Numinous Reality
Belonging to a Sacred Community
Separation of Society and Religion
Chapter Seven. A TRUE AND WORTHY SELFHOOD:
Identity as Salvation
The Problem of Identity . Born without Identity
Religion as a Support for Identity
Identity in the Stages of Religiousness
The Long Process of Transformation: Yogas and MysticismPART III GUIDES TO LIFE
Chapter Eight. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND WHY:
The Problem of Morality . Different Types of Morality
Taboo Morality: Pleasure vs. Pain
Acceptance Morality: The Need to Belong
The Morality of Universal Laws: Objective Standards
Basic Value Morality and Human Well-Being
Chapter Nine. THE PROCESS OF TRADITION:
Leaders, Texts, and Interpretations
The Guides in Context . The Nature of Tradition
The Leaders: From Wise Ones to Divinity Incarnate
Sacred Writings: Scriptures
Interpreting the Texts: Literal or Loose
Chapter Ten. LIVING IMAGES OF THE TRADITION:
Ritual and Symbol
Ritual: Making Reality Real to Peole
Symbols
Religious Ritual, Symbol, and Idolatry
Chapter Eleven. BELIEVING AND KNOWING:
The Interrelations of Faith and Reason
Theology: Historic Reflection on Beliefs
Systematic Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding
Natural Theology: By Reason Alone
Faith and Reason End of Part IIIPART IV MODERN RELIGIOUSNESS
Chapter Twelve. SCIENCE AND SECULARITY:
The Modern Era Begins
Early Modern Science: From Galileo to Deism
Evolution and Agnosticism
Secular Evolutionary Humanisms
Chapter Thirteen. LIFE WITHOUT RELIGION:
20th Century Skeptical Humanisms
Early Attacks on Traditional Religion
A New Way of Understanding Reality
A New Way of Understanding the Self
Two Skeptical Philosophies
Chapter Fourteen. IN THE PRESENCE OF MYSTERY:
The Modern Challenges to Religion
Religious Beliefs Today: Non-modern forms
Modern Religion: Four Characteristics
Chapter Fifteen
THE FUTURE OF RELIGION
The Secularization Thesis v. the Continuing Vitality of Religion
Privatization, Spirituality, and NRMs
Current Religion and Science Dialogues
Layers of Culture and Cognition in Current Religions.
Postmodernism and Religion
Epilogue
EVALUATING RELIGION
To Evaluate or Not
Academic Evaluations: various methods
Fowler's Stages of Faith and Postmodernism
Current Options, for religious and unreligious people]