Buch, Englisch, 256 Seiten, Format (B × H): 164 mm x 242 mm, Gewicht: 508 g
The Untold Story of Misotheism
Buch, Englisch, 256 Seiten, Format (B × H): 164 mm x 242 mm, Gewicht: 508 g
ISBN: 978-0-19-975138-9
Verlag: Oxford University Press
This book shows that misotheism is a relevant form of religious dissent, albeit a neglected or suppressed one
Adds to the production of knowledge by defining the various forms of God-hatred (political, agonistic, and absolute) and by giving a genealogy of this attitude
Demonstrates how to find evidence of misotheism in texts, even when the signs are hidden
While atheists have now become public figures, there is another and perhaps darker strain of religious rebellion that has remained out of sight--people who hate God. In this revealing book, Bernard Schweizer looks at men and women who do not question God's existence, but deny that He is merciful, competent, or good. Sifting through a wide range of literary and historical works, Schweizer finds that people hate God for a variety of reasons. Some are motivated by social injustice, human suffering, or natural catastrophes that God does not prevent. Some blame God for their personal tragedies. Schweizer concludes that, despite their blasphemous thoughts, these people tend to be creative and moral individuals, and include such literary lights as Friedrich Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Zora Neale Hurston, and Philip Pullman. Schweizer shows that literature is a fertile ground for God haters. Many authors, who dare not voice their negative attitude to God openly, turn to fiction to give vent to it. Indeed, Schweizer provides many new and startling readings of literary masterpieces, highlighting the undercurrent of hatred for God.
Zielgruppe
Readers interested in critical approaches to religion and to God, or in the history of religious ideas, or in challenges to religious orthodoxy; scholars working on any of the six authors treated in the case studies; theological scholars interested in Protest Theology; members of secular humanist societies worldwide such as the American "Council for Secular Humanism" or the Council of Australian Humanist Societies, as well as the subscribers of magazines like Free Inquiry
