Religion Without God

Ray Billington

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415217857 ISBN 13: 9780415217859

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

This criticism of theism, especially monotheism, questions the assumption that rejecting God means rejecting religion. Drawing on Western philosophical critiques of religion and non-theistic Eastern religions, Ray Billington shows how a religion without God could work.
The concept of religion without God has informed not only the theories of Nietzsche, Kant and Spinoza, but also expressions of belief in Indian and Chinese religions-Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism Zen and Taoism. Concluding with a look at the "the future of faith," this is a wide ranging and lucidly-written look at what it means to "have faith" and how this is distinct from religious belief.
Ray Billington is an experienced and respected author on Eastern religion and philosophy. His books include Understanding Eastern Philospophy, Living Philosophy and East of Existentialism, all published by Routledge. He also writes occasional journalism most notably as a contributor to The Guardian's 'Face to Faith' column. An ex-Methodist minister and onetime chaplain with the SAS, he has now retired from his post as Principal Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of the West of England.

Review:

"Billington's book, which is very easy to comprehend, will interest three types of readers--those who are in agreement with his atheism; those who are undecided as to whether or not they believe there is a God; and those who believe in the reality of God.."
-"CHOICE, M.C. Rose, Goucher College

Synopsis:

A criticism of theism, and in particular monotheism, Religion Without God questions the assumption that rejecting God means rejecting religion. Drawing on Western philosophical critiques of religion and non-theistic Eastern religions, Ray Billington shows how a religion without God could work. Beginning with an autobiographical introduction wherein Billington explains his own position and how he came to it, the book goes on to explore the nature and manifestations of religious belief. The concept of religion without God is informed not only by such cornerstones of Western philosophy as the theories of Nietzsche, Kant and Spinoza, but also expressions of belief in Indian and Chinese religions - Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, Zen and Taoism. Concluding with a look at 'the future of faith', this is wide-ranging and lucidly written look at what it means to 'have faith' and how this is distinct from religious belief. Ray Billington is an experienced and respected author on Eastern religion and philosophy. His books include Understanding Eastern Philospophy , Living Philosophy and East of Existentialism , all published by Routledge.

He also writes occaional journalism most notably as a contributor to The Guardian's 'Face to Faith' column. An ex-Methodist minister and onetime chaplain with the SAS, he has now retired from his post as Principal Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of the West of England.