Includes bibliographical references (pages 233-259) and index.
Contents:
Buddhism is in, communism is out: defining religion -- Without data it may as well be theology: why data matter -- All babies are atheists: why belief in a specific god is not innate -- The religious clone wars: how most people become religious -- Why you don't know why you're (non)religious: -- Why social networks matter -- Sunday school: why religion and education don't go together -- I'll be a monkey's cousin: religion and science -- All demons are from Hollywood: how media created the possession fad -- God owns your uterus: religion and the right to choose -- Marry now, stay forever: why religions are "pro-family" -- Multiply and replenish the pews: why religions encourage procreation -- Spare the rod? Not with god!: parenting and religion -- There are no atheists in -- prison cells?!?: religion and crime -- Moral development: win for atheists; moral behavior: draw -- If you're humble and you know it -- you're probably religious: -- Religion and arrogance -- "Cause Jesus has a penis: religion and gender -- Love your neighbor, except when he's -- : religion and prejudice -- The sign of the oppressed creature: religion and money -- We're not here to serve the earth -- well, some of us aren't: -- Religion and environmentalism -- I'd like to buy the world a joint: religion and politics -- Where would Jesus volunteer?: religion and charitable acts -- I kill. You kill. We all kill -- for our ideologies: religion and violence -- The happiness delusion -- Sleep in on sunday... for better health? -- Who's better at dying?: religion and coping -- The end is near-ish: declining religiosity -- Taking off the training wheels: alternatives to religion -- The final judgment.
Summary:
Studying religion as a social phenomenon, Cragun follows the scientific data to answers questions about the nature and state of religion (and nonreligion) across populations. If you've ever wondered whether religion helps or hurts society, Cragun argues, our world needs a new way of thinking about religion.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.