Performing a critical analysis of new scientific research on religious and spiritual phenomena, Grassie takes a two-staged phenomenological approach working from the 'outside in' and the 'bottom up' without privileging at the outset any religious traditions or philosophical assumptions.

Autorentext

William Grassie is founder of the Metanexus Institute, which works to promote the constructive engagement of religion and science. He received his doctorate in religion from Temple University in 1994 and his B.A. from Middlebury College in 1979. Grassie has taught in a variety of positions at Temple University, Swarthmore College, the University of Pennsylvania, City College of New York, and Pendle Hill.

Inhalt
PART I: RELIGION FROM THE OUTSIDE IN * The Challenge of Comparative Religion * The Old Sciences of Religion * The Economics of Religion * The Evolution of Religion * The Neurosciences of Religion * The Medicine of Religion * PART II: RELIGION FROM THE BOTTOM UP * The Narratives of Religion * The New Religion of Science * God-by-Whatever-Name * Reiterations and Reflections