What is religion? What is science? How do they interact with each other? Science and Religions in America: A New Look offers a cutting-edge overview of the diverse range of religious traditions and their complex and fascinating interaction with science. Pluralistic in scope, the book is different from traditional Christian and/or monotheistic approaches to studying the rich interplay of religion and science in multi-religious American culture.
Featuring interviews with specialists in the field, Greg Cootsona draws on their insights to provide a comprehensive, accessible, and engaging introduction to the challenging interrelationship of religion and science. Each chapter focuses on a different religion within the United States, covering Buddhism, Christianity, Nature Religions, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and the Spiritual but Not Religious (SBNR).
Global religious traditions and their inextricable relationship with science and technology are examined in an accessible and interactive format. With "lightning round Q&As," contributions from leading thinkers, and suggestions for further reading, this book primes undergraduate students for studying the interchange of science and religions (in the plural) and is an exciting new resource for those interested in these topics in contemporary America.
1. Why and how I think you should read this book—a bit of a roadmap
2. Complex and frequently misunderstood: Christianity and science
3. Streaming science and spirituality: The Spiritual but Not Religious
4. More than mindfulness: Buddhism and science
5. The way of interconnection: Science and nature religions
6. Extraordinary influence: Judaism and science
7. Creation and the oneness of God: Islam and science
8. Connections both old and new: Hinduism and science
9. Conclusion: Reflections on method and more
10. Glossary of terms
Index
Biography
Greg Cootsona is Lecturer in Comparative Religion and Humanities at California State University, Chico, USA. His most recent book is Negotiating Science and Religion in America: Past, Present, and Future (2019).
"In this expert, eminently readable, and desperately needed volume, Cootsona moves us beyond a Christian-centric view of the religion and science discussion."
Elaine Howard Ecklund, Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, Rice University, USA.
