Evolutionary Religious Studies

Religious studies in the popular media

IFM — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:41:29 +0000

A recent article in the New York Times, “The Evolution of the God Gene” by Nicholas Wade, discusses the logic behind evolutionary approaches to religious phenomena. The title is misleading, but otherwise the piece is well written.

A look at some recent religious trends

IFM — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:21:08 +0000

Here’s a recent guest blog posting on “Thank God For Evolution” by Jon Cleland Host that examines a few recent trends in religious practice.

Of particular interest is the section where the idea of “evolutionary forms of venerable religions” is introduced – “the core religious concepts of each tradition, practiced in the light of the current discoveries of science and our evolutionary past and future in ways that inspire and empower.”

Check it out.

The Venice Summer School on Science and Religion

IFM — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:08:52 +0000

This is a reminder to all Science and Religious scholars that applications for the 2010 session of the Venice Summer School on Science and Religion are due 12 November, 2009.

The theme for the 2010 session is “Values & Science”. The school intends to be a key venue to expand and deepen the work of scholars interested in the interface of two of humanity’s most central approaches to the search for truth and meaning, and is open to all scholars seeking enhanced engagement with central topics in science and religion. VSSR is hosted by The Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti and supported by the John Templeton Foundation.

The school will meet 25 May through 28 May 2010. Lecturers include George Ellis, Keith Ward, and David Sloan Wilson. The school’s organizing committee includes Karl Giberson, Thomas Jay Oord, William Shea, and Donald Yerxa. For more information visit the VSSR website.

New Resource Section

ers — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:51:50 +0000

An ERS “Resources” page has been created. This section provides links to key articles, books and additional websites relating to the study of religion from an evolutionary perspective. Contact Ian MacDonald with suggestions for this ever-growing list.

Another book on evolutionary approches to religion

ers — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:31:35 +0000

“The Biology of Religious Behavior: The Evolutionary Origins of Faith and Religion”, Edited by Jay R. Feierman

This edited volume represents a multi-national and multi-disciplinary approach to the study of religious behaviour from an evolutionary perspective, written by internationally recognized experts. View content and reviews here.

New book on the evolution of religious behavior

ers — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:58:10 +0000

“The Biological Evolution of Religious Mind and Behavior”, edited by Eckart Voland and Wulf Schiefenhövel.

This volume contains important contributions from a number of
disciplines to understanding the evolutionary status of religious
behavior. View table of contents.