Religious Belief, Secular Values

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Related Books:


How to Be Secular
(Jacques Berlinerblau)

We Sinners
(Hanna Pylväinen)

Religion in Human Evolution
(Robert N. Bellah)

Life of Pi
(Yann Martel)

William James
(Robert D. Richardson)

The Heart of William James
(William James)

Incidental Music:

The Sermon
(Sermon, Jimmy Smith)
Ogunde
That Lucky Old Sun
Brown Girl
Dear Lord
(John Coltrane)
Interviewer(s): 
Jim Fleming
Steve Paulson
Anne Strainchamps
Guest(s): 
Hannah Pylväinen
Jacques Berlinerblau
Robert Bellah
Yann Martel
Robert Richardson
Producer(s): 
Steve Paulson
12.23.2012

What would a secular society really look like?  We take an unconventional look at religion, the fiction it inspires, and reflect on why William James' classic book on mysticism, "The Varieties of Religious Experience," still matters.

Related Link(s): 
Jacques Berlinerblau's website
Hanna Pylvainen's website
Robert Bellah's website

  1. Jacques Berlinerblau on "How To Be Secular"

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    Jacques Berlinerblau says we still don't know how to talk intelligently about religion in public life.  That's why he wrote "How To Be Secular."  He tells us why "secular" doesn't mean "atheist."

    4.81818
    Average: 4.8 (11 votes)

  2. Hanna Pylvainen on "We Sinners"

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    Extended InterviewExtended Interview

    Hanna Pylvainen's debut novel "We Sinners" is loosely based on her own history in a fundamentalist Lutheran community.

    4.666665
    Average: 4.7 (6 votes)

  3. Robert Bellah on "Religion in Human Evolution"

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    How did religion ever get started in the first place?  Renowned sociologist Robert Bellah says religion isn't about belief in God.  Its origins go back to the rituals of our ancient ancestors, and ultimately to play.

    4.444445
    Average: 4.4 (9 votes)

  4. Yann Martel on "Life of Pi"

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    Yann Martel's novel "Life of Pi" is an adventure story and also a meditation on religious faith.  He says a good religion is like a good story.

    3.2
    Average: 3.2 (5 votes)

  5. Robert Richardson on William James

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    Extended InterviewExtended Interview

    Where does the idea of "being spiritual, not religious" come from?  It might be William James and his classic book "The Varieties of Religious Experience." 

    4.666665
    Average: 4.7 (9 votes)