Lonesome: The Spiritual Meanings of American Solitude

Albert Einstein once remarked that behind all observable things lay something quite unknowable. And the motivation for his own work in physics stemmed from something as apparently innocuous as his father first showing him a compass when he was a boy. Yet the wonder and inspiration of that moment, which he never forgot, led ultimately to his own stupendous scientific breakthroughs. This book explores that special territory perceived by Einstein: where the unknown takes over from everything that is understandable, familiar, explicable. And that interface between known and unknown is of the very greatest importance: it lies at the heart of the human quest to take knowledge beyond the boundaries of the known. It is what scientists do when they undertake their research, from the trajectories of comets to the replication of cells. But is is also what religious people do when they start to explore their spirituality, and their relationship with what they perceive to be the divine. This mutual effort to'know the unknowable'is a profoundly important way in which human beings explore the limits of themselves, as well as of the universe. It is best understood not as a roadblock, or a frustrating dead end, but rather as an invitation to fresh marvels and mystery. This groundbreaking book brings together both scientists and theologians (including Rowan Williams, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, and distinguished astrophysicist and astronomer Ramanath Cowsik) to explore the implications of what such an invitation means in practice. It explores important topics like cosmological absence, negativity in Christian mysticism, and the'hiddenness'of God in Buddhism. Despite the differences between the scientific and religious responses to the unknowable, what emerges is a common spirit of enquiry, which strives to make sense of concealment. "Albert Einstein once remarked that behind all observable things lay something quite unknowable. And the motivation for his own work in physics stemmed from something as apparently innocuous as his father first showing him a compass when he was a boy. Yet, the wonder and inspiration of that moment, which he never forgot, led ultimately to his own stupendous scientific breakthroughs.This book explores that special territory perceived by Einstein: where the unknown takes over from everything that is understandable, familiar, explicable. And, that interface between known and unknown is of the very greatest importance: it lies at the heart of the human quest to take knowledge beyond the boundaries of the known. It is what scientists do when they undertake their research, from the trajectories of comets to the replication of cells. But it is also what religious people do when they start to explore their relationship with what they perceive as the divine. Their mutual effort to 'know the unknowable' is a profoundly important way in which human beings explore the limits of themselves, as well as of the universe.Bringing together distinguished contributors, both scientists and theologians (including Rowan Williams the current Archbishop of Canterbury), to explore the implications of what such an invitation means in practice, this groundbreaking book explores important topics like cosmological absence, negativity in Christian mysticism, and the 'hiddenness' of God in Buddhism."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

albert Einstein Once Remarked That Behind All Observable Things Lay Something Quite Unknowable. And The Motivation For His Own Work In Physics Stemmed From Something As Apparently Innocuous As His Father First Showing Him A Compass When He Was A Boy. Yet The Wonder And Inspiration Of That Moment , Which He Never Forgot, Led Ultimately To His Own Stupendous Scientific Breakthroughs. This Book Explores That Special Territory Perceived By Einstein: Where The Unknown Takes Over From Everything That Is Understandable, Familiar, And Explicable. And That Interface Between Known And Unknown Is Of The Very Greatest Importance: It Lies At The Heart Of The Human Quest To Take Knowledge Beyond The Boundaries Of The Known. It Is What Scientists Do When They Undertake Their Research, From The Trajectories Of Comets To The Replication Of Cells. But Is Is Also What Religious People Do When They Start To Explore Their Relationship With What They Perceive As The Divine. Their Mutual Effort To Know The Unknowable Is A Profoundly Important Way In Which Human Beings Explore The Limits Of Themselves, As Well As Of The Universe. Bringing Together Distinguished Contributors, Both Scientists And Theologians (including Rowan Williams The Current Archbishop Of Canterbury), To Explore The Implications Of What Such An Invitation Means In Practice, This Groundbreaking Book Explores Important Topics Like Cosmological Absence, Negativity In Christian Mysticism, And The Hiddenness Of God In Buddhism.

How can one explain the resurgence of religion, even in a western context of rationality, postmodernity and scientific endeavor? The persistence of religious expression has compelled even diehard secularists, or proponents of the "secularization thesis," to rethink their positions. Jonathan Benthall explains precisely why societies are not bound to embrace western liberal rationality as an evolutionary inevitability. He shows that the opposite is true: that where a secular society represses the religious imagination, the human predisposition to religion will in the end break out in surprising, apparently secular, modes and outlets. Concentrating on what he calls "para-religion," a kind of secular spirituality that manifests itself within movements and organizations who consider themselves motivated by wholly rational considerations, Benthall uncovers a paradox: despite themselves, they are haunted by the shadow of irrationality. Arguing that humanitarianism, environmentalism, the animal rights movement, popular archaeology and anthropology all have "religiod" aspects, his startling conclusion is that religion, rather than coming "back," in fact never went away. A human universal, the "religious inclination" underlies the fabric of who we are, and is essential for the healthy functioning of any society. -- from publisher description

How can one explain the resurgence of religion, even in a western context of rationality, postmodernity and scientific endeavor? The persistence of religious expression has compelled even diehard secularists, or proponents of the "secularization thesis," to rethink their positions. Jonathan Benthall explains precisely why societies are not bound to embrace western liberal rationality as an evolutionary inevitability. He shows that the opposite is true: that where a secular society represses the religious imagination, the human predisposition to religion will in the end break out in surprising, apparently secular, modes and outlets. Concentrating on what he calls "para-religion," a kind of secular spirituality that manifests itself within movements and organizations who consider themselves motivated by wholly rational considerations, Benthall uncovers a paradox: despite themselves, they are haunted by the shadow of irrationality. Arguing that humanitarianism, environmentalism, the animal rights movement, popular archaeology and anthropology all have "religiod" aspects, his startling conclusion is that religion, rather than coming "back," in fact never went away. A human universal, the "religious inclination" underlies the fabric of who we are, and is essential for the healthy functioning of any society.

How can one explain the resurgence of religion, even in a western context of rationality, postmodernity and scientific endeavour? The persistence of religious expression has compelled even diehard secularists, or proponents of the'secularization thesis', to rethink their positions. Jonathan Benthall explains precisely why societies are not bound to embrace western liberal rationality as an evolutionary inevitability. He shows that the opposite is true: that where a secular society represses the religious imagination, the human predisposition to religion will in the end break out in surprising, apparently secular, modes and outlets.Concentrating on what he calls'para-religion', a kind of secular spirituality that manifests itself within movements and organisations who consider themselves motivated by wholly rational considerations, Benthall uncovers a paradox: despite themselves, they are haunted by the shadow of irrationality. Arguing that humanitarianism, environmentalism, the animal rights movement, popular archaeology and anthropology all have'religiod'aspects, his startling conclusion is that religion, rather than coming'back', in fact never went away.A human universal, the'religious inclination'underlies the fabric of who we are, and is essential for the healthy functioning of any society. How can one explain the resurgence of religion, even in a western context of rationality, postmodernity and scientific endeavour? The persistence of religious expression has compelled even diehard secularists, or proponents of the 'secularization thesis', to rethink their positions. Jonathan Benthall explains precisely why societies are not bound to embrace western liberal rationality as an evolutionary inevitability. He shows that the opposite is that where a secular society represses the religious imagination, the human predisposition to religion will in the end break out in surprising, apparently secular, modes and outlets.Concentrating on what he calls 'para-religion', a kind of secular spirituality that manifests itself within movements and organisations who consider themselves motivated by wholly rational considerations, Benthall uncovers a despite themselves, they are haunted by the shadow of irrationality. Arguing that humanitarianism, environmentalism, the animal rights movement, popular archaeology and anthropology all have 'religiod' aspects, his startling conclusion is that religion, rather than coming 'back', in fact never went away. A human universal, the 'religious inclination' underlies the fabric of who we are, and is essential for the healthy functioning of any society. "This book explores that special territory perceived by Albert Einstein: where the unknown takes over from everything that is understandable, familiar, explicable. And that interface between known and unknown is of the very greatest importance: it lies at the heart of the human quest to take knowledge beyond the boundaries of the known. It is what scientists do when they undertake their research, from the trajectories of comets to the replication of cells. But it is also what religious people do when they start to explore their spirituality, and their relationship with what they perceive to be the divine. This mutual effort to 'know the unknowable' is a profoundly important way in which human beings explore the limits of themselves, as well as of the universe. It is best understood not as a roadblock, or a frustrating dead end, but rather as an invitation to fresh marvels and mystery."--Jacket