Natural Religion and the Nature of Religion : The Legacy of Deism

This study offers students of religion and philosophy introductory chapters concerning the concept of natural religion. It holds that we can't engage in useful discussion about the present concept of religion without a knowledge of the philosophical history that has shaped that concept. This is discussed with reference to the notion of natural religion to illustrate certain aspects of deism and its legacy. Originally published in 1989. Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 2 Title Page ......Page 4 Copyright Page ......Page 5 Original Title Page ......Page 6 Original Copyright Page......Page 7 Table of Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Natural and revealed religion......Page 20 Natural theology, civil theology, and mythic theology......Page 24 Natural and supernatural religion......Page 26 Natural religion and natural religiousness......Page 27 Religion and Christianiry......Page 30 Lord herbert of Cherbury and religious humanism......Page 41 John Locke on the nature and necessity of revelation......Page 56 Introduction......Page 71 The doctrine of God......Page 72 The doctrine of man......Page 80 Religious certainty......Page 89 Introduction......Page 98 A general picture of the history of religions......Page 101 The church......Page 107 The bible......Page 112 Introduction......Page 130 Hume on the natural religion of mankind......Page 132 Kant on the place of religion in history......Page 147 Introduction......Page 160 J.G. Herder on human nature and history......Page 162 The case against natural religion in Schleiermacher's Speeches......Page 175 Hegel on religion in history......Page 185 Conclusion......Page 197 Introduction......Page 200 F. Max Mueller......Page 202 Natural religion in Tylor's Primitive Culture......Page 215 Conclusion......Page 222 Introduction: the legacy of deism......Page 226 The concept of religion and the universality of religion......Page 228 Religion and human nature......Page 245 Naturalism and the history of religions......Page 260 Notes......Page 275 Works cited......Page 279 Index......Page 285 This book provides a reasoned, comprehensive understanding of what religion is as well as a clear and critical assessment of whether, in the light of modern developments in philosophy, contemporary thinking people can responsibly maintain religious belief in God. The book is divided into three major sections: the first deals with what all religions may be said to have in common; the second discusses theistic religion and the issue of intellectually responsible belief in God; the third examines current developments within a particular .. This original study, published initially in 1959, introduces students of philosophy and of theology to a treatment of religion based upon the methods of modern philosophy ' particularly logical empiricism and existentialism. Above and beyond the importance of its point of view, this book is distinguished by its clarity and by its objective and understanding presentation of diverse points of view By Peter Byrne. Originally Published In 1989. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 260-265) And Index.