- ISBN13: 9780061571275
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Product Description
At the dawn of the twenty-first century, dizzying scientific and technological advancements, interconnected globalized economies, and even the so-called New Atheists have done nothing to change one thing: our world remains furiously religious. For good and for evil, religion is the single greatest influence in the world. We accept as self-evident that competing economic systems (capitalist or communist) or clashing political parties (Republican or Democratic) propo… More >>
God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World–and Why Their Differences Matter
#1 by Ravi on May 26th, 2010
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I’m feeling a little bit conflicted on this. On one hand, I’ve had Steve Prothero as a professor. He’s extremely intelligent and completely engaging – more so than any other college professor I’ve come across. Great human being in person too. I found the book to be fair and well-researched, definitely a clear and worthy introduction to many major world religions. His unique method of introducing the problem/ solution that each religion offers is fantastic. Christianity addresses sin through salvation, Islam addresses pride through submission, etc. For its content, I think this should be the standard introduction to world religions for any high school or undergraduate course. There is never a dull moment and he draws fascinating parallels and brings in interesting anecdotes. Further, the Professor makes a very valid point. In our politically correct world, people try to underplay important differences in doctrine, ritual, and worldview and paint all religions as one. Forget about disparity between religions, huge differences exist within religions: the God of Abraham is very unlike the God of Moses or the God of Second Isaiah. This is where the Professor makes a valid and important point – these religions are not the same, so we need to stop pretending they are! Not only is it false, but it’s intellectually demeaning.
Now, here’s where the conflict comes in. I completely disagree with the entire premise of the book, that “God is not one.” In fact, the unity of Godhead is the one thing that all religions seem to share. The very definition of God itself presupposes an all-inclusiveness; if there is a God, God MUST be one. In the same way that Christopher Hitchens took on Islam’s phrase “Allahu Akbar” with his book “God is not great” – Professor Prothero here seems to take on the Jewish phrase “Jehovah Echad” with this book: “God is not one.” I noticed Huston Smith’s biographer posted a defense of the perennial philosophy on here, which is a philosophy I find myself subscribing to on a very deep level. I think the issue behind the conflict is that people often confuse religion and God. God exists independent of religion. God may be one, but there is no doubt that the religions that attempt to reach God are very very different. However, just because particular religions have different opinions about God, does not mean that they are speaking about separate gods. Each person I meet has different opinions and conclusions about me, but that does not mean that there are multiple versions of me. I am one person. We cannot dismiss God’s unity simply because various folks approach deity in unique ways.
All religions talk about two realms, the heavens and earth, matter and spirit, prakriti and purusha, etc. To truly understand God as he/she is we need to approach it on the spiritual realm, not the material realm. All that religions and rituals and even words can possibly discuss are in the material world. They are just the finger pointing at the moon, not the moon itself. As the Tao Te Ching says “The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way; the name that can be named is not the constant name.” To the mystics, which were not deeply addressed in the book, there is a shared experience of a common underlying Reality because they reach God through the spiritual realms, not through material dogma, ritual, and myth. Jehovah and Vishnu are worlds apart, but the Kabbalistic Ain Soph and Vedantic Brahman are one in the same. So here, perhaps the better book title would have been “Religion is not One.” Not as catchy, but perhaps more accurate.
Plus sides:
- Informative about major world religions
- Unbiased in portraying the good, bad, and ugly of various traditions
- Fun to read and not a dull moment, very engaging
- Great problem/ solution method – simple but not simplistic
Down sides:
- Focuses on mainstream religion, ignores the esoteric/ mystical paths
- Assumes religious differences mean God is not one
Recommendation:
Buy it. Even if you don’t subscribe to the idea of “God is not one” – it will be a great and informative read, especially on lesser-known religions such as the Yoruba, Taoism, and Confucianism.
Rating: 4 / 5
#2 by CityScribe on May 26th, 2010
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I loved Prothero’s last book, “Religious Literacy,” and found his argument spot on — that while the U.S. is one of the most religious countries on earth, Americans know next to nothing about their own religions and even less about the religions of others. In his new book, Prothero takes the natural next step and offers approachable chapters on each of the eight “great religions”(plus a coda on atheism), giving readers a clear and interesting way in to traditions beyond their own (and maybe even offering an opportunity to learn something about their own religion along the way!).
Prothero’s main premise in “God is Not One” is to go up against what he calls “Godthink” — the popular view that all religions are one. This view is visible not only among multiculturalists who say all religions are equally beautiful and true but also among new atheists who say that all religions are equally dangerous and false. Neither of these dichotomies work in today’s world, in which religion plays such a huge role. Knowledge is power, and this book informs us so that we can see the great religions as they really are, not just as we desire them to be. There can be a beauty in recognizing the differences even more than just the similarities.
No doubt this approach is controversial among partisans of Huston Smith and Christopher Hitchens alike, but for the rest of us, this book probably offers the best discussion of the world’s religions available. Though an academic, Prothero writes for the general readership, gives us stories that make up the rich stuff within religions, and helps us make the connections between these ancient traditions and contemporary politics, economics, and culture. Who knew that the Chinese government is rapidly turning to Confucianism (as opposed to Marxism/Leninism) as its official state ideology?
Highly recommended for religious and irreligious people alike.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by L. Sperry on May 26th, 2010
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This is a thoughtful, thought provoking, and yes – even fun – follow up to Religious Literacy. Religious Literacy convinced me of the importance of understanding our world religions, and now this book has allowed me to do just that. I think this will be a useful, enjoyable read for just about anyone – students, academics, and people who just want to understand our complicated world better.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Jerry J. Wall on May 26th, 2010
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As Professor Prothero says, the book contains a summary of the eight religions that run the world. Very well done and well written. In telling us about the religions in descending order of
membership, we learn about the founding of each group and the views of the founders and the followers. Though Professor Prothero does not do it, the groups he discusses can be divided into
two groups. First we have those who believe in a God, a supernatural entity, creator, rule maker and enforcer. Second we have the groups based on a great teacher, leader, or thinker who had
and taught ideas that helped people deal with the mysteries and problems of life and death.
For those of us who have never been persuaded of what a supernatural rule maker might be, the second group offers more substance in dealing with the problems religion is supposed to help us with.
For anyone who wishes a learned discussion of these religions, Professor Prothero has given a well written and well thought out and well organized book.
Rating: 3 / 5
#5 by L. Blanchard on May 27th, 2010
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Professor Prothero pointed out very clearly in his previous book, “Religious Literacy”, how lacking most of us are in our real understanding of religions, both our own and others. Happily, this book takes us on a wonderful journey through the “great religions” of the world in an interesting,knowledgeable and often fun manner. He is articulate and thought provoking without making one feel they are being lectured at or uninformed. Prothero speaks both of the similarities and the differences between all of these religions and makes us pause to consider all the possibilities they present us toward living and working in this multi-religious world.
We will each be ready and able to help find peaceful solutions to a great many of our world problems after first understanding what others believe and why.
This book is written for “everyone”. I recommend “Read It”.
LWBlanchard
Rating: 5 / 5