The Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion in Amherst, New York has published the first issue of its Review, devoted to the criticla examination of religious ideas and truth claims.
October 7, 2006 (Press Release) --
CENTER FOR INQUIRY RELEASES NEW RELIGION REVIEW
The Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER) based at the Center for Inquiry in Amherst, New York, has announced the publication of a new Quaterly Review. According to Dr R. Joseph Hoffmann, chair of the Committee, the magazine comes at a critical time in the public discussion and understanding of religion in America. "Recent polls suggest an increase in the American appetite for religious fiction and inspirational works but a lack of awareness of critical perspectives about religion in general and the historical development of religious ideas and texts in particular. The latest Baylor Study (September 2006) revealed that 90% of Americans believe in God; and that nearly 50% of the population describe themselves as 'Bible-believing' or evangelical Christians with the fastest growth sector in the penetcostal traditions. With no theological axe to grind, this publication is designed to raise the critical awareness of this population as well as the between 11% and 15% of those who claim to have no nreligious affiliation."
In the wake of the popularity of The Da Vinci Code, The Purpose Driven Life and the Tim LeHaye Left Behind Series, as well as consistently high sales for inspirational books, the first issue of the series is dedicated to a critical examination of the life of Jesus by biblical scholars Hoffmann, John Dominic Crossan and Gerd Luedemann. The Review also features reviews of movies and books on religious subjects, a print forum of CSER's scholars, and op-ed pices on topics of urgent concern, ranging from religious hate speech to the wearing of hijab in public schools. "There has never been a point in American public life where the need for a publication such as this has been more clear," said Hoffmann. "When it comes to the public understanding of religion--measured by every objective means, we are trailing the rest of the developed world. This magazine wants to raisze critical questions about why this is true. It also wants to respond to what we see as the growth of religious illiteracy in the world." The next issue of the Review will feature articles on biotechnology and religion, and the deepening rift in the secular and religious cultures of North America.
Subscription information is available from the Administrator:
CSER
Gwyn MacRae
Center for Inquiry International P.O. Box 741
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 636-4869 ext. 240 or by emailing
CFIINTERN@centerforinquiry.net
The Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER) based at the Center for Inquiry in Amherst, New York, has announced the publication of a new Quaterly Review. According to Dr R. Joseph Hoffmann, chair of the Committee, the magazine comes at a critical time in the public discussion and understanding of religion in America. "Recent polls suggest an increase in the American appetite for religious fiction and inspirational works but a lack of awareness of critical perspectives about religion in general and the historical development of religious ideas and texts in particular. The latest Baylor Study (September 2006) revealed that 90% of Americans believe in God; and that nearly 50% of the population describe themselves as 'Bible-believing' or evangelical Christians with the fastest growth sector in the penetcostal traditions. With no theological axe to grind, this publication is designed to raise the critical awareness of this population as well as the between 11% and 15% of those who claim to have no nreligious affiliation."
In the wake of the popularity of The Da Vinci Code, The Purpose Driven Life and the Tim LeHaye Left Behind Series, as well as consistently high sales for inspirational books, the first issue of the series is dedicated to a critical examination of the life of Jesus by biblical scholars Hoffmann, John Dominic Crossan and Gerd Luedemann. The Review also features reviews of movies and books on religious subjects, a print forum of CSER's scholars, and op-ed pices on topics of urgent concern, ranging from religious hate speech to the wearing of hijab in public schools. "There has never been a point in American public life where the need for a publication such as this has been more clear," said Hoffmann. "When it comes to the public understanding of religion--measured by every objective means, we are trailing the rest of the developed world. This magazine wants to raisze critical questions about why this is true. It also wants to respond to what we see as the growth of religious illiteracy in the world." The next issue of the Review will feature articles on biotechnology and religion, and the deepening rift in the secular and religious cultures of North America.
Subscription information is available from the Administrator:
CSER
Gwyn MacRae
Center for Inquiry International P.O. Box 741
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 636-4869 ext. 240 or by emailing
CFIINTERN@centerforinquiry.net
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