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Mormons and Evangelicals

Reasons for Faith


Why do religious people believe? In this work, Smith describes and interprets the results of interviews conducted with Mormons and Evangelicals about their reasons for faith. In the end, he recommends a particular approach to faith that integrates the sociological, spiritual, and rational elements of religion.
Publisher: Gorgias Press LLC
Availability: In stock
SKU (ISBN): 978-1-60724-027-3
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Publication Status: In Print
Publication Date: Apr 20,2009
Interior Color: Black
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Page Count: 149
Languages: English
ISBN: 978-1-60724-027-3
$65.00
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Why do religious people believe? In this work, Smith describes and interprets the results of interviews conducted with Mormons and Evangelicals about their reasons for faith. Social, spiritual, and rational contributions to faith all receive careful analysis.

Adults in a free society believe--or do not believe--for many reasons. The people around us influence our religious beliefs. The pressure to believe can be helpful or hurtful--or both. Religious experience is often central. People believe that they have encountered God in ways that are faith-affirming. But how can we know whether these experiences are authentically spiritual and not just psychological? And which beliefs are actually being confirmed by such experiences? Finally, reason sometimes confirms and sometimes undermines faith. To what extent should religious beliefs be based on evidence? Should we allow reason to override religious experience? Smith addresses all these issues--and more--and in the end recommends a particular approach to faith that integrates the sociological, spiritual, and rational elements of religion.

Why do religious people believe? In this work, Smith describes and interprets the results of interviews conducted with Mormons and Evangelicals about their reasons for faith. Social, spiritual, and rational contributions to faith all receive careful analysis.

Adults in a free society believe--or do not believe--for many reasons. The people around us influence our religious beliefs. The pressure to believe can be helpful or hurtful--or both. Religious experience is often central. People believe that they have encountered God in ways that are faith-affirming. But how can we know whether these experiences are authentically spiritual and not just psychological? And which beliefs are actually being confirmed by such experiences? Finally, reason sometimes confirms and sometimes undermines faith. To what extent should religious beliefs be based on evidence? Should we allow reason to override religious experience? Smith addresses all these issues--and more--and in the end recommends a particular approach to faith that integrates the sociological, spiritual, and rational elements of religion.

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ContributorBiography

David Smith

David E. Smith is an Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Taylor University. He holds a Ph.D. in Religion from Temple University and has published numerous things on the Western Religions.