Why Religion Matters

Starred review from January 1, 2001
In this challenging but accessible book, Smith ardently declaims religion's relevance, taking on luminaries, such as Carl Sagan and Stephen Jay Gould, who hold that "only matter exists" and suggest that religion relates only to "subjective experiences." Smith defines such thinking as scientism, an unfortunate worldview distinct from science, which, in and of itself, he celebrates. But scientism, Smith says, contributes to "modernity's tunnel," a metaphorical structure that hides the metaphysical from view. He argues that "scientists who are convinced materialists deny the existence of things other than those they can train their instruments on," but in reality have "discovered nothing in the way of objective facts that counts against traditional metaphysics." Smith's arguments are reminiscent of Philip Johnson's Darwin on Trial; in fact, he nods appreciatively to Johnson's work. However, Smith's stature as a scholar probably affords him more credibility among scientists than evangelicals such as Johnson enjoy. Moreover, Smith's disarming toneDreplete with perfectly placed anecdotes and quipsDtempers the audacity of his theses and the difficulty of his subject matter. While he may be vulnerable to critiques that inevitably arise when non-scientists engage and challenge scientific claims, Smith demonstrates an impressive grasp of physics and biology, and defers to scientists who share his concerns. Most gratifyingly, after spending the book's first half implicating science, philosophy and the media in the marginalization of religion, Smith spends the second half elucidating and affirming metaphysical worldviews and imagining ways for science and religion to partner more equitably in the future. (Jan.) Forecast: Science and religion books are certainly hot right now (see PW's Religion Update, Nov. 20). That popularity, coupled with Smith's sterling reputation (buoyed by his recent five-part PBS series on religion with Bill Moyers) will propel sales. Harper San Francisco plans a 50,000-copy first print run and a $35,000 promotional budget.

January 1, 2001
Smith, the dean of comparative religion studies in America, divides history into three periods, each dominated by its distinctive worldview--traditional, modern, and postmodern. Now is the postmodern period, but Smith believes the future should belong to tradition. Modernity has put the soul in a dark tunnel, from which postmodernity doesn't want to extract it, by insisting that reality is single and material and that the transcendent realities of spirit, creation, and meaning are illusory. Science, the instrumentality of modernity, can't answer or extinguish humanity's burning existential questions, exemplified by the title of Gauguin's painting " Who Are We? "Where Did We Come From? Where Are We Going? The traditional worldview, which is religious, can and does answer them. Smith's exposition of this argument, which first describes "Modernity's Tunnel" and then the light at its end, is as enlightening as Wendell Berry's similar " Life Is a Miracle" [BKL My 15 00], whose bete noire, E. O. Wilson's " Consilience" (1998), also irks Smith. As welcome as enlightening is Smith's cogent explanation of antireligious media bias.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2001
Smith, the respected author of the classic best seller The World's Religions and former professor of religion and psychology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technolgy, now adds a brilliant and accessible title that challenges the religious dimensions of human life. In the first part, he considers the accomplishments and deficiencies of each of three historical periods--traditional, modern, and postmodern--critiquing how each era has contributed to our contemporary spiritual malaise. Not satisfied with simply judging the past, Smith focuses the second part on the future, offering hopeful alternatives to build renewed spiritual vigor. Passionate and inspiring, Smith employs personal stories and experiences with leading religious, philosophical, and scientific thinkers. This is truly a book of wisdom to accompany readers through the metaphorical tunnel into the light of a new millennium. Recommended for public and academic libraries.--John-Leonard Berg, Univ. of Wisconsin, Platteville

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.