<b><i>NEW YORK TIMES</i> BESTSELLER • The bestselling author of <i>Zealot</i> and host of <i>Believer </i>explores humanity’s quest to make sense of the divine in this concise and fascinating history of our understanding of God.</b><br /><b> </b><br /> In <i>Zealot,</i> Reza Aslan replaced the staid, well-worn portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth with a startling new image of the man in all his contradictions. In his new book, Aslan takes on a subject even more immense: God, writ large.<br />  <br />In layered prose and with thoughtful, accessible scholarship, Aslan narrates the history of religion as a remarkably cohesive attempt to understand the divine by giving it human traits and emotions. According to Aslan, this innate desire to humanize God is hardwired in our brains, making it a central feature of nearly every religious tradition. As Aslan writes, “Whether we are aware of it or not, and regardless of whether we’re believers or not, what the vast majority of us think about when we think about God is a divine version of ourselves.”<br />  <br /> But this projection is not without consequences. We bestow upon God not just all that is good in human nature—our compassion, our thirst for justice—but all that is bad in it: our greed, our bigotry, our penchant for violence. All these qualities inform our religions, cultures, and governments.<br />  <br /> More than just a history of our understanding of God, this book is an attempt to get to the root of this humanizing impulse in order to develop a more universal spirituality. Whether you believe in one God, many gods, or no god at all, <i>God: A Human History</i> will challenge the way you think about the divine and its role in our everyday lives.<br /><br /><b>Praise for God</b><br /><br />“Timely, riveting, enlightening and necessary.”<b>—</b><i><b><i>HuffPost</i></b><br /><br /> </i>“Tantalizing . . . Driven by [Reza] Aslan’s grace and curiosity, God . . . helps us pan out from our troubled times, while asking us to consider a more expansive view of the divine in contemporary life.”<b><i><b><i>—The Seattle Times</i></b><br /><br /> </i></b>“A fascinating exploration of the interaction of our humanity and God.”<b><i><b>—<i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</i></b><br /><br /> </i></b>“[Aslan’s] slim, yet ambitious book [is] the story of how humans have created God with a capital G, and it’s thoroughly mind-blowing.”<b><i><b><i>—Los Angeles Review of Books</i></b><br /><br /> </i></b>“Aslan is a born storyteller, and there is much to enjoy in this intelligent survey.”<b><i><b>—<i>San Francisco Chronicle</i></b></i></b>

<div>The central contention of the “New Atheism” of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens is that there has for several centuries been a war between science and religion, that religion has been steadily losing that war, and that at this point in human history a completely secular scientific account of the world has been worked out in such thorough and convincing detail that there is no longer any reason why a rational and educated person should find the claims of any religion the least bit worthy of attention.<br /><br />     But as Edward Feser argues in <i>The Last Superstition</i>, in fact there is not, and never has been, any war between science and religion at all. There has instead been a conflict between two entirely <i>philosophical conceptions</i> of the natural order: on the one hand, the classical “teleological” vision of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas, on which purpose or goal-directedness is as inherent a feature of the physical world as mass or electric charge; and the modern “mechanical” vision of Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, and Hume, according to which the physical world is comprised of nothing more than purposeless, meaningless particles in motion. As it happens, on the classical teleological picture, the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, and the natural-law conception of morality are rationally unavoidable. Modern atheism and secularism have thus always crucially depended for their rational credentials on the insinuation that the modern, mechanical picture of the world has somehow been established by science.<br /><br />     Yet this modern “mechanical” picture has never been established by science, and cannot be, for it is not a scientific theory in the first place but merely a philosophical interpretation of science. Moreover, as Feser shows, the philosophical arguments in its favor given by the early modern philosophers were notable only for being surprisingly weak.<br /><br />      However, not only is this modern philosophical picture rationally unfounded, it is demonstrably false. For the “mechanical” conception of the natural world, when worked<br /><br />out consistently, absurdly entails that rationality, and indeed the human mind itself, is illusory. The so-called “scientific worldview” championed by the New Atheists thus inevitably undermines its own rational foundations; and into the bargain (and contrary to the moralistic posturing of the New Atheists) it undermines the foundations of any possible morality as well. By contrast, and as The Last Superstition demonstrates, the classical teleological picture of nature can be seen to find powerful confirmation in developments from contemporary philosophy, biology, and physics; moreover, morality and reason itself cannot possibly be made sense of apart from it.  The teleological vision of the ancients and medievals is thereby rationally vindicated – and with it the religious worldview they based upon it.<br /><br />     Winner of the 2008 Book of the Year in Religion from <i>ForeWord</i> Magazine and the only 2008 Editors’ Choice for Religion from the American Library Association’s <i>Booklist</i>, <i>The Last Superstition</i> remains the most cogent and powerful refutation of the New Atheism extent.</div>

The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on The Tibetan Book of the Dead (commonly referred to as The Psychedelic Experience) is an instruction manual intended for use during sessions involving psychedelic drugs. Started as early as 1962 in Zihuatanejo, the book was finally published in August 1964.[1] This version of Tibetan Book of the Dead was authored by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner and Richard Alpert, all of whom took part in experiments investigating the therapeutic and religious possibilities of drugs such as mescaline, psilocybin and LSD. The book now in kindle edition is dedicated to Aldous Huxley and includes a short introductory citation from Huxley's book The Doors of Perception. Part of this text was used by the Beatles in the song Tomorrow Never Knows.

<div> Despite the recent ferocious public debate about belief, the concept most central to the discussion—God—frequently remains vaguely and obscurely described. Are those engaged in these arguments even talking about the same thing? In a wide-ranging response to this confusion, esteemed scholar David Bentley Hart pursues a clarification of how the word “God” functions in the world’s great theistic faiths.<BR> <br /> Ranging broadly across Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Vedantic and Bhaktic Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, Hart explores how these great intellectual traditions treat humanity’s knowledge of the divine mysteries. Constructing his argument around three principal metaphysical “moments”—being, consciousness, and bliss—the author demonstrates an essential continuity between our fundamental experience of reality and the ultimate reality to which that experience inevitably points.<BR> <br /> Thoroughly dismissing such blatant misconceptions as the deists' concept of God, as well as the fundamentalist view of the Bible as an objective historical record, Hart provides a welcome antidote to simplistic manifestoes. In doing so, he plumbs the depths of humanity’s experience of the world as powerful evidence for the reality of God and captures the beauty and poetry of traditional reflection upon the divine.</div>

<p>From the new afterword by the author:<br /><br />Humanity has had a long fascination with blood sacrifice. In fact, it has been by no means uncommon for a child to be born into this world only to be patiently and lovingly reared by religious maniacs, who believe that the best way to keep the sun on its course or to ensure a rich harvest is to lead him by tender hand into a field or to a mountaintop and bury, butcher, or burn him alive as offering to an invisible God. The notion that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that his death constitutes a successful propitiation of a “loving” God is a direct and undisguised inheritance of the superstitious bloodletting that has plagued bewildered people throughout history. . .</p>

FIRM STREET DATE = NOVEMBER 4, 2008. STORES MUST NOT HAVE THIS TITLE ON DISPLAY BEFORE 11/4/08.A low-cost softcover that is perfect to give to seeking friends and neighbors to explain why an intelligent, college-educated person can believe in Christianity.Is Christianity true? Can educated, thinking people really believe the Bible? Or, do the athiests have it right? Has Christianity been disproved by science and discredited as a guide to morality?Best-selling author Dinesh D'Souza (<i>What's So Great About America</i>) approaches Christianity with a skeptical eye, but treats the skeptics with equal skepticism. The result is a book that will challenge the assumptions of doubters and affirm that there really is, indeed, something great about Christianity.

The Bible is the sole source of Christian faith; but what is it and how does it stand up to scrutiny? The Bible is a contradictory and much theologically corrected collection of books, the contents of which are not necessarily what we are taught. For example did you know that Jesus' real name was Joshua? Did you know that Mary the mother of Jesus was only twelve years old when she was espoused to Joseph; himself an old widower at the time who had grandsons older than Mary? Did you know that Jesus was born when Mary was just sixteen? Did you know that Mary ended up having ten children? Jesus had four brothers and two sisters; then after Joseph died, Mary remarried and had three more children. Did you know that Judas Iscariot was the only one of the twelve disciples who was not closely related to Jesus? Did you know that Paul and Jesus' disciples were arch enemies and consequently Jesus and his disciples had absolutely nothing to do with Christianity? We have been massively deceived by the Church and the deceit continues. This book shows how, when, why and by whom we have been deceived.

<h2><strong>Ulitmate Survival Guide For Empaths & Highly Sensitive People (HSP)</strong></h2><br /><h2><strong><em>"Fascinating and easy to read.</em></strong></h2><br />Simple tips and tricks for feeling and living better. Very informative. Great read. Will definitely look into more books by Vik Carter."<br />- Nikki<br /><br /><h2><strong><em>"Amazing!</em></strong></h2><br />I have never read a book that I felt so in tune with. I believe this information will benefit me and my daughter greatly. Thank you!<br />- Stephanie Harter<br /><br /><h2><em>Five Stars</em></h2><br />"This book was very helpful to me. It explained things that I could not find elsewhere."<br />- Sue Ottmar<br /><br /><br /><h2><strong><em>Do You Want To Live An EASIER LIFE As An Empath? </em></strong></h2><br /><h2><strong><em>Would You Like To Protect & Heal Yourself From Negative Energies? </em></strong></h2><br /><h2><strong><em>Are Your Interested In Learning How To THRIVE As A Highly Sensitive Person? </em></strong></h2><br /><br /><br />Read this book to learn to thrive as an empath. You see, I am an empath too, and understand the struggles, pain and challenges of being an empath. For many years, I struggled with many things in my life but did not know why until I found out that I was an Empath. Suddenly, most things in my life started making sense.<br /><br /><br />Even after finding about empaths and that I was one, I had a very hard time managing this gift of being an empath. In fact, it did not feel like a gift at all.<br /><br /><br />Over the years, I developed habits to use this gift rather than get disturbed by it. In this book, I share all my strategies with you in great detail in the form of <strong>step-by-step information, practical tips and useful suggestions</strong> to help you to not only survive but rather <strong>thrive as an empath</strong>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><h2>This book, ‘16 SIMPLE HABITS FOR EMPATHS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, FEEL BETTER & ENJOY LIFE’ will show you how to:</h2><br /><ul><br /><li><h2> Stop Suffering & Heal Yourself Even If You Are A Highly Sensitive Person</h2></li><br /><li><h2> Protect Yourself From Energy Drains</h2></li><br /><li><h2> Use Your Gift & Thrive As An Empath</h2></li><br /></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><h2>When You Read This Book, You Can Massively IMPROVE YOUR LIFE By Learning To:</h2><br /><ul><br /><li><strong>Let go of stress and suffering by developing habits to heal as an empath</strong></li><br /><br /><li><strong>Feel better by using techniques to stay positive even if you are a highly sensitive person (HSP)</strong></li><br /><br /><li><strong>Stop feeling bad by letting go of negative thoughts, feelings and emotions</strong></li><br /><br /><li><strong>Enjoy your relationships more by learning protection strategies</strong></li><br /><br /><li><strong>Feel more grounded socially by having the ability to protect yourself from other people’s energy</strong></li><br /><br /><li><strong>Be more energetic by protecting yourself from energy vampires</strong></li><br /><br /><li><strong>Thrive as an empath by using your gift</strong></li><br /></ul><br /><br /><br /><strong>The goal of this book is to serve you, by giving you specific details about how to thrive as an empath.</strong><br /><br /><br /><h2>WHAT YOU WILL LEARN, WHEN YOU READ ‘16 SIMPLE HABITS FOR EMPATHS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, FEEL BETTER & ENJOY LIFE’ EVEN IF YOU ARE A HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON (HSP)?</h2><br /><ul><br /> <li>What Is An Empath?</li><br /><li>How To Protect Yourself From Feeling Overwhelmed & Drained</li><br /><li>How To Release Negative Thoughts & Feelings</li><br /><li>How To Protect Yourself From Other People’s Energy</li><br /><li>Ways To Heal As An Empath</li><br /><li>Steps To Thrive As An Empath</li><br /></ul><br /><br /><strong><em>16 Simple Habits For Empaths To Protect Themselves, Feel Better & Enjoy Life </em></strong>is filled with detailed step-by-step information & useful tips from my own experience. This book covers a full range of topics on living as an empath.<br /><br /><br /><h2><strong><em>To PROTECT YOURSELF, FEEL BETTER & ENJOY LIFE MORE As An Empath</em> …scroll to the top of the page and click the BUY NOW button.</strong></h2>

<h4>As humans, we get to choose what we believe and who we want to be. This book is a ruthlessly pragmatic guide to creating your own answers to life's biggest questions. <br /></h4><p><br /><em>Each of this book's four chapters covers one of the most important questions a person must ask themselves:</em></p><ul><li>What is the purpose of my life?</li><li> How can I best realize the purpose of my life?</li><li> Who do I want to be?</li><li> How do I want other people to think of me?</li></ul><p>Rather than give you answers to these questions, this guide provides a framework that helps you develop your own answers while equipping you with the neuroscientific tools necessary to transform yourself into whomever you choose to be. </p><p>If you are looking for a light read that will make you feel good about yourself, this isn’t the book for you. If you want to take the time to think hard, take full ownership of the person you have allowed yourself to become, and permanently transform yourself into the best iteration of that person then you have found your book.<br /></p><p><br /> <strong>The book was created as the work of a non-profit institution (http://pragmatist.guide/) dedicated to helping people think through the big questions in life without leading them to a specific answer, all proceeds from the sale of the book go to the nonprofit and not the author.</strong></p><p><strong></strong><br /></p><h3><strong></strong><br /></h3>

Goodbye Jesus is the step-by-step account of a former minister’s journey into and out of faith—the story of a long pendulum swing from the deep commitment of a devout believer to the firm conviction that no personal God exists and that all religions are man-made.<br /><br />Tim Sledge was a Southern Baptist preacher and writer for 35 years. His pioneering work in faith-based recovery ministries in the 80s and 90s ultimately guided participants in 20,000 Christian support groups across the U.S. <br /><br />The driving force behind Sledge’s ultimate rejection of Christianity was his long-term, up-close observations of church life. “After living and leading in the church for decades, I saw no consistent evidence of an ongoing supernatural presence—and I wanted to see that evidence with all that was in me.”<br /><br />Part memoir, part exposé, part polemic, Goodbye Jesus is an honest, highly personal, and frequently provocative spiritual autobiography that concludes with an insider’s takedown of religious faith. <br /><br />This is a relatable and thoughtful read for those seeking to better understand the evangelical mindset, for Christians who are questioning their faith, for ministers trying to decide whether to stay or go, and for those who have left their faith and are dealing with its loss.