Are There Scientific Traces Of God A Skeptics Investigation

A new edition covering the latest scientific research on how the brain makes us believers or skeptics Recent polls report that 96 percent of Americans believe in God, and 73 percent believe that angels regularly visit Earth. Why is this? Why, despite the rise of science, technology, and secular education, are people turning to religion in greater numbers than ever before? Why do people believe in God at all? These provocative questions lie at the heart of How We Believe , an illuminating study of God, faith, and religion. Bestselling author Michael Shermer offers fresh and often startling insights into age-old questions, including how and why humans put their faith in a higher power, even in the face of scientific skepticism. Shermer has updated the book to explore the latest research and theories of psychiatrists, neuroscientists, epidemiologists, and philosophers, as well as the role of faith in our increasingly diverse modern world. Whether believers or nonbelievers, we are all driven by the need to understand the universe and our place in it. How We Believe is a brilliant scientific tour of this ancient and mysterious desire.

Does human life have any significance? The statements below have become widely accepted in the Western world: •Life is the accidental product of random events. •The laws of physics are totally deterministic. •Science does not accept a connection between physical matter and human consciousness. •Atheism is a conclusion from evidence while faith is speculation. •Science and faith are incompatible. •Suffering contradicts the existence of a loving, omnipotent God. •Jesus was a compilation of pagan mythologies or a human teacher who was deified. But do these statements represent eternal truths? Are they logical conclusions based on established facts or merely opinions? What is the evidence? To investigate these and other questions of existence and faith, a skeptical academic objectively explored relevant aspects of philosophy, mythology, history, archaeology, cosmology, quantum physics, biochemistry, and various faiths that finally led to investigation of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures (including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the gnostic gospels). The findings of this research not only challenge many modern assumptions but also have significant implications for our understanding of reality. Written with minimum technicality for general readership, this book presents a wide range of interesting and carefully confirmed facts relevant to the above questions. Whether you are an atheist or an agnostic, a Christian, or a follower of another faith, or have simply not been interested, this investigation provides valuable and surprising insights into the nature of the universe and our place in it.

Dr Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, is one of the world's leading scientists, working at the cutting edge of the study of DNA, the code of life. Yet he is also a man of unshakable faith in God. How does he reconcile the seemingly unreconcilable? In THE LANGUAGE OF GOD he explains his own journey from atheism to faith, and then takes the reader on a stunning tour of modern science to show that physics, chemistry and biology -- indeed, reason itself -- are not incompatible with belief. His book is essential reading for anyone who wonders about the deepest questions of all: why are we here? How did we get here? And what does life mean?

A New York Times bestseller people can believe in—by "a pioneer of the new urban Christians" (Christianity Today) and the "C.S. Lewis for the 21st century" (Newsweek). Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand their ground against the backlash to religion created by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics, he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.

Why have so many well-known statesmen and scientists, as well as famous sportsmen, musicians and writers from our current era - and from past ages - expressed such a passionate belief in God? In this revealing, information-packed and thought provoking book you will; * Discover why more and more scientists are rejecting Darwin's Theory of Evolution. * Learn how palaeontology - the study of fossils - fails to provide the crucial evidence needed to support Evolution. Furthermore, leading evolutionists admit it! * Find out why DNA is such convincing evidence of God at work in creation. * Discover how The Bible makes secret reference to famous events and people ranging from Shakespeare and Picasso to the assassination of President Kennedy and the destruction of New York's Twin Towers. * Find out how The Bible supports modern day findings by astrophysicists. * See the scientific evidence for Noah's Ark and the parting of the RedSea by Moses. * Discover what God thinks about us. * Learn what heaven is really like. * Find out what the Bible predicts for the future. ...and much, much more!

Explore and discuss the top 10 most difficult questions raised against Christianity. You may be skeptical of Christianity yourself. You may have grown up in the church and never questioned your beliefs. You may be somewhere in the middle or unsure where you stand. But wherever you are, this ten-session study guide (DVD/streaming video sold separately) is designed to take you and your group through the biggest questions people raise against God and the Christian faith. Based on the explorations of his book, The Problem of God, Mark Clark uses an engaging mix of theology, philosophy, science, and story to investigate the essential questions that weigh on the human mind: God's existence, the veracity of the Bible, evil and suffering, hell, sex, hypocrisy, exclusivity, and the claims of Jesus. This video-based study is designed to be experienced in a group setting or any small gathering. Throughout the ten sessions, you'll take part in a number of activities, including: Watching the video teachings from Mark (The Problem of God Video Study, sold separately). Group discussion questions. Written responses and personal reflections. Scripture readings and prayers. The Problem of God Study Guide provides a safe space to wrestle intentionally with the questions, the ideas, and the evidence—and, ultimately, to wrestle with faith and doubt. Sessions include: The Problem of Science The Problem of God's Existence The Problem of the Bible The Problem of the Christian Myth The Problem of Evil and Suffering The Problem of Hell The Problem of Sex The Problem of Hypocrisy The Problem of Exclusivity The Problem of Jesus The Problem of God Video Study (9780310108399) sold separately.