"The Spell of Belief" is a captivating book that explores the power of belief and its influence on our lives. Written by an acclaimed author, the book delves into the psychology behind belief systems and how they shape our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our reality. The central theme of the book revolves around the concept that our beliefs have the ability to shape our lives. It argues that what we believe to be true becomes our reality, influencing our behavior, decisions, and the opportunities that come our way. The author provides numerous examples and case studies to exemplify this concept, from personal anecdotes to famous historical events. One of the key messages emphasized throughout the book is the importance of self-belief.
10. Morality and Religion
1. Does religion make us moral?
2. Is religion what gives meaning to your life?
3. What can we say about sacred values?
4. Bless my soul: spirituality and selfishness
The New York Times bestseller a crystal-clear, constantly engaging Jared Diamond exploration of the role that religious belief plays in our lives and our interactions. Every minister in every faith is like a jazz musician, he writes, keeping traditions alive by playing the beloved standards the way they are supposed to be played, but also incessantly gauging and deciding, slowing the pace or speeding up, deleting or adding another phrase to a prayer, mixing familiarity and novelty in just the right proportions to grab the minds and hearts of the listeners in attendance.
One of the key messages emphasized throughout the book is the importance of self-belief. It highlights how our internal beliefs about ourselves can either propel us towards success or hold us back. By exploring the psychology of belief, the book encourages readers to challenge their limiting beliefs and embrace a positive mindset.
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon - Softcover
For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically: to ask why—and how—it has shaped so many lives so strongly. Is religion a product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Is it truly the best way to live a moral life? Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, Daniel C. Dennett charts religion’s evolution from “wild” folk belief to “domesticated” dogma. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, Breaking the Spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike.
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About the Author:Daniel C. Dennett is University Professor, professor of philosophy, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. His books include From Bacteria to Bach and Back, Freedom Evolves, Consciousness Explained and Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, a finalist for the National Book Award.
From Scientific American:If nowhere else, the dead live on in our brain cells, not just as memories but as programs— computerlike models compiled over the years capturing how the dearly departed behaved when they were alive. These simulations can be remarkably faithful. In even the craziest dreams the people we know may remain eerily in character, acting as we would expect them to in the real world. Even after the simulation outlasts the simulated, we continue to sense the strong presence of a living being. Sitting beside a gravestone, we might speak and think for a moment that we hear a reply. In the 21st century, cybernetic metaphors provide a rational grip on what prehistoric people had every reason to think of as ghosts, voices of the dead. And that may have been the beginning of religion. If the deceased was a father or a village elder, it would have been natural to ask for advice—which way to go to find water or the best trails for a hunt. If the answers were not forthcoming, the guiding spirits could be summoned by a shaman. Drop a bundle of sticks onto the ground or heat a clay pot until it cracks: the patterns form a map, a communication from the other side. These random walks the gods prescribed may indeed have formed a sensible strategy. The shamans would gain in stature, the rituals would become liturgies, and centuries later people would fill mosques, cathedrals and synagogues, not really knowing how they got there. With speculations like these, scientists try to understand what for most of the world’s population needs no explanation: why there is this powerful force called religion. It is possible, of course, that the world’s faiths are triangulating in on the one true God. But if you forgo that leap, other possibilities arise: Does banding together in groups and acting out certain behaviors confer a reproductive advantage, spreading genes favorable to belief? Or are the seeds of religion more likely to be found among the memes—ideas so powerful that they leap from mind to mind? In Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, Daniel Dennett, director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University, has embarked on another of his seemingly impossible quests. His provocatively titled book Consciousness Explained made a persuasive effort to do just that. More recently, in Freedom Evolves, he took on free will from a Darwinian perspective. This time he may have assumed the hardest task of all—and not just because of the subject matter. Dennett hopes that this book will be read not just by atheists and agnostics but by the religiously faithful—and that they will come to see the wisdom of analyzing their deepest beliefs scientifically, weeding out the harmful from the good. The spell he hopes to break, he suggests, is not religious belief itself but the conviction that its details are off-limits to scientific inquiry, taboo. "I appreciate that many readers will be profoundly distrustful of the tack I am taking here," he writes. "They will see me as just another liberal professor trying to cajole them out of some of their convictions, and they are dead right about that—that’s what I am, and that’s exactly what I am trying to do." This warning comes at the end of a long, two-chapter overture in which Dennett defends the idea that religion is a fit subject for scrutiny. The question is how many of the faithful will follow him that far. For those who do not need to be persuaded, the main draw here is a sharp synthesis of a library of evolutionary, anthropological and psychological research on the origin and spread of religion. Drawing on thinkers such as Pascal Boyer (whose own book is called Religion Explained) and giving their work his own spin, Dennett speculates how a primitive belief in ghosts might have given rise to wind spirits and rain gods, wood nymphs and leprechauns. The world is a scary place. What else to blame for the unexpected than humanlike beings lurking behind the scenes? The result would be a cacophony of superstitions— memes vying with memes—some more likely to proliferate than others. In a world where agriculture was drawing people to aggregate in larger and larger settlements, it would be beneficial to believe you had been commanded by a stern god to honor and protect your neighbors, those who share your beliefs instead of your DNA. Casting this god as a father figure also seems like a natural. Parents have a genetic stake in giving their children advice that improves their odds for survival. You’d have less reason to put your trust in a Flying Spaghetti Monster. At first this winnowing of ghost stories would be unconscious, but as language and self-awareness developed, some ideas would be groomed and domesticated. Folk religion would develop into organized religion, Dennett suggests, somewhat the way folk music bloomed into the music of today. The metaphor is hard to resist. "Every minister in every faith is like a jazz musician," he writes, "keeping traditions alive by playing the beloved standards the way they are supposed to be played, but also incessantly gauging and deciding, slowing the pace or speeding up, deleting or adding another phrase to a prayer, mixing familiarity and novelty in just the right proportions to grab the minds and hearts of the listeners in attendance." Like biological parasites, memes are not necessarily dependent on the welfare of their hosts. One of the most powerful fixations, and one that may have Dennett flummoxed, is that it is sacrilegious to question your own beliefs and an insult for anyone else to try. "What a fine protective screen this virus provides," he observes, "permitting it to shed the antibodies of skepticism effortlessly!" Asides like this seem aimed more at fellow skeptics than at the true believers Dennett hopes to unconvert. A better tack might be for him to start his own religion. Meanwhile his usual readers can deepen their understanding with another of his penetrating books.
George Johnson, a 2005 Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellow in Science and Religion, is author of Fire in the Mind: Science, Faith, and the Search for Order and six other books.
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PART II: THE EVOLUTION OF RELIGION
Another notable aspect of "The Spell of Belief" is its exploration of the societal impact of collective beliefs. The book discusses how cultural, religious, and societal beliefs shape our worldviews and influence our interactions with others. It delves into the idea that belief systems can be both empowering and restrictive, and how they can shape the behaviors and attitudes of entire communities. Throughout the book, the author presents various strategies and exercises to help readers examine and transform their beliefs. By providing practical tools for personal growth and self-discovery, the book aims to empower individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and create a more fulfilling life. Overall, "The Spell of Belief" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the power of belief and its impact on every aspect of our lives. It serves as a reminder that our beliefs shape our reality and that by understanding and transforming our beliefs, we have the ability to create a more positive and fulfilling life experience..
Reviews for "The Influence of "The Spell of Belief" Book on Personal Relationships: Cultivating Connections"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "The spell of belief book". The author's writing style was confusing and hard to follow, making it difficult for me to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, I found the plot to be predictable and lacking in originality. Overall, I didn't feel a connection to the characters or the story, and I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Mike - 1 star - I couldn't finish "The spell of belief book" because I found it incredibly boring. The pacing was slow, and the plot didn't seem to be going anywhere. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, and I didn't care about what happened to them. I was hoping for a captivating and magical read, but unfortunately, this book fell far short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "The spell of belief book" mainly because of the protagonist. I found the main character to be highly unlikable and irritating, which made it hard for me to root for her throughout the story. Additionally, the world-building felt weak, leaving many unanswered questions and inconsistencies. The concept had potential, but the execution left me feeling unsatisfied.
4. Tom - 1 star - "The spell of belief book" was a major letdown for me. The writing was amateurish, filled with clichés and overused tropes. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The book also seemed to lack a clear direction, jumping from one random event to another without a cohesive plot. I regret spending my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
5. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The spell of belief book" based on the positive reviews I had read, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through important events in others. I also found the romance subplot to be poorly developed and unrealistic. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to fellow readers.