Harumi

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the IB program, or if you are familiar with it, heard of the Extended Essay. It's a 15-20 page report, and I need desperate help!

My topic is: Is Religion a Necessity in the World?

Are there any books which cover this topic? If there are, I would like books which cover (argue for) both sides of the arguments, written by atheists/freethinkers and theists alike. If you are willing to help me, please also tell me where I can buy them cheapest.

It would be nice if we could have a discussion right here on this thread, since the IBO like it when their candidates have interviews and do extensive outside research with people.

If you are willing to help, thank-you, thank-you!

Harumi

P.S. You'll have my eternal gratitude if you do. <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />

Ierrellus

Harumi:

Start with William James' VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, which is highly respected among academics. Then go from there to your thesis.

Ierrellus

Bill

Here are some suggestions: <ol type="1">[*]<a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=690" target="_blank">Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief</a> by Andrew B. Newberg and Eugene G. D'Aquili[*]<a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=395" target="_blank">The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach</a> by Richard Gorsuch and Bruce Hunsberger (also see the next listing)[*]<a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=396" target="_blank">The Psychology of Religion: Theoretical Approaches</a> by Bernard Spilka and Daniel N. McIntosh[/list=a]The above books would seem to indicate that religion is a psychological and/or social requirement (depending upon exactly which view you take of it). There is also support from history (i.e., the writings of Will Durant, Arnold Toynbee, and, in particular, Oswald Spengler) for the idea that humans can't seem to form a Civilization without some sort of unifying religious point of view.

So, even as an atheist/agnostic/whatever you want to call me, I'd be taking the affirmative side on your question. Its the empirically-justifiable choice, anyway.

== Bill

Harumi

Thank you so much!

You suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Harumi