Religion: Reality Behind the Myths

Despite religion being a core theme of many contemporary debates, a solid and settled definition of the concept has not yet been reached. Nevertheless, it is regularly assumed that, because of their common characteristics, we are able to recognize religious phenomena when we see them. For example, it is often supposed that religion is primarily based on faith, that religion conflicts with science, and that the world would be a lot less violent without religions. Yet, no matter how widespread such assumptions might be, in the end, they turn out to be incorrect. What we think about religion does not correspond to what religion really is.

Offering many concrete examples from different traditions, Religion: Reality Behind the Myths dispels the main misunderstandings, breaches the contemporary opposition between secular versus religious and presents a novel view on the essence of religion.

Jonas Atlas’ new book Religion: Reality Behind the Myths, published by IFF Books, is out now and available from all major bookstores.

What experts are saying

“I have been wanting to see someone crystallize the myths about religion and show them for what they are. This is an important breakthrough and major clarification.”
Rupert Sheldrake
— Author of ‘The Science Delusion’

“A clear and important demolition of some key modern myths about religion.”
Abdal Hakim Murad
— Dean of the Cambridge Muslim College“Jonas Atlas has taken a wealth of scholarship and presented it in brief and accessible form. Atlas replaces nonsense with nuance, and shows that many of what we think are facts are ideologically-motivated falsehoods instead. This book builds bridges between ‘nonbelievers’ and ‘believers’.”
William T. Cavanaugh
— Professor of political theology

“Jonas Atlas brings us on a journey of rediscovery of humanity’s greatest treasure and most valuable legacy: the maps to meaning embedded in our religious traditions.”
Bernardo Kastrup
Executive Director of Essentia Foundation