How God Becomes Real

Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others

De: T.M. Luhrmann

Narrado por: Derek Perkins

The hard work required to make God real, how it changes the people who do it, and why it helps explain the enduring power of faith

How do gods and spirits come to feel vividly real to people - as if they were standing right next to them? But it isn't easy to maintain a sense that there are invisible spirits who care about you. In How God Becomes Real, acclaimed anthropologist and scholar of religion T. M. Luhrmann argues that people must work incredibly hard to make gods real and that this effort helps to explain the enduring power of faith.

Drawing on ethnographic studies of evangelical Christians, pagans, magicians, Zoroastrians, Black Catholics, Santeria initiates, and newly orthodox Jews, Luhrmann notes that none of these people behave as if gods and spirits are simply there. Rather, these worshippers make strenuous efforts to create a world in which invisible others matter and can become intensely present and real. The faithful accomplish this through detailed stories, absorption, the cultivation of inner senses, belief in a porous mind, strong sensory experiences, prayer, and other practices. Along the way, Luhrmann shows why faith is harder than belief, why prayer is a metacognitive activity like therapy, why becoming religious is like getting engrossed in a book, and much more.

©2020 Princeton University Press (P)2021 Tantor

A revolutionary understanding of modern religion

Methodology, great English, a humble and caring approach to the subjects of study and the subject matter. Rigorous review that nevertheless does not get lost in detail.

A fascinating exploration

This is a fascinating exploration of people's real experiences with their gods. I have only one complaint. The male narrator gives the impression that author is male.

An Exquisite and Thoughtful Reflection on Belief

I came to this book per the recommendation of a scholarly friend who assured me that its approach lacked the often exhausting bias of so many researchers regarding religion. The bias goes both ways, with believers leaving out any forms of criticism or doubt and cherrypicking their research, while nonbelievers speak in infantilizing and condescending ways about their subjects. This book does neither and instead examines the experiences of believers objectively without trying to prove or disprove their source. It's refreshing to know that there are at least some researchers out there willing to walk an all too necessary line in an increasingly polarized world. I'll definitely be seeking out more work from the author. Lest I ignore the format, I also very much enjoyed the skill and pacing of the narrator.

i had to read this for an anthropology class

this is possibly one of the dullest works of nonfiction i have ever read. the writer goes over the same ideas multiple times in every chapter. the wording is dull and boring. the narrator is monotonous.