Is Religion Dangerous? From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Is Religion Dangerous? is a book by Keith Ward examining the questions: "Is religion dangerous? Does it do more harm than good? Is it a force for evil?" It was first published in 2006. Looking at the evidence from history, philosophy, sociology and psychology, Ward focuses on the main question at issue: does religion do more harm than good? He begins by examining the key area of religion and violence and goes on to assess the allegations of irrationality and immorality, before exploring the good religion has done over the centuries. He suggests that without religion the human race would be considerably worse off and there would be little hope for the future. SummaryIn the Introduction: What is religion? Ward begins "Is religion dangerous? Does it do more harm than good? Is it a force for evil, even 'the root of all evil' - the title of a short British television series presented by Richard Dawkins?". Ward states his view that the assertion that religion does more harm than good ignores "the available evidence from history, from psychology and sociology, and from philosophy" and suggests that proponents of this view "refuse to investigate the question in a properly rigorous way, and substitute rhetoric for analysis".[1] He suggests that it is impossible to give a satisfactory universal definition of religion, and that early opponents of religion such as Edward Taylor, James Frazer and Emile Durkheim were indulging in "scholarly fantazising" about forms of primitive religion which were refuted by more rigorous studies such as Theories of Primitive Religion by Evans-Pritchard. "unfortunately some writers have not yet realised this" such as Daniel Dennett in Breaking the Spell who "does not seem to realise that the spell was broken as long ago as 1884 when E. P. Taylor was appointed to a Readership in Anthropology at Oxford University."[2] Part One: Religion and violence In Chapter 1. The Causes of Violence he suggests that "It is not religion that causes intolerance. It is intolerance that uses religion" that "The leaders of such movements [are] using moral and religious language as a cloak for evil and irreligious ends"[3] and that "religions are not the causes of evil, but they do naturally share in the general moral state of the societies in which they exist"[4] In Chapter 2. The corruptibility of all things human he suggests that any organised human activity can be corrupted, and that the corruptions of religion, although highly regrettable, are less harmful that the corruptions of secular ideologies (the excesses of the Nazis, Leninists and Maoists all claimed the support of science). In addition the great religions have within themselves a powerful critique of corruption. In Chapter 3. Religion and war he suggests that "it is not religion that causes Islamic terrorism. It is a version of Islam that has been corrupted by ...Marxist-Leninism"[5] and that Al Qaida is based on a demonstrably incorrect interpretation of Islam. He further suggests that wars fought in the name of some interpretations of Christianity have also been based on distortions. [edit] Part Two: Are religious beliefs irrational?In Chapter 4. Faith and reason he claims that the statement "the only reasonable beliefs are those that can be confirmed by the methods of science, by public observation, measurement and experiment" is self-refuting[6] He contrasts four worldviews: Common Sense, Materialism, Idealism and Christian Theism, and suggests that there are serious problems with Common Sense (science shows that things are often not in fact as they seem at all) and Materialism ("quantum physics seems to dissolve matter entirely", and "consciousness and the contents of consciousness resist translation into purely physical terms... and if ... truth, beauty and goodness ... are things that really exist ... then Materialism will not match our experience at all".[7]) He suggests that "many attacks on religion are based on the belief that idealism is false. There is no spiritual dimension to reality... to make matters worse, thinkers like Richard Dawkins hold that...religious views are based on "blind faith"". But, he asks, "Has Dawkins never read any philosophy?... Does he really think that Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Kant and Hegel were all unthinking simpletons?"[8] "Looking around my philosopher colleagues in Britain, virtually all of whom I know at least from their published work, I would say that very few of them are materialists... the point is that religious views are underpinned by highly sophisticated philosophical arguments".[9] He discusses the contestability of worldviews and suggests some criteria on what makes a worldview reasonable: 1.Clarity and precision in stating the

Aperture- F4.3 Focal length- 60 mm Shutter speed- 1/159 sec. ISO- 200 Milk thistles are thistles of the genus Silybum Adans., flowering plants of the daisy family (Asteraceae). They are native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The name "milk thistle" derives from two features of the leaves: they are mottled with splashes of white and they contain a milky sap. However, it is the seeds of milk thistle that herbalists have used for 2000 years to treat chronic liver disease and protect the liver against toxins. Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle. Members of this genus grow as annual or biennial plants. Only two species are currently classified in this genus: Silybum eburneum Coss. "Dur., known as the Silver Milk Thistle, Elephant Thistle, or Ivory Thistle." Silybum eburneum Coss. "Dur. var. hispanicum Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner, the Blessed Milk Thistle," which has a large number of other common names, such as Variegated Thistle. The two species hybridise naturally, the hybrid being known as Silybum ? gonzaloi Canto , Sanchez Mata" Rivas Mart. (S. eburneum var. hispanicum x S. marianum). A number of other plants have been classified in this genus in the past but have since been relocated elsewhere in the light of additional research. For many centuries extracts of milk thistle have been recognized as "liver tonics." Research into the biological activity of silymarin and its possible medical uses has been conducted in many countries since the 1970s, but the quality of the research has been uneven. Milk thistle has been reported to have protective effects on the liver and to greatly improve its function. It is typically used to treat liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), toxin-induced liver damage (including the prevention of severe liver damage from Amanita phalloides (death cap) mushroom poisoning), and gallbladder disorders. Reviews of the literature covering clinical studies of silymarin vary in their conclusions. A review using only studies with both double-blind and placebo protocols concluded that milk thistle and its "derivative" does not seem to significantly influence the course of patients with alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C "liver diseases." A different review of the literature, performed for the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that, while there is strong evidence of legitimate medical benefits, the studies done to date are of such uneven design and quality that no firm conclusions about degrees of effectiveness for specific conditions or appropriate dosage can yet be made. Because of the Agricultural boom, plants like the milk thistle are regarded as "just weeds" and disregarded; however, as you can see, they have medicinal value, not to mention the fact that because they flower, there is obviously a purpose for them concerning other living species such as, insects. A review of studies of silymarin and liver disease which are available on the web shows an interesting pattern in that studies which tested low dosages of silymarin concluded that silymarin was ineffective, while studies which used significantly larger doses concluded that silymarin was biologically active and had therapeutic effects. Research suggests that milk thistle extracts both prevent and repair damage to the liver from toxic chemicals and medications. Milk thistle can prevent Amanita mushroom poisoning damage if given within 48 hours. Other uses: Beside benefits for liver disease and treatment claims include: Used as a post (oral steroid) cycle therapy for body builders and/or in the hopes of reducing or eliminating liver damage. Lowering cholesterol levels. Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis. Reducing the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. Used in many products claiming to reduce the effects of a hangover. Used by individuals withdrawing from opiates, especially during the Acute Withdrawal Stage. Used by those taking oral steroids.