Shuddering Dawn, A: Religious Studies and the Nuclear Age

Exploring the symbolic meanings of the Bomb, this book excavates the "depth dimension" of the nuclear age. Rather than adding to the many ethical commentaries asking whether or not there should be nuclear weapons, the authors ask why there are nuclear weapons and a continuing arms race. They also address the kinds of symbolic changes that must occur in order to reverse the build-up of nuclear weapons. The authors approach these questions from the perspective of academic research, not from particular faith commitments, asking the reader to envision different human responses to this technology, human stances that can be illuminated by the creative insight of religious studies.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Ninian Smart Acknowledgments Introduction Ira Chernus and Edward Tabor Linenthal Part I. History of Religions Nuclear Images in the Popular Press: The Age of Apocalypse Ira Chernus War and Sacrifice in the Nuclear Age: The Committee on the Present Danger and the Renewal of Martial Enthusiasm Edward Tabor Linenthal Nuclear Images in the Popular Press: From Apocalypse to Static Balance Ira Chernus Part II. Sociology of Religion "I Am Death ... Who Shatters Worlds": The Emerging Nuclear Death Cult James A. Aho Performing the Nuclear Ceremony: The Arms Race as a Ritual Robert D. Benford and Lester R. Kurtz Part III. Psychology of Religion Growing Up in the Nuclear Age: Psychological Challenges and Spiritual Possibilities John McDargh The Nuclear Horror and the Hounding of Nature: Listening to Images Daniel C. Noel Part IV. Reflective Religious Thought Approaching Nuclearism as a Heresy G. Clarke Chapman God and Her Survival in a Nuclear Age Susan B. Thistlethwaite Doing the Truth: Peacemaking as Hopeful Activity Walter J. Noyalis Part V. Conclusion The Religious Dimensions of the Nuclear Age Ira Chernus and Edward Tabor Linenthal Notes Contributors

About the Author :
Ira Chernus is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Edward Tabor Linenthal is Professor of Religion and American Culture at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.

Review :
"Not much like this is available—work that examines the symbolic function of nuclearism. It stimulates fresh thinking in very important areas. I found myself, even while disagreeing with some viewpoints, thinking more deeply about many issues. Authors should be thanked when they achieve this." — Bernare Adeney, New College, Berkeley