Truth Claims in a Post-Truth World: Faith, Fact and Fakery

This book examines the sociological critique of religious faith, illiberalism, and anti-secularism from a macro perspective, arguing that much religious faith is fundamentally incompatible with a twenty-first-century society that seeks inclusive, utilitarian, and humanistic principles. It explores the effects of organized religions' decline in modern Western contexts and the re-emergence of faith-based and other non-evidentiary perspectives. It concludes that religious beliefs and other forms of dogmatism are underpinned by powerful, influential, and potentially dangerous ideological structures and that viable, secular alternatives to faith teachings should be nurtured in their place.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Drawing on a wide range of debates from various disciplines, this book delves into the complexities of offering a genuine sociological critique of religious faith, illiberalism, and anti-secularism from a macro perspective. The author argues that sociology, as a discipline concerned with real-world social issues, should play a central role in analyzing religious power and legitimacy. They contend that much religious faith is fundamentally incompatible with any twenty-first-century society that aspires to inclusive, utilitarian, and humanistic principles.

The book explores the effects of the overall decline of organized religions in modern Western contexts, while also addressing the troubling re-emergence or persistence of faith-based and other non-evidentiary perspectives through discussions around identity politics, postmodernism, and multiculturalism. Through an analysis of the rise of irrational thinking in our politics and society, the book concludes that religious beliefs and other forms of dogmatism are underpinned by powerful, influential, and potentially dangerous ideological structures at various levels of society. It suggests that viable, secular alternatives to faith teachings should be nurtured in their place.

Truth Claims in a Post-Truth World is a valuable resource for scholars of sociology, social theory, philosophy, religion, political thought, ethics, and civil society. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary societies as they navigate the complex terrain of religious faith, illiberalism, and anti-secularism. By engaging with a multi-disciplinary perspective, the book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the role of religion in modern society and the need for secular alternatives to faith teachings.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367484538