Good and Bad Religion

The book explores the dual nature of religion, highlighting its potential for both positive and negative impacts on individuals and societies. Peter Vardy offers criteria to distinguish between beneficial and harmful religious expressions, emphasizing the importance of human rights as outlined in United Nations declarations. He draws on philosophical perspectives from both Western and Eastern traditions to argue for a shared human nature, asserting that certain religious attitudes and behaviors can be deeply damaging. This critical evaluation is particularly relevant in the post-9/11 context.