A debut nonfiction work surveys religious justifications for violence.

Taking aim squarely at “extremists who are unconstrained by scientific evidence,” Sibilla examines the history of religious justifications for violence. The volume begins with a discussion of how religion emerged as a byproduct of evolutionary biology when early humans “artistically manipulated symbols” into “allegories like thunder as God walking on the solid clouds.” And while subsequent chapters argue against the utility of theology, which the work suggests is based on “magic logic,” Sibilla urges pious readers to recognize the historical context in which their sacred Scriptures are written. Focusing particularly on Abrahamic religions, the book notes that readers must refrain from relying on works that are often poorly translated, use allegories and symbols with specific cultural meanings from thousands of years ago, and are by their very nature hyperbolic. Indeed, much to the author’s lament, despite countless verses in the Christian Bible and the Quran that point toward peace, the history of religion, per his convincing account, chronicles intolerance, violence, and oppression. While careful not to single out any specific theology, the work urges readers to view the themes that unite the world’s largest religions, and the ways in which spiritual bureaucracies and political leaders have leaned toward violence or illogical disinformation. Dedicated to John Rafferty, the former president of the Secular Humanist Society of New York, this volume argues that the “intelligent cosmos” is actually “us,” and calls for the greater use of scientifically informed decisions in social engineering and policy making. While its belief in the fundamental benevolence of science may not ring true to all readers, the work offers a viable alternative to religious divisions that lead to violence and discriminatory public policy outcomes. Having studied theology in the Roman Catholic higher education system of Argentina, Sibilla has a firm grasp of religious ideologies. The book’s astute analysis is made accessible to general readers with an engaging writing style that is accompanied by impressive interdisciplinary research and an eight-page bibliography.

An acerbic, well-argued case against the undue influence of religion in public life.