📚 No cover available

Quasi-religions

By John Edwin Smith

Book Description

In an era where traditional religious frameworks have weakened their hold on modern consciousness, philosopher John Edwin Smith examines how secular movements have stepped in to fill the spiritual void. This thoughtful analysis explores three influential ideologies that have captured human devotion with the intensity once reserved for divine worship.

Smith investigates how Humanism, Marxism, and Nationalism function as substitute religions, each elevating finite concepts to positions of ultimate significance. He reveals how secular Humanism places humanity itself at the center of existence, while Marxist ideology transforms the vision of a classless society into an absolute truth worthy of total commitment. Similarly, Nationalism converts ordinary patriotism into a sacred mission that demands unwavering loyalty to the state.

Drawing from the experiences of notable intellectuals like Arthur Koestler and others who embraced and later rejected Communist ideals, Smith demonstrates how these quasi-religious movements attract followers through their promise of meaning and purpose. Yet he argues that each represents a form of modern idolatry, substituting limited human constructs for transcendent truth.

Writing from a Biblical perspective, Smith challenges readers to recognize the spiritual dangers inherent in absolutizing the finite. His examination offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how secular ideologies can assume religious characteristics and why traditional faith traditions view such movements as fundamentally misguided attempts to find ultimate meaning in temporal concerns.