PRESS RELEASE: Lionel Blue praises new book challenging atheism as “outstanding”
Added about 13 years ago by Sacristy Press
Durham, UK (23rd March 2012) – Sacristy Press, a newly-formed independent publisher, has released Faith in the Age of Science in which Mark Silversides, a former Church of England vicar, now a new media consultant, tackles one of the most challenging questions of our day: can we have faith in the age of science? The book provides a rational, thoughtful, and careful examination of whether, in an age dictated by the logical and rational, there is still room for God.
Rabbi Lionel Blue, much loved for his appearances on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day programme, said, “It is an outstanding book, and a much needed one, presenting a reasoned response to atheism. Appreciating the great scientific advances of our time and their religious components, the book is user friendly, even to readers who are not trained scientists. Mindbending terms and maths are explained clearly as far as such can be, and the judgements feel fair not partisan. I recommend it to my students and colleagues for reading, studying and underlining—my special accolade. I found it hard to put down.”
Mark Silversides was inspired to defend his reasoned approach to faith by the writings of Richard Dawkins. “Having been so broadly involved in the Christian religion, I think it was especially obvious to me that Dawkins’ great condemnations apply only to a minority of religious believers. I felt indignant that someone who clearly has not experienced religion ‘from the inside’ could be so condemnatory of all faith, in such a cavalier manner. Dawkins acknowledges non-extreme religion in passing, but gives it little credence. It seems at times that he focuses on extremes in order to avoid considering the more normal kind of faith that so many people actually follow.”
Thomas Ball, Commercial Director, said, “Silversides’ critical work comes at a time when religion and secularism are being debated very publically and often very confrontationally. Recent court decisions, a controversial speech by the Prime Minister in which he declared that Britain is a ‘Christian country’, a long-anticipated debate between Richard Dawkins and the Archbishop of Canterbury, and recent scientific advances, have aroused public and political interest; Faith in the Age of Science does not shy away from this. As with our previous release, Stir Up, O Lord, which was published to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer, Faith in the Age of Science could not be more timely.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- Enquiries, including interview requests, should be addressed to Thomas Ball, Commercial Director (thomas.ball@sacristy.co.uk).
- Review copies of Faith in the Age of Science and Stir Up, O Lord are available on request. Please email Richard Hilton (richard.hilton@sacristy.co.uk) providing details of the publication or media outlet in which the review will appear, and your full postal address.
- Faith in the Age of Science is available as a paperback (via www.sacristy.co.uk, ISBN 978-1-908381-04-0) and as an e-book (Kindle, iTunes, Kobo, WHSmith, and others).
- Sacristy Press (www.sacristy.co.uk) was founded in 2011 to publish theological and historical titles, both fiction and non-fiction. It is based in the historic academic city of Durham in North East England.
- An interview with the author of Faith in the Age of Science is available at www.sacristy.co.uk/blog/2012/author-interview-mark-silversides.
- Cameron’s speech commemorating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible can be found at www.number10.gov.uk/news/king-james-bible/. The debate between Rowan Williams and Richard Dawkins can be watched at youtu.be/bow4nnh1Wv0.
Please note: Sacristy Press does not necessarily share or endorse the views of the guest contributors to this blog.