Anneke Laurens

Religion Revisited Anneke Laurens

Religion revisited: a crown of thorns explores the evolution of religion through the ages and focuses on its pitfalls and promises. The book emphasizes the dark side of religion which promotes in-group and out-group bias, prejudice, war, racism and personal enrichment instead of being a key driver of morality. It shows how religious leaders use religion to intelligently manipulate their followers by promising prosperity and eternal life. In addition to the five major religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism, there are 30,000 versions of Christianity and thousands of different sects or groups. This book highlights the diversity of religious beliefs and practices of some of these cults. The different currents are examined. The developments of the most "sadly" famous churches are described, but also others that are less well known but equally toxic. Essayists and researchers will find this thesis an invaluable source of rigorously documented information.