The New Holy Wars: Economic Religion VS. Environmental Religion in Contemporary America

by Nelson, Robert H.

• ISBN13: 9780271035826
• ISBN10: 027103582X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-08-31
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State Univ Pr

Summary

The present debate raging over global warming exemplifies the clash of two public theologies. On one side, environmentalists warn of certain catastrophe if we do not take steps now to reduce the release of greenhouse gases; on the other side, economists are concerned with whether the benefits of actions to prevent higher temperatures will be worth the high costs. Robert Nelson interprets such contemporary struggles as battles between the competing secularized religions of economics and environmentalism. The outcome will have momentous consequences for us all. This book probes beneath the surface of the two movements' rhetoric to uncover their fundamental theological commitments and visions. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Robert H. Nelson is Professor at the School of Public Policy of the University of Maryland and a Senior Fellow of The Independent Institute. Among his previous books is Economics as Religion: From Samuelson to Chicago and Beyond (Penn State, 2001).

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xxiii
Introduction: Economic and Environmental Religions	p. 1
The False God of Economic Salvation	p. 19
What Is "Economic Theology"?	p. 23
Theologies of 9/11	p. 42
How Much Is God Worth?	p. 58
Sustainability, Efficiency, and God	p. 70
All in the Name of Progress	p. 87
Environmental Calvinism	p. 103
Unoriginal Sin	p. 112
Calvinism Minus God	p. 131
Environmental Creationism	p. 161
Ecological Science as a Creation Story	p. 170
Environmental Creationism and Christian Creationism	p. 197
Re-creating the Creation	p. 220
Environmental Colonialism: "Saving" Africa from Africans	p. 257
Environmentalism and Libertarianism	p. 277
Frank Knight and Economic Calvinism	p. 282
Libertarian Environmentalism	p. 303
Conclusion: Religious Challenges	p. 332
Notes	p. 351
Index	p. 379
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