New York, NY: Scott A. Shay’s new book In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism (Post Hill Press; 9/4/18) is an essential Abrahamic voice in the current debate about whether religion should play a role in today’s world. Like popular atheist authors, Yuval Harari (Sapiens and Homo Deus) and Steven Pinker (Enlightenment Now) Shay argues for reason, freedom, and human progress, but he powerfully rebuts their facile depiction of religion as irrational stories and superstitions. In stark contrast to Harari and Pinker, In Good Faith explains why religion and science have both been a force for good and evil. Co-Founder and Chairman of Signature Bank and a distinguished leader in the business world and Jewish community, Scott A. Shay delivers a new, thought provoking contribution to the field of ethics and religion.
In Good Faith is an accessible, but thoroughly researched rebuttal to the simplifications of the new atheists through a re-examination of the relationship between faith, reason, and ethics. Shay draws mainly on his Jewish perspective but the book is enhanced by in-depth discussions of global religious traditions and explorations of psychology, history, and philosophy with Christian, Muslim, and Jewish clergy and scholars.
In Good Faith argues that atheists and believing Christians, Muslims, and Jews actually share a commitment to reason and moral progress. As Shay writes, faith in anything that is not rational is faith in lies, what Abrahamic religions call idolatry. Exploring this often misunderstood concept, In Good Faith offers an ethics for the 21st century for people of all persuasions.
In Good Faith also addresses why atheist critiques of religion cannot be ignored. Many find atheist critiques of religion both compelling and wrong, but at the same time realize that religion can both be inspiring and distressing. In Good Faith explains these apparent contradictions with fresh and startling arguments by analyzing the often neglected but revolutionary idea of idolatry.
In Good Faith argues that the concept of idolatry is the central philosophical and ethical contribution of the Hebrew, Christian and Islamic texts. Idolatry, defined by Abrahamic faiths as lies about power and authority, can still serve as a wide-reaching category of intellectual, social, political, and economic critique for religious and secular people alike. Shay writes that pursuing truth and upholding justice require the prohibition against idolatry, whether one believes in God or not. Shay explores how faith in God is different than idolatry and demonstrates that atheist critiques of religion often highlight where religions become idolatrous.
In Good Faith will also interest readers of Robert Wright’s, Why Buddhism is True, who seek a similarly psychological, physiological, and philosophical approach to the major Abrahamic religions. Likewise Shay’s book will entice readers of Reza Aslan’s God a Human History who are looking to understand what religion is and how it has bettered the world.
In Good Faith asks, and answers questions like:
- Why does the atheist claim that religion is irrational and immoral seem both compelling and wrong?
- What do we make of religion’s confusing role in history?
- Is religion truly compatible with reason and science?
- Is reason by definition moral?
- Is the Bible true or not and how can we know?
What is the Abrahamic concept of idolatry and why should anyone care?
In addition to contributing to the ongoing conversations about contemporary ethics, In Good Faith is an important resource for those who want to understand why the Bible is still a relevant text for moderns and that an honest appraisal of biblical text reveals a document that offers wisdom and insights to readers of all persuasions. Shay doesn’t avoid unpleasant topics in the Bible; instead he takes them head on for a fair, careful, contextual reading and lays out its inspirational message and call to fight against injustices.
Believers and non-believers will be enriched by Shay’s exploration of faith, reason, and morality through the lens of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim teachings as well as non-Abrahamic religions, history, psychology, and philosophy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott A. Shay has had a successful business career spanning Wall Street, private equity, venture capital, and banking. He co-founded Signature Bank of New York and has served as its Chairman since its formation. He has been a provocative commentator on many financial issues, including among others, how the banking system should best function to help society, the implications of a cashless world, and tax reform. Scott called for the re-imposition of Glass-Steagall and breaking up the big banks at a TEDx talk at the NY Stock Exchange in 2012. Throughout his life, he has been a student of religion and how religion ought to apply to the world outside of the synagogue, church, or mosque. Having founded a Hebrew school, he has authored articles relating to the Jewish community and the best- selling Getting Our Groove Back: How to Energize American Jewry (Second Edition, Devora 2008).