Beyond Gods And Scriptures: Religion Can Unite Humanity and Not Divide Us

Religion has been the biggest divisive force in history.

This book examines the irrational and harmful beliefs of religious people, which lead to religion becoming a destructive force.

Religion can be and has been a force for good too. What are the aspects of religion that make it meaningful?

Does God exist? The book details the scientific and philosophical arguments adduced for God’s existence and how valid they are.

In the last section, we look at five luminaries of science who either had close encounters with religious establishments or had strong views on religion and God. We look at the lives of Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein and Hawking, not so much as scientists, but as human beings with their own kinks and idiosyncrasies.

The author brings to this book his extensive knowledge of physics, philosophy, religion and the behavioural sciences.

Joseph Mani was born in a village in Kerala where he had all his schooling in the vernacular medium. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Physics from Gujarat University and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. He has also done studies in philosophy, religion, literature and linguistics.

For twenty-seven years, he worked in five different companies in the area of HR and Training. His last three assignments were as GM - EID Parry, Group VP - Arvind Mills and Director - MRF Tyres. After taking premature retirement from MRF, he is now a professor of management, consultant, trainer and career counselor.

Mani has conducted a large number of workshops and seminars on human relations for persons ranging from school teachers, Catholic priests to CEOs.

He has had specialized training in the US on the MBTI and has done extensive work in India using the MBTI, which he has administered, and has given feedback to more than thirty thousand people from all walks of life.

Mani has conducted two Certification Workshops at Chennai to certify MBTI assessors. The workshops were organized by the Academy of Human Resources Development, Ahmedabad. Participants of these workshops were senior corporate executives and management faculty.

Mani and his wife, Mary, have a daughter and a son and live in Chennai, India.

He can be contacted at manijoseph3@gmail.com