Religion and Atheism in Dialogue: Doing Difference Differently

The divide in our societies between those who are religious and those who are not is becoming increasingly apparent in many areas of contemporary life. This fascinating book, based on conversations between religious and nonreligious participants, asks if societies divided on such fundamental questions can nonetheless find some common ground.

A rich array of topics is explored, including the linguistic complexities of using the concept of ‘God’, the relation between science and religion, the ethics of altruistic concern, sexuality and gender roles, and the possibility of shedding light on important positions often taken to be intractable or nonnegotiable. In addition, topics of a more reflective nature, but also prone to polarise, are also examined, such as spiritual experience and practice, mindfulness, the arts, and the nature of human consciousness.

Religion and Atheism in Dialogue will interest anyone who is concerned about the current tensions and even conflicts exhibited between religious and secular positions on a range of key issues, and how it might be possible to move beyond them. It will also be of interest to students of ethics, philosophy of religion, and religious studies and all those who are concerned to explore how better dialogue across differences might be possible.

Anthony J. Carroll is a philosopher, theologian, and parish priest in Andalusia, Spain. His previous books include Protestant Modernity: Weber, Secularisation and Protestantism; Il Giardiniere Invisibile: Credere, Non Credere, Cercare; and most recently A History of Philosophy: The Condensed Copleston. He was co-editor with Richard Norman of Religion and Atheism: Beyond the Divide (Routledge, 2016).

Richard Norman is Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Kent and a Patron of Humanists UK. His books include On Humanism (Routledge, second edition, 2012), Understanding Humanism (with Andrew Copson and Luke Donnellan; Routledge, 2022), and What Is Humanism For? (2025).