For the Glory of God

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Rodney Stark's provocative work argues that our modern culture has been shaped by people acting for the glory of God. He explores the widespread consequences of monotheism, demonstrating how the Christian conception of God led to pivotal events such as the Protestant Reformation, the rise of modern science, the European witch-hunts, and the Western abolition of slavery. Stark explains the different cultural outcomes of Christian and Islamic images of God, highlighting why Christians fostered science, engaged in witch-hunts, and denounced slavery, while Muslims did not. He attributes these phenomena to the pressures within monotheistic organizations that maintain religious intensity, resulting in conflicts and schisms with significant social implications. Stark challenges commonly held beliefs, presenting the sixteenth-century scientific advancement not as a sudden break from religion but as a gradual evolution from medieval theology. He also links the same ideas about God that spurred scientific progress to the intense witch-hunting in Europe, even among notable scientists. Furthermore, he reveals that the Christian condemnation of slavery was intertwined with the fervor of some of the most zealous witch-hunters, who were also key figures in abolitionist movements. This narrative reshapes our understanding of religion's historical role and the forces behind what we consider secular progress.