Table of Contents

Preface Part I. Functions and Types of Religious Symbols 1. Symbols of Living Faith Introduction Back to the Pelican Some Types of Religious Symbolization Symbols of Evil Major and Minor Religious Symbols 2. Works of Art and Religious Symbolism Introduction Artistic Symbolization Similarities and Differences between Aesthetic and Religious Symbols Interrelations of Aesthetic and Religious Symbolizations 3. Master Religious Symbols Introduction Symbols of Religious Ultimates Cosmogonic and Cosmological Symbols Symbols of Religious Paths of Life and of Obstacles Lying in Their Way Symbols of Exemplary Human Lives 4. How Religious Symbols Work Introduction The Necessary Role of Religious Symbols Ways in Which Religious Symbols Function Doctrinal Expositions of Religious Symbols The Error of Literalism Part II. Symbols of Religion of Nature 5. Master Symbols of the Ultimacy of Nature and of its Cosmogonic and Cosmological Roles Introduction A Symbol of Religious Ultimacy of Nature A Cosmogonic and Cosmological Symbol for Religion of Nature 6. Master Symbols of the Saving Path of Life and of an Exemplary Traveler on the Path Introduction The Path and Its Obstacles and Misdirections An Exemplar of the Saving Path of Religion of Nature 7. The Truth of Religious Symbols Introduction Religious Symbols and Truth Secular Symbols and Truth 8. Symbols and Symbolic Practices for Religion of Nature Introduction Synecdoches Prayer and Meditation Rituals Symbols of Sacrifice and Self-Giving Other Symbols of Religion of Nature Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index

About the Author

Donald A. Crosby is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Colorado State University. He is the author of several books, including The Thou of Nature: Religious Naturalism and Reverence for Sentient Life; Faith and Reason: Their Roles in Religious and Secular Life; Living with Ambiguity: Religious Naturalism and the Menace of Evil; and A Religion of Nature, all published by SUNY Press.