The Stream

Our need to humanise God. A conversation with Reza Aslan

Author, commentator and religious scholar on his latest book, “God: A Human History”

As a young adult, Reza Aslan was greatly inspired by a quote from the German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach in his book “The Essence of Christianity (1854)”: “Only a being who comprises in himself the whole man can satisfy the whole man.” Aslan subsequently spent much of his adult life studying the world’s religions.

In his latest book, “God: A Human History” Reza Aslan studies why we have a need to humanise God, and our brain is hardwired to do so. He explores why people, of all faiths, have a compulsion to see God as a divine version of ourselves, as a human being, but with superpowers. Aslan studies this tendency through history, early writing and stories in religious text.

In our show with Aslan, we’ll discuss the book, his research  … and his opinions on US politics. Join in with your questions and comments at 1930GMT.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Reza Aslan @rezaaslan
Author, “God: A Human History”
rezaaslan.com

Rachel Newcomb @rachelnewcomb
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Rollins College

Tyrone Beason @tyrone_beason
Reporter, Pacific NW Magazine
 

Read more:

Why we made God in our own image – Washington Post
The dangerous cult of Donald Trump – LA Times 

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.