Introduction 1. Finite Earthly Time Undesirability of Timeless Life Illusion of Ultimate Timeless Existence Hägglund's Contrast of Religious and Secular Perspectives Problems with the Idea of an Everlasting Afterlife Conclusion 2. Fallible Human Knowledge Fallibility of Human Claims to Truth Unknowability of Future Beliefs Dangers of Claims to Infallible Religious Beliefs Inevitable and Desirable Religious Diversity Conclusion 3. Science, Secularity, and Religion Religion's Indebtedness to the Sciences Limitations of the Sciences Two Conceptions of Science Conclusion 4. Ambiguities of Nature Inanimate Nature Nonhuman Animate Nature The Human Side of Nature Religious Affirmation of Nature Conclusion 5. An Urgent Common Cause A Monotheistic Response A Buddhist Response Scientific Responses Prudential Responses Moral Responses Aesthetic Responses Conclusion 6. Characterizing Religion Tillich on the Narrower and Larger Concepts of Religion Schilbrack's Analysis of Definitions of Religion Religion and Ontology Conclusion 7. Reconciling the Sacred with the Secular Religious and Secular Views of Reality Earlier Meanings of the Term Secular Concept of the Secular State Need for Religious and Secular Dialogue The Virtue of Humility Conclusion 8.

Western Theism and Ontological Sacredness From Radical Transcendence to Radical Immanence: Diana Bass's Journey of Faith The Sacredness of Nature Without God: Chet Raymo's Religious Naturalism Theism, Naturalism, and the Sacred Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index.