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Religion and Reality
An Exploration of Contemporary Metaphysical Systems, Theologies, and Religious Pluralism
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
This book argues for the reality of multiple religious ultimates rather than just one. This entails that all the religions are not the same; they describe different religious objects, and they each provide unique forms of salvation. The immediate advantage of this approach is that it explains how all religions are equally valid without glossing over the real differences that define them. Put differently, each religion has correctly identified a piece of the puzzle that makes up Ultimate Reality.
There is, however, a limit to the plurality, and thus five distinct religious ultimates are identified: the Forms, God, A World, Creativity, and the Receptacle. One or two of these five ultimates are found within all of the world's religions, as evidenced by religious scriptures and religious experiences. Based upon these five religious ultimates, this book puts forth a novel philosophical and religious system: cosmosyntheism, a word emphasizing the likelihood that in the beginning, there was more than just God. Quite possibly, there may have been five ultimates, each sacred in its own way, none of which could have existed without the reality of the others.
Darren Iammarino received his PhD in philosophy of religion from Claremont Graduate University. He has focused the previous twelve years of his research on integrating and synthesizing the central concepts of the world's religions and philosophical movements. In 2010 Iammarino joined the faculty at San Diego State University, teaching within two departments: religious studies, and classics and humanities. Since then he has published multiple-peer-reviewed journal articles within the fields of religion and philosophy.
"This book addresses the problem of conflicting religious truth claims in an increasingly secular and pluralistic world. Iammarino provides a convincing theoretical argument that uses pluralistic metaphysics to account for the reality in which we live. This is a reality that has emerged out of a complex web of interconnections and mutually supporting relationships. . . . Although his argument is sophisticated, Iammarino takes the reader through complicated ideas and propositions in a readable, step-by-step manner."
--Rebecca Moore, Department of Religious Studies, San Diego State University
"Dr. Iammarino has formulated an inclusive vision of reality that is thoroughly philosophical but also takes seriously the variety of religious experience and conviction. He shows how his overarching theory makes room for the fundamental truth of diverse religious traditions."
--John Cobb Jr.,
Founder of the Center for Process Studies