The key ideas

God Is Not One

Stephen Prothero, 2010

People say that all religions are different paths up the same mountain. Religion scholar Stephen Prothero believes there are several mountains. He asks the eight religions he considers the most influential, and atheism, the same four questions and shows that they diagnose the basic human problem itself differently. A respectful guide to the differences, with no verdict on which faith is better.

Who it is for

For anyone who wants to better understand neighbors, colleagues and the news in a world where faith still shapes so much, whatever your own views on faith may be.

What we need on this furiously religious planet is a realistic view of where religious rivals clash and where they can cooperate.

What the book is about

There is a comforting phrase: all religions are just different paths up the same mountain. It sounds peaceful and respectful. Stephen Prothero, a professor of religion at Boston University, considers it a beautiful mistake. In his view, religions climb different mountains.

Why argue with a kind phrase? Prothero is convinced that without understanding the differences, it is hard to understand a world where faith still shapes so much.

He goes through the eight religions that, by his assessment, influence the world most, and adds a short chapter on atheism. A fair caveat up front: this is the author's own scheme, not a generally accepted classification in religious studies. Any scheme simplifies the living faith of millions of people, so what follows is the author's view, with no verdict on which faith is better.

Idea 1. One mountain or many

Prothero argues with well-known authors, such as Huston Smith and Karen Armstrong, who stress that deep down religions are saying the same thing. He agrees that in ethics they largely converge. But in doctrine, ritual, sacred stories and law, in his view, they diverge, sometimes sharply.

To see the differences, he asks each religion four questions. What does it see as the central human problem? What solution does it offer? Through what practices does one move toward it? And who shows this path in real life? In short: problem, solution, technique and exemplar. Prothero's model is the key to all the chapters that follow.

Two people argue about a treatment without noticing that one is treating a cold and the other a broken bone. This is a Livria analogy: an argument about the method sometimes turns out to be an argument about different diagnoses.

Comparing religions can become clearer if you start by asking what problem each one considers central. Then the differences come into view before anyone argues about who is right.

Read in Livria

About the author

Stephen Prothero is an American scholar of religion and a professor at Boston University, where he chaired the Department of Religion. He is the author of the book “Religious Literacy”.

All books by this author: Stephen Prothero

Terms from the book

  • Samsara
  • Prothero's model: The author's own scheme, not a generally accepted classification in religious studies: he describes each religion through four questions, namely problem, solution, technique and exemplar.
  • Five Pillars: The core practices of Islam: the profession of faith (shahada), prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).
  • Moksha: In Hinduism, liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
  • Bodhisattva: In Mahayana Buddhism, someone who strives for awakening for the good of all living beings.
  • Orisha: The deities of the Yoruba religion and of the traditions that grew out of it in the diasporas.

All terms

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