Books by Professor Douglas (University of Cambridge Hedley

Religious belief requires imaginative engagement. If this is not to be confused with fantasy or wish fulfilment, we need some account of how the imagination can be used through images of salvation: symbols and sacred narratives. This book argues that the concept of imagination must play a core role in an anti-reductionist account.

Despisers of religion have poured scorn upon the idea of sacrifice as an index of the irrational and wicked in religious practice. One need only think of the appalling cult of sacrifice in numerous totalitarian regimes of the 20th century. Yet sacrifice remains a part of our cultural 'imaginary'. This book explores the idea of sacrifice.