This book presents two basic arguments: 1) that there is additional life following our physical death -- for both saints and sinners -- and that the transfer from our current life to an afterlife occurs by way of minute sub-atomic particles which are part of our brains (and will ultimately be identified); and 2) that while there may be a 'universal intelligence' and/or a 'force for good' influencing mankind, there is no personal, loving God as many of us have been taught to believe.

The study of Augustine's political teachings has suffered from a history of misreadings, both ancient and modern. It is only in recent years that the traditional lines of "Augustinian pessimism" have been opened to question. Scholars have begun to explore the broader lines of Augustine's political thought in his letters and sermons, and thus have been able to place his classic text, The City of God, in its proper context. The essays in this volume take stock of these recent develo...