225 Cristiani St
Cranford
New Jersey 07016
Guest speaker Dr. Hector A. Garcia is the author of Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression
Where does religious violence come from? The Abrahamic god is depicted as a powerful male with immense interest in territory, submission displays, and sexual control. These patterns mirror the fitness imperatives of male primates across our evolutionary history. In turn, scripture has gods commanding war, demanding submission, and requiring sexual obedience. Claiming male alliances with these gods, powerful men perpetrate violence and oppression. These ancient patterns highlight the essential role that evolutionary science can play in constructing more rational, and peaceable societies.
Hector Garcia is a clinical psychologist specializing in combat-related PTSD, and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has published extensively on the role of masculine psychology in the experience of war, the evolutionary psychology of PTSD, and the interplay of religion and psychopathology. His work has been featured in a TED talk with more than one million views.
More about Dr. Garcia:
Ted Talk
Psychology Today
Facebook
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We are pleased to coordinate this talk to be held at the American Atheists Center. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided and there will probably be a group dinner in the area after the program.
Dr. Garcia’s book will be available for sale and signing.