In this book, the notion of life-belief is used as way of reconciling religion with science and the modern world. It emphasises the need to believe in life more than in any other belief. This view does not threaten religion but only attacks the most extreme applications of religion. It is religious extremism which is objectionable and not religion as such. The various religions must take their respective places in society and be tolerant of other beliefs and faiths. Religious people need to understand what atheists and humanists are saying and respect their right to hold such beliefs. Above all, they must acknowledge the benefits of science to humanity. Life-belief is therefore about believing in what science is telling us about life. Realistically, it means assuming: (1) that purpose only exists in the universe because of the purposefulness of life forms, (2) that life emerged on Earth through natural processes, and (3) that we come out of nothing at birth and return to nothing at death. What lies between birth and death is our 'life' which we free to make as much or as little of as we can or wish. Part Two deals with such presuppositions in more detail. The importance of life-belief for religion is promoted here. It provides a focal point that disciplines all religions (and, indeed, ideologies) in relation to the needs of life and humanity. In that way, humanity can move forward in unison instead of being torn apart by dissension and disharmony, not to mention war, conflict and hatred.
A distinct religion is not intended here, as there are already enough religions around. It is a way to bring religions together for the benefit of humanity as a whole. It is about broadening minds with an additional way of looking at religion and its role in society. We can all believe in life but religions in the past have not always put much value on human life. Thus, life-belief is about valuing everyone's life regardless of their religious persuasions, which is basically the humanist position.
Life-belief does not mean making more of life than it really is. Life is not being divinised or given a spiritual or platonic existence. Belief in life is personal to each of us. It is an extreme view to abstract the idea of life from our personal affairs as is done, for example, by anti-abortionists (see page 6 for more on that). Believing in life is about the living of it and not the deification of it. A philosophy of living is intended by this book.
