Reading Some New World through Naturalistic or Religious Eyes

Peter Harrison has gone to great lengths in Some New World to uncover the oft-concealed origins of naturalism and its attendant understanding of religion. In this response paper I draw out what I take to be some of the lessons of Harrison's book for those who are committed to some form of the secular naturalism whose history it traces. I also ponder some of the potential readings of and reactions to the book from those who are committed to some form of Christianity, out of which modern naturalism (so Harrison argues) emerged. These reflections are an invitation to its author to elaborate further on what he thinks the implications of the book should be.