William T. Cavanaugh is a professor of Catholic studies and political theology at DePaul University. In this conversation, we delve into the arguments he presents in his latest book, The Uses of Idolatry.

In contemporary religious discussions, idolatry is often overlooked. The prevailing belief is that everyone should live according to their own faith without categorizing religions as true or false. However, in his fascinating new book, Professor Cavanaugh elucidates how idolatry can be a very useful concept for analyzing contemporary society and for challenging the taken-for-granted boundaries between “the religious” and “the secular.” In so doing, he unites many of the themes he has explored in his previous works into a coherent, overarching argument.

Together, we discuss how modernity has filled “the God-shaped hole” with the gods of nationalism and consumerism, revealing that we are not disenchanted at all but rather dominated by the gods of our own making.

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For more on prof. Cavanaugh's book:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-uses-of-idolatry-9780197679043

For the previous conversation with William Cavanaugh see the episode on Religion, violence, secularism and spirituality

Re-visioning Religion is hosted by Jonas Atlas
jonasatlas.net