Positioning contemporary Deism as the Golden Mean between atheist-materialist Darwinism and religious fundamentalism, Beth Houston convincingly argues that exquisitely designed Creation categorically necessitates a transcending Intelligent Designer that is immanently engaged in the perpetual process of creating novelty sustained within the secure margins of natural laws. To clear the way for new Deism, Houston’s explication, sprinkled with satire, demystifies Charles Darwin and deconstructs Darwinism/neo-Darwinism on the one hand, and on the other continues her demolition of biblical literalism with an incisive critique of the modern quest for the historical Jesus. To stress her point that embracing truth is imperative for our survival, Houston delineates dangers of both Darwinian and fundamentalist myths and superstitions, exposing how separately and together they perpetuate dangerous elitist agendas that range from exploitation and war instigated by corporate oligarchs to misogynist/homophobic gang rape and other expressions of bigotry. As a counterpoint to her analysis of brute selfishness, Houston affirms Nature’s practical and spiritual benefits and challenges us to protect our life, liberty, happiness, and truth by contributing to authentic democracy, environmental stewardship, and nurturance of our creative, spiritual, and ethical sensibilities. Houston represents a version of Deism rooted in common sense, which she defines as the consensus of all our faculties, including reason, conscience, intuition, experience, volition, and the aesthetic. Unlike some Deists writing today, Houston affirms aspects of religion untainted by greed and hubris that express humanity’s natural desire for God, truth, and the Good. Deism reveres the Creator of Nature, the Natural God, whose truth and spiritual Presence, independent of priestly mediation, are democratically available to all. "Readers will enjoy this well-written book... [and] will find much in Houston's book that is instructive and thought provoking." -- Israel Drazin, Top Contributor, TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE "This is a worthwhile book, and very well written. It is one of those books that some people would like to read just because it is so well written."-- Verified Purchaser "Readers will enjoy this well-written book...[and] will find much in Houston's book that is instructive and thought provoking." -- Israel Drazin, Top Contributor, TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE "I read this most excellent book twice. The first time rendered so many ideas and so many truly profound thoughts, that, as soon as I finished it, I went to the first page and began again. The second read was as brilliant as the first. Clear, beautiful prose. Fascinating ideas." -- Martina Newberry "I would highly recommend Beth Houston's latest book, Natural God: Deism in the Age of Intelligent Design to all readers who seek the Good God of sound reason. Her easy to read but masterful book will provide you with insight typically overlooked in today's world where bible pounders and stuffy scientists keep alive mythical gods of the past." -- Regis Schilken: "If you are the type of person who likes to see the claims of the self-appointed 'authorities' of society critiqued, then this book is for you.... The critique of Darwinian evolution presented here is a very good one: I learned some very interesting things about Darwin I had never read before that alone were worth the price of the book....This is a worthwhile book, and very well written. It is one of those books that some people would like to read just because it is so well written." - Verified Purchaser Beth Houston, MFA, has taught creative writing, literature,and composition at ten colleges and universities in California andFlorida and has worked as a writer and editor. Her publications includesix poetry books, three nonfiction books, a novel, and overtwo-hundred works in literary and professional journals. She also editedthe poetry anthology Extreme Sonnets. paperback book