James Thrower Explained

James Arthur Thrower (1936–1999)^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} was an academic and writer on religion.

After studying at the University of Durham (BA Theology)^[5] and University of Oxford (Philosophy),^[6] he lectured at the University of Leicester, University of Ghana, and University of Durham.^[7] He became a lecturer in religion at the University of Aberdeen in 1970.^[6] His PhD thesis there in 1981 was on Marxist-Leninist 'Scientific Atheism' and the Study of Religion and Atheism in the USSR.^[1] He worked as a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Helsinki, Leningrad and Warsaw.^[8] He later became Professor of the History of Religions and Director of the Centre for Study of Religions at Aberdeen. His works include A Short History of Western Atheism (1971), The Alternative Tradition (1981)^[6] and Religion: The Classical Theories (1999).^[9] In 1996 he wrote the foreword for Steuart Campbell's work The Rise and Fall of Jesus, which examines the Jesus myth and the origins of Christianity. It suggests that Jesus wanted to be crucified.^[10] He died suddenly on 14 November 1999,^[11] and his wife, Judith, died in 2016.^[12] They had three children, Penelope, Charlotte and Annabel.^[13]

Reza Aslan used Thrower as an example of someone who thought that atheism was a belief system in its own right and not just a negation of belief.^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dissertation Notices. 25 October 2017.
2. Web site: Academic Author: Thrower, James. 22 October 2017.
3. Religious studies in Scotland: A persistent tension with divinity. Religion. 36. 1–28. 10.1016/j.religion.2005.12.001. 2006. Cox. James L.. Sutcliffe. Steven J.. free.
4. Web site: Thrower, James (1936-) - People and organisations - Trove. 24 October 2017.
5. Results of Final Examinations held in June 1958 . Durham University Gazette . November 1957 . 5 (New series) . 1 . 106 . 5 February 2020.
6. Book: Clarke. Paul A. B. . Linzey. Andrew . Dictionary of Ethics, Theology and Society. 2013. Routledge. 9781136121005. 29.
7. Book: Berner. Ulrich. Bochinger. Christoph. European Traditions in the Study of Religion in Africa. 2004. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. 9783447050029. 258.
8. Book: Thrower, James. The Alternative Tradition: Religion and the Rejection of Religion in the Ancient World. Religion and society. 18. 1980. Walter de Gruyter. 9789027979971. 291.
9. Web site: Religion - Edinburgh University Press. 22 October 2017.
10. Book: Campbell, Steuart . The Rise and Fall of Jesus . 0 . 1996 . Explicit Books . 978-0952151210.
11. News: Death notices. 18 November 1999. Aberdeen Press and Journal.
12. News: Family Announcements, THROWER - Deaths - Announcements. 22 April 2016. Aberdeen Press and Journal. 25 October 2017.
13. Book: Thrower, James . Marxist-Leninist 'Scientific Atheism' and the Study of Religion and Atheism in the USSR. 1983. Walter de Gruyter. 9783110838589. Dedication.
14. Web site: Reza Aslan: Sam Harris and "New Atheists" aren't new, aren't even atheists - Salon.com. Aslan. Reza. 21 November 2014. Salon. 28 November 2017.