Includes bibliographical references (pages 168-172), discography and index

Acknowledgments. Introduction: Sisyphus, humanism, and the challenge of three. Section 1 Race : Racing humanism: two examples for context -- African Americans living li(f)e -- The ongoing challenge of race -- does race have a religion? On the "faith" of Du Bois. Section 2 Religion -- Nimrod is a hero... and God is a problem -- Humanism and the rethinking of a king's king -- Putting Jesus in his place -- Gathering the godless: intentional "communities" and ritualizing ordinary life. Section 3 Cultural production : Learning to be cool, or making due with what we do -- End of the "end:" humanism, hip-hop, and death -- Speaking in public: the problem of theistic language for collective life. Epilogue: Sisyphus's happiness. Notes. Bibliography. Index

Provides a much-needed humanities-based analysis and description of humanism in relation to theses cultural markers. Whereas most existing analysis attempts to explain humanism through the natural and social sciences (the "what" of life), Anthony B. Pinn explores humanism in relation to "how" life is arranged, socialized, ritualized, and framed. This ground-breaking publication brings together old and new essays on a wide range of topics and themes, from the African-American experience, to the development of humanist churches, and the lyrics of Jay-Z