Natural : how faith in nature's goodness leads to harmful fads, unjust laws, and flawed science
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The widespread confusion of Nature with God and "natural" with holy has far-reaching negative consequences, from misinformation about everyday food and health choices to mistaken justifications of sexism, racism, and flawed economic policies"--,Provided by publisher.

Many people love what's "natural": they say it is the best way to eat, to parent, even to act-- naturally, just as nature intended. Levinovitz demonstrates that "natural goodness" is not objective or scientific. These beliefs are actually religious and highlights the many dangers of substituting simple myths for complicated realities. It can lead to condemnations of 'unnatural' sexual activity; guilt from not having a 'natural' birth. He provides a perspective that shatters faith in Nature's goodness. We can love nature without worshipping it, and we can work toward a better world with humility and dialogue rather than taboos and zealotry. -- adapted from jacket