atheists: have you ever read "the end of faith" by sam harris?

Question

this book is scaring the crap out of me. seriously, what can be done about all these people that cling to their mythology?

i was up all night worrying about islam taking over the world.

Answer 1

Yes, I've read it -- very good book. Right now I'm reading Carl Sagan's, The Demon Haunted World, another excellent book.

You asked what can be done about the people that cling to their mythology. I would like to see more of us challenging theists to further educate themselves. We need to do this in a kind and non-threatening way. We will not win any converts by making fun of people or laughing at their beliefs. Encourage them to read books like the two above, and also suggest Bertrand Russell's essay, Why I am not a Christian; Mark Twain's, Letters from Earth and anything by Richard Dawkins or Stephen Hawking. At the same time, we should be knowledgeable about their religion and their history. I do hope that someday all religions will join the ranks of Greek mythology and be relegated to the history shelves. I think that people can learn to live peacefully, without fear of the unknown (death), and can wait for science to answer those things that are not yet understood.

To Paladin - Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add that to my reading list.

Answer 2

I am a Christain and thought it was a great book. He really breaks down the phenomenon of fundamentalism and irrational religious belief and how these beliefs affect the world in a negative way. It is a scarry book in some ways, but he is painting a worst case scenario - which is not likely to happen. I think the bigger issue are the more subtle issues of the faiths in question - how do they impact legislation in a negative way, how these beliefs lead to exclusion, harrassment and persecution, impeding scientific inquiry, destroying an already decaying education system, etc. Good question - read on and I think you'll find a little light at the end of the tunnel. Nice question.

Answer 3

To be perfectly honest, while a lot of the facts he states in the book are undeniable, his conclusions are sometimes completely off the mark. Harris is, in my opinion, an extremist who doesn't understand the value of separation of church and state and freedom of conscience any better than Pat Robertson. He seems to regard tolerance as the enemy of reason. I do not.

To Kathryn -- I loved Sagan's "Demon-Haunted World." If you haven't read it, try _Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors_ as well. Excellent.

Answer 4

have not examine Dawkins yet, yet propose this one: "The styles of medical journey: a private View of the quest for God" by Carl Sagan An edited version of his 1985 Gifford Lectures

Answer 5

I am waiting for Richard Dawkins latest book to come out "The God Delusion". The 2 TV programmes he did "The Root of Evil" really made me think!

Answer 6

No.