and a lot about religion and philosophy. How many of these books have you read? If the answer is "none", why not? If you have read any of them, what are your comments?
The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan
Atheist Universe, David Mills
The Atheist Manifesto, Michel Onfrey
Why I Am Not A Christian, Bertrand Russell
The End of Faith, Sam Harris
Losing Faith in Faith, Dan Barker (former minister)
2007-05-22 17:37:57 · 22 answers · asked by Kathryn™ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Drink - Yes, I do recommend The God Delusion. I browsed through Letters to a Christian Nation when I was at the book store. It seemed to be well worth reading.
2007-05-22 17:44:32 · update #1
Drink - I also recommend Bertrand's, Why I am not a Christian.
2007-05-22 17:45:53 · update #2
U98 - The question is directed at all, not just Christians.
2007-05-22 17:47:37 · update #3
Tim - thanks for the car offer. How do I arrange to pick up the keys?
2007-05-22 17:49:57 · update #4
Trebor - I have two of Strobel's books. I find them to be quite tedious and sanctimonious. If it takes religion to keep Strobel sober, so be it.
2007-05-22 17:53:06 · update #5
right after you read all of C.S. Lewis' works.
Mere Christianity
The Abolition of Man
The Problem of Pain
The Screwtape Letters
The Weight of Glory
and of course the Chronicles of Narnia.
2007-05-22 17:51:12 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have read Sagan and bits of Russell. I have read some other books of Dawkins' and some Spinoza, who was no big fan of religion. Same with Ayn Rand. I've also read the Bible, the Koran, the Tao te Ching, the Dhammapada, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, parts of the Mahabharata and the writings of Mencius and Confucius, as well as Wittgenstein, C.S. Lewis' _Mere Christianity_ and some analyses of Immanuel Kant's writings, which are incredibly difficult to understand even in English.
My own reaction is that the books in your list are "OK", and make many well argued and valid points, but are obscured by the authors' politics. I find the same to be true of most Christian writers (notably C.S. Lewis) and it makes me step back and wonder why it's so *&(*^&(% important to be RIGHT, to WIN, etc., and not to engage in rational inquiry. This is true even of many philosophers.
These days, we talk much more than we think. It's great that you've read much of the Bible, and perhaps you can appreciate the historical context and the fact that the inaccuracies and contradictions detract none from its value as a guide for the searchings of many people. Let's hope that some of the same consideration will be given to those who hold to other truths.
Good luck in your readings.
2007-05-23 00:55:09 · answer #2 · answered by Don M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in a similar boat as you and I have read them all, along with the bible (and various forms of it) and MANY different books about religions around the world.
Our difference is that I am a Christian. Though not your typical christian (I am about to ask a question I would like you to see and maybe answer). I respect all people and all beliefes and many of my friends are Athiest (many are christian, a couple jews and a muslim, 3 buddists and my brother in law follows Norse Mythology as a religion).
All those books have much to contribute (though I found some redundencey and some passive hatred. Some of the books run together in my head (I read passeges from some at the same time).
I feel that "active atheists" are still trying to find faith but are having a hard time. This maybe your xase it may not be. My advice either way is to never stand still in your journey of life and keep learning and evolving. I am never happy staying the same.
2007-05-23 00:50:43 · answer #3 · answered by Don B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
None actually, sadly. I'd read summaries of the God Delusion and I had a field day with that alone. I just find his logic funny, "Since religion caused the Crusades, we should all be Atheists"
My favorite book is Age of Reason by Thomas Paine. Paine is PhD level compared to Dawkins and Harris. Dawkins especially its like elementary school anti-Christian. I can't believe people rally behind people like Dawkins when Paine was so much better.
2007-05-23 00:56:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read much of Richard Dawkins work... as well as much about him. For an evolutionary scientist he seems to be deeply concerned about theology. Why does a scientist worry about what theologians think. After all science is science....right? Why then does this esteemed scientist....top in his field.....resort to comments like "The biggest problem in the world today is Judeo-Christian morality...."
Richard Dawkins seems to be a bit too hateful to be objective. There for I would have to question his work. The same goes for Carl Sagan, Charles Darwin......and the list goes on..... I have not read all of the authors you listed but I can give you the one commonality in them all. They are all looking for a reason not to believe.
The bottom line is no one can prove God exists or that he does not. You must have faith in something.....The question is what will you put your faith in......
Since I have read a few of the books you suggested how about you read one for me.
Try Origins and Destiny by Dr. Robert Gange....Its a bit dry, and it is not affiliated with any religion but it does a fine job of showing the impossibility of evolution. I have to warn you though you must have at least a basic understanding of science (thermodynamics and the like)
2007-05-23 00:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by jimdamailman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
None
I've read Barocha's Brain and Cosmos by Sagan. Both interesting.
All your list PROVES is that you ARE a religion, a Belief system. Something you deny.
I might read some Dawkins, but I'm expecting him to be trite.
Understand. I match things against Einstein's Theories on General and Special Relativity and Martin Buber's I AND THOU
You don't get much heavier than that.
If Dawkins don't even get that close he won't impress me.
Stephen Hawking don't impress me. Once he's dead I don't think anyone will remember him. He's an ICON because he's in a wheel chair and the world is PC
Kevin Brownowski is now non-existant
So is Fred Hoyle
Do you know who either of THOSE TWO ARE!
2007-05-23 00:49:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I read some of The God Delusion. I must admit that I found it tedious and hard to stomach. I would bet that you find the Bible the same. I can't say that I would read anything else on this list, as I just don't have the time.
I believe that there is so much more to life than what we experience with our five senses. I think it is foolish to allow science to explain everything, as there are things which our limited knowledge of science cannot account for. Moreover, I believe in God and I believe that God works within the laws of science...not magic. I believe that His knowledge and understanding of science is complete and perfect, while ours is limited.
2007-05-23 00:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have only read The God Delusion and I don't think the average person would understand much of the terminology.
I would like to read more on different religions, because I can't be against something if I don't understand it.
2007-05-23 01:14:45 · answer #8 · answered by God Fears Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try reading the rest of the Bible, C. S. Lewis, some of Lee Strobel's books and the others I've noted in my "Reference" section!
Why would any Christian want to waste his/her time reading Dawkin's, Sagan, or Russell? They went to a lot of trouble trying to disprove the Truth of God. I'm sure they all know the *real* truth now! I sincerely hope they found it out before it was too late, but I doubt it!
Oops! If Dawkins (and Stephen Hawkings) aren't dead yet, they *still* has some hope!
2007-05-23 00:48:42 · answer #9 · answered by trebor namyl hcaeb 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have read the books of the bible and there are so many contradictions and things in there that will make you sick. The bible is not the word of god but the rules made up by rural mankind. I used to be a christian but after a little common sense and some studying my intelligence lead me toward the the truth.
2007-05-23 00:46:39 · answer #10 · answered by jonday_99 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋