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A wonderfully articulate book that every religious person should read. A stunningly crafted arguement for reason.
I like how he goes right for the anti-choice movement's primary, religion-based arguments, and shows them to be morally bankrupt.Overall, I liked this book because it's Sam Harris plainly asking the reader/listener to just stop for a minute, find center, and think. I listened to the audio version of this book, and while I didn't like it as much as Dawkins' The God Delusion, it's a cogent and to-the-point criticism of theism, and primarily Christianity due to the intended audience's bent. I like how Sam Harris has an ability to sharply criticize while remaining affable yet serious.I also like how he tackles a few different subjects that the other atheist best sellers don't touch on as much, such as the abortion issue. Judging by the response books Mr. Harris's book has received - many of which try to ape his success by ripping off his cover and title designs - I think very few people his criticisms are aimed at are interested in listening to what he actually says than pumping out more apologetics to compensate for lost book sales and shelf space.This is a quick must-read from a clear thinker and advocate.
I read this last year, but was tempted to read it again after seeing it in my e-book folder yesterday. As we can see in the US, the most religious states `red' tend to be heavy in crime, but in the more secular blue states we see a drop in crime by comparison. All of our other beliefs e.g. As such, it's a book that I wish more Christians & religious people would read, with an open mind of course, & evaluate its arguments. are questioned & we are expected to give reason for why we believe the way we do about them, but religion has an exemption. Harris is basically making the case that religion is irrational & even in its mildest form helps to spread dissension & cause needless suffering to others. I read it in one sitting, because Harris's words ring so true to me as an atheist & because it's rather short. According to many Christians (et al)., atheists are supposed to be completely immoral, evil people, yet evidence shows that there is a correlation between high rates of secularism & a higher standard of living.Though it is offensive to some people to even question the importance of religion, it is a stunning example of religion's tyrannical hold on people, that most overlook.
Why is it that we accept that religion need be a part of our lives. That we should tolerate it being forced upon society.One argument that is often made is that society as a whole needs religion to keep us from destroying civilization itself. environmental, political, etc. Because faith has been made into a virtue & honestly, no evidence has been collected in religion's favor, that we've neglected or been forced away from criticizing it or holding it to the same standards that other systems of beliefs endure.
The reason why. The purpose of the writing, as I can gather, is to show that Christianity and all other religion is the single greatest threat to the advancement of our society. Harris is free to argue that Christianity is slowing society from advancing. No matter who you are, ask yourself the question honestly, "Did Sam Harris adequately defend his conclusion in this book." I believe the answer is most definitely no. That is his primary argument here.
It is clear that many need a good dope slap, and if it has to come from a fierce opponent of Christianity than so be it. People have written hundreds of other reviews on this website in the endeavor to do that very thing. At the top of this review, I stated that all Christians should read this book. Harris is right in that there are sadly many Christians out there who believe absurd things. The appeal of this book lies only in its edginess and boldness of claims. Because in all honesty, Harris highlights some points that Christians need to hear.
Before you read this review, you should know two things. Namely, one who believes that this book (or better books like it) should be read by all Christians. If these are Harris's claims, then it is his duty as a critic to accurately portray the viewpoint of the one he is criticizing. In short, there are much better books out there on the subject. Whether or not that conclusion is true (I believe it's not), the book is filled with gross misrepresentations and stereotypes of Christianity. No educated person would ever try to defend such a hot-button topic as to whether or not God exists in such a shorthanded manner. Harris stops short of calling all religious persons insane. The fact that Harris believes God doesn't exist can be considered a premise for the conclusion that religion is a detriment to society.
Most if not all of which are inadequate Second, I am a Christian. The only thing this book accomplishes (as is attested by the reviews) is the strengthening of positions on both sides. Firstly, Christians must reevaluate our pseudo marriage to the republican party by way of Falwell's "moral majority." Too many Christians out there are willing to picket protest at an abortion clinic rather than help the struggling single moms in their midst. The Christian should ask themselves, "Why am I abstaining from sex outside of marriage." The answer should be that you want to honor your Creator. The Bible verses are stripped from their literary and historical contexts.
However, he must first be sure that his assessment of that faith or worldview is accurate. The end goal of that, theoretically, is that Africans will abstain from sex. First, I will not spend my time and energy fighting for or against the position of the author. The fact that Christians are preventing Africans from being educated about contraception is a travesty and a great crime. Too many Christians are quick to vote for their moral agenda rather than an honest evaluation of a candidate's ability to govern (George Bush anyone). You were given the choice whether or not to honor your creator. This does not mean that Christianity itself is absurd. Instead it comes off as yet another jaded-about-religion atheist ranting against his opponent.
That said, I want to evaluate the writing, not make an argument for or against the thesis of the book. I could go on for pages and pages about things we can learn from this book. If John McCain had spent millions of dollars on TV ads stating that Obama is a Nazi, McCain would have no place in political discourse whatsoever because his claim has no ground in reality at all. To be fair, I do not think he did a terrible job, I am simply saying that it is not a well supported argument. Withholding this information not only fails in preventing the disease, but those who submit to your agenda are only doing so to prevent the disease--not to honor their Creator. For this reason, despite the fact that I feel his conclusion is ill-defended, I give the book 3 stars.
This is a must-read book for all agnostics and so-called "progressive Christians". I was mad and sad. For me and most other atheists, this book is probably "preaching to the choir" (no pun intended). As I began reading this book, I expected it would be funny. This is indeed a great little book. I expected Harris to point out the various fallacies of religiosity and indeed he does. I sat down and read it in one sitting- I could not put it down (obviously). The list of historical atrocities in the name of religion is well known (Harris does not dwell on these), but Harris explains the current and indefensible behaviors of Christians including missionaries teaching people not to use condoms (furthering the spread of HIV).
Usually, the suspension of reality and adherence to superstition in the face of overwhelming evidence is indeed quite funny (to me). I was not laughing by the time I got half-way through this book. For so many agnostics who think that religion is not for them, but okay to keep the masses in-line or give people a sense of belonging (I've heard them all), this book is going to open your eyes to why religion is not benign- It's down-right dangerous. I highly recommend it.
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