The God Delusion

[omnipotentoculus]

A lot of people here are believers in the supernatural, be it traditional religion or occult studies. The most important thing one can do as a believer is challange those beliefs. A new book, by Richard Dawkins, one of the most intelligent people alive today, is about how atheism is not only a rational position, but that it is more moral and better for society than any supernatural belief. The man is extremely articulate and easy to read, I suggest you all pick up "The God Delusion."

[Zak Roy Yoballa]

Can you be a little more specific on the book's content?   The title is a little disturbing...

[Moloch]

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[The_Seeker]

Oh, Zak and Moloch.  The reason your post titles say 1 is because it just was part of the merging process.  Sorry about that.

Now, here's the description from Houghton and Mifflin

A preeminent scientist -- and the world's most prominent atheist -- asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11.
With rigor and wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry, and abuses children, buttressing his points with historical and contemporary evidence. The God Delusion makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just wrong but potentially deadly. It also offers exhilarating insight into the advantages of atheism to the individual and society, not the least of which is a clearer, truer appreciation of the universe's wonders than any faith could ever muster.

And yes, that does sound rather chilling to some doesn't it?  Here's a slightly nicer reader review from Amazon

My goodness, some of the more vitriolic reviewers are demon speed readers! Ploughing through and absorbing 400 pages in hours! This one "A flawed fundamentaist tract in which Prof Dawkins fails once again to prove the non-existence of God" appearing within a day of the book becoming available. Evidently failing to grasp that it is impossible, logically, to prove the non-existence of any supernatural entity, be it Osiris, Thor, or unicorns.

Then we have the all too common "Why can't a scientist ever admit that their beliefs are theories, not fact?", showing a complete misapprehension of the term 'theory' as scientifically understood. 'Theory' as understood by scientists does not mean a speculative conjecture, Einstein's 'theory' of relativity and 'theory' of gravitation have stood the test of nearly a hundred years now and are accurate beyond dispute.

And stunning non-sequiturs: "God is outside of nature, and science cannot prove or disprove his existence. Therefore, atheism is an unreasonable and illogical position". For the flaw in this try substituting 'atheism' with 'theism'.

For my part I strongly recommend this book. It is well written and well argued. Those already convinced, atheists and agnostics alike, will of course enjoy it, but it is not meant for them primarily. Those who are troubled and tormented by doubt will find much to console and support them here.

Thanks for the suggestion Omni!  I'd love to discuss it when I get to read it.

[Moloch]

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[Zak Roy Yoballa]

Thanks but no thanks.   

I know why I think what I think and I know what I've experienced.

ZRY 

[demon.hunter]

I was an aithiest before i became a demon hunter.  so thanks but... no thanks, i pretty much already know what to expect from that book. yes, society would be more pecaeful if everyone had the same religious believes, but diversity is what makes life funt, wouldne you agree? i mean, if there were no demons, what would i be doing all my free time?

[omnipotentoculus]

Zak, you are one of the people I respect most on this site. You owe it to yourself to at least confront the book. It is eye opening. The way one finds the truth is by hearing both sides. Regardless of if it affects your faith, it forces you to deal with and  understand what begins occuring when people treat religion in a special way. I am not one who recommends books lightly. Please read it. I am not saying I agree with Dawkins' argument, because I don't. That's how good the book is, I disagree and am recommending it.

[Zak Roy Yoballa]

Zak, you are one of the people I respect most on this site. You owe it to yourself to at least confront the book. It is eye opening. The way one finds the truth is by hearing both sides. Regardless of if it affects your faith, it forces you to deal with and  understand what begins occuring when people treat religion in a special way. I am not one who recommends books lightly. Please read it. I am not saying I agree with Dawkins' argument, because I don't. That's how good the book is, I disagree and am recommending it.

I tell you what Omni,  seeing as you are a fellow believer and someone I respect, I will consider this in prayer.  I ask that you pray about it too.  As to whether I should read it or not.  If He wants me to, He'll let me know.  Currently I'm reading Job in the Bible, lets see if any verses pop out at me there...


ZRY