Atheism Books

The God Delusion

Richard Dawkins

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1250 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Truly Honest Review ~ Yes I Read The Book 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

It is my goal to provide an honest review of this book, as seen from my perspective. I appreciate what Dawkins says, from the viewpoint of his arguement. Dawkins also, surprisingly, admits that the existance of God is a 50/50 chance. He does, however, provide arguments for why he believes God is improbable. The book is split into two parts. The first half of the book is Dawkins' argument against religion. The second half is a scientific history of religion and a hypothesis for why it began.

Regardless of if you are Atheist or Theist, I think both sides can appreciate (not neccessarily agree with) Dawkins' arguments. For Atheist's, Dawkins provides a central scientific argument for Atheists beliefs. Saddly enough, Atheist's are persecuted everywhere, simply because of what they believe. This is eerily reminiscent of the persecutions of jews and christians elsewhere. Theist's should not look at this book in disdain, but see it as a resource. Challenge makes people stronger, and "The GOD Delusion" is definitely a challenge.

This book was written for the Atheist, not the Theist or Christian. Dawkins states repeatedly that its not his intent to convert people, but to provide his arguments to those who share his belief. I found his arguments well thoughtout, a bit over explained, and quite stimulating. For the Athiest this book is a true breath of fresh air and a source of solace.

While I have no doubt, that because I said positive things about this book that my review will be terribly rated, I felt compelled to share my view. As an Atheist living in the christian dominated American society, I'm often smothered by the religious beliefs of others. While the Constitution provides freedom of religion, it does not afford freedom FROM religion.

Mr. Dawkins, Thank you sir. Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in my beliefs, and thank you for your richly inspiring arguments.

Editorial Review:

In his sensational international bestseller, the preeminent scientist and outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins delivers a hard-hitting, impassioned, but humorous rebuttal of religious belief. With rigor and wit, Dawkins eviscerates the arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of the existence of a supreme being. He makes a compelling case that faith is not just irrational, but potentially deadly. In a preface written for the paperback edition, Dawkins responds to some of the controversies the book has incited. This brilliantly argued, provocative book challenges all of us to test our beliefs, no matter what beliefs we hold.

God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything

Christopher Hitchens

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 792 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Technical Critique- Audiobook is unintelligible 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This review addresses the quality of the audiobook and does not address the content itself.

The engineer on this album failed or simply forgot to compress and/or normalize the audio. The narrator has a habit of "punching" the first words of the sentence and then trailing off to almost a whisper.

If you drive a very quiet car or have a killer sound system, this may not be an issue. For the Toyota drivers of the world, it's a nightmare. If you crank up the volume you get an ear-splitting start of a sentence and then a "what did he just say?" end to the sentence.

In short, do not buy the audiobook version unless you're listening in a sound-proof studio in a hollowed-out volcano using professional earphones. It's maddening.

Editorial Review:

In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian and Sam Harris's recent bestseller, The End of Faith, Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case
against religion. With a close and erudite reading of the major religious texts, he documents the ways in which religion is a man-made wish, a cause of dangerous sexual repression, and a distortion of our origins in the cosmos. With eloquent clarity, Hitchens frames the argument for a more secular life based on science and
reason, in which hell is replaced by the Hubble Telescope's awesome view of the universe, and Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty and symmetry
of the double helix.

The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever

Christopher Hitchens

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of God Is Not Great, a provocative and entertaining guided tour of atheist and agnostic thought through the ages--with never-before-published pieces by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.Christopher Hitchens continues to make the case for a splendidly godless universe in this first-ever gathering of the influential voices--past and present--that have shaped his side of the current (and raging) God/no-god debate. With Hitchens as your erudite and witty guide, you’ll be led through a wealth of philosophy, literature, and scientific inquiry, including generous portions of the words of Lucretius, Benedict de Spinoza, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Mark Twain, George Eliot, Bertrand Russell, Emma Goldman, H. L. Mencken, Albert Einstein, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and many others well-known and lesser known. And they’re all set in context and commented upon as only Christopher Hitchens--“political and literary journalist extraordinaire” (Los Angeles Times)--can. Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: The Portable Atheist will speak to you and engage you every step of the way.

Letter to a Christian Nation (Vintage)

Sam Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 613 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Short and to the point 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I read this in about an hour at my library; it's very short, but gets to the point: the dangers of Christianity, mainly fundamentalism. So Christians, read this! It won't take long, and it'll give you some things to think about.

Sam Harris' "Little White Book" 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 15 people found this review helpful.

After reading this book I have gathered two conclusions pertaining to Sam Harris. One, he is a very good writer and should teach an English class on rhetoric. Two, while Harris is at Stanford it may do him some good to take a couple theological classes. Below are the reasons I came up with for my assertions. Because time is short I will only give a few of my reasons.

Harris begins the book declaring that Christians are atheists towards all other religions. Well this isn't exactly true. In fact if you would take Islam, Judaism, and Christianity what you would see is remarkable similarities, it is the atheist who is in fact the odd man out. When a Christian rejects Islam we are not rejecting everything about Islam. However when one asserts atheism they are rejecting all components of religion. Religions accept and understand why 93% of those around the world have some instinctive sense that God exists. Some atheists meanwhile fail to shrug of their childhood tendencies while calling each other "Brights".

Harris proceeds in addressing Old Testament Ethics. One thing is beyond clear is the idea that Harris believes the only approach to hermeneutics is a static approach. Yet from the time of Augustine through the Reformation there have been theologians who have questions this approach. My point is his entire argument on Old/New Testament Ethics is ill-relevant for those who do not take a static approach to scripture. For those who take a redemptive hermeneutics approach, such as William Webb who wrote, "Slaves, Women, and Homosexuality", would find Harris' argument a Strawman. Peter Enns and his book, "Inspiration and Incarnation" also allows for a different hermeneutic approach that deals with the Old Testament stories and the science behind them, Harris ignores this hermeneutic approach as well. These approaches are held by many Christians not simply because it allows them to escape Harris' static approach but quite frankly make the most sense if we consider who God is and how he speaks to those around him. If Harris wants to take on the task of addressing Old-Testament ethics he needs to not be lazy about it and address the hermeneutics of scripture.

Harris then attacks the leaders of Christianity suggesting that it is their faith that caused them to do such acts. Pertaining to Christianity it is beyond obvious that all followers of Christ are sinners, what Harris has to do is show how Luther, Calvin, and Augustine were not products of their culture but rather Christ taught the need for inquisitions to be done by people who follow him. Harris does no such thing. Then Harris goes on to suggest that Hitler may have been a Christian or sympathized with Christianity during one of his speeches in his early years. After reading up on Hitler this was more than obvious that this was not Hitler's true ideas but rather political rhetoric. Here is a private quote that show his true nature.

"The heaviest blow that ever struck humanity was the coming of Christianity. Bolshevism is Christianity's illegitimate child. Both are inventions of the Jew. The deliberate lie in religion was introduced into the world by Christianity. Bolshevism practices a lie of the same nature, when it claims to bring liberty to men, only to enslave them....The decisive falsification of Jesus's doctrine was the word of St. Paul."

He then makes the "Red State/Blue State" argument. Name any city with a high crime rate and you will quickly see that those cities aren't loaded with Republican mayors and Republican city councilmen. Can anyone say Detroit? However this is well besides the point. No Christian should say atheists, in general, are more dangerous than Christians. If they do they don't understand the grace associated with Christianity. And this lead me to my last point.

Harris spends a large amount of time claiming objective morality and the errors of morality in Christianity. However this is where he is weakest. No where does he give an ontological basis for his morality. Harris claims pleasure/pain creates a basis morality. Okay, who's pleasure and who's pain and on what basis am I obligated to concern myself with someone else's nerve endings? There is no basis and this is where his book stinks like rotten eggs. He brings up slavery so I will use slavery as my example. Given atheism where am I obligated to concern myself with the slave.

The point is beyond clear. And for those who were "shocked and awed" by Harris and are no longer "devout" Christians I truly wonder what your definition of devout is?

Editorial Review:

From the new afterword by the author:

Humanity has had a long fascination with blood sacrifice. In fact, it has been by no means uncommon for a child to be born into this world only to be patiently and lovingly reared by religious maniacs, who believe that the best way to keep the sun on its course or to ensure a rich harvest is to lead him by tender hand into a field or to a mountaintop and bury, butcher, or burn him alive as offering to an invisible God. The notion that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that his death constitutes a successful propitiation of a “loving” God is a direct and undisguised inheritance of the superstitious bloodletting that has plagued bewildered people throughout history. . .

What's So Great About Christianity

Dinesh D'Souza

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 129 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Cogent Assessment of Christianity 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is unquestionably one of the most intellectually apologetic books ever written in defense of Christianity and its influence on western culture ever written. What is so amazing is that the author is not a theologian nor is he particularly well-versed on Scriptures; however, he is very convincing in his logic and keen insight on how Christianity has impacted the thoughts and actions of both individuals and countries around the world.

His responses to the atheistic rantings of the likes of Sagan, Hitchens, Dawkins, Dennett, Wilson and others is so plausible and rational that one is left with the impression that these men speak only for themselves in their hardened unbelief. Their arguments and positions are wholly untenable when placed up against historical facts that support Christainity as the only religion that is founded by God himself in human form, namely Jesus Christ. D'Souza successfully dispels all myths and misunderstandings about what Christianity is with regards to its origin,its transcendant leader, its life-changing repercussions on its followers, and its significance in arousing widespread derision and divisiveness from doubters and scoffers with the passage of time.

Secular humanism, scientific naturalism, reformation, rehabilitation, theraputics, good deeds and good works will not assure one of avoiding the judgment of God or gaining entrance into heaven. Only acceptance of the finished work of the Savior and Lord of mankind on the cross of Calvary will give that assurance. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" ( Acts 16:31 ). That, my friend, is what's so great about Christianity.

Answering the New Atheism: Dismantling Dawkins' Case Against God

Scott Hahn, Benjamin Wiker

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Surprisingly supportive of Dawkins. 1 out of 5 stars.
44 of 59 people found this review helpful.

I was amazed at the loose argument put together by the authors. Everybody should just fast-forward to the last chapter and have a good laugh at the backwards thinking associated with these religious supporters.

Stem cell research is actually equated to an evolved form of cannibalism. Smart a@@ remarks are made about Dawkins. A hyperthetical King Dawkins is dragged through the mud and for some reason they bring his wife into the discussion in an attempt to irritate Dawkins. Clearly nothing is sacred to the writers.

Yes, that last chapter really shows the true colors of our religious authors. It is clear that by the end of their book they must have realized, as I did, that they had better throw some sticks and stones because the words used surely did nothing to dent Dawkins' argument.

For me they actually reinforced Dawkins argument. Pity they couldn't just turn the other cheek. Instead they apparently are going to take it on the nose.

Editorial Review:

The essential book for dismantling Richard Dawkins' atheistic agenda. Scott Hahn and Benjamin Wiker collaborate to debunk Dawkins' theories and show how inconsistent and illogical his conclusions truly are. This is the definitive book for college students or faithful Christians hoping to answer Dawkins' claims and assert the logic and beauty of their faith.

There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind

Antony Flew, Roy Abraham Varghese

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Total reviews: 60 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In one of the biggest religion news stories of the new millennium, the Associated Press announced that Professor Antony Flew, the world's leading atheist, now believes in God.

Flew is a pioneer for modern atheism. His famous paper, Theology and Falsification, was first presented at a meeting of the Oxford Socratic Club chaired by C. S. Lewis and went on to become the most widely reprinted philosophical publication of the last five decades. Flew earned his fame by arguing that one should presuppose atheism until evidence of a God surfaces. He now believes that such evidence exists, and There Is a God chronicles his journey from staunch atheism to believer.

For the first time, this book will present a detailed and fascinating account of Flew's riveting decision to revoke his previous beliefs and argue for the existence of God. Ever since Flew's announcement, there has been great debate among atheists and believers alike about what exactly this "conversion" means. There Is a God will finally put this debate to rest.

This is a story of a brilliant mind and reasoned thinker, and where his lifelong intellectual pursuit eventually led him: belief in God as designer.

Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism

David Mills

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Total reviews: 203 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Clear, concise, and persuasive, Atheist Universe details exactly why God is unnecessary to explain the universe and life's diversity, organization, and beauty. The author thoroughly rebuts every argument that claims to "prove" God's existence — arguments based on logic, common sense, philosophy, ethics, history and science.

Atheist Universe avoids the esoteric language and logic used by philosophers and presents its scientific evidence in simple lay terms, making it a richly entertaining and easy-to-read introduction to atheism. A comprehensive primer, it addresses all the historical and scientific questions, including: Is there proof that God does not exist? What evidence is there of Jesus's resurrection? Can creation science reconcile scripture with the latest scientific discoveries?

Atheist Universe also answers ethical issues such as: What is the meaning of life without God? It's a spellbinding inquiry that ultimately arrives at a controversial and well-documented conclusion.

The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and Its Scientific Pretensions

David Berlinski

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Total reviews: 55 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Militant atheism is on the rise. Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens have dominated bestseller lists with books denigrating religious belief as dangerous foolishness. And these authors are merely the leading edge of a far larger movement–one that now includes much of the scientific community.

“The attack on traditional religious thought,” writes David Berlinski in The Devil’s Delusion, “marks the consolidation in our time of science as the single system of belief in which rational men and women might place their faith, and if not their faith, then certainly their devotion.”

A secular Jew, Berlinski nonetheless delivers a biting defense of religious thought. An acclaimed author who has spent his career writing about mathematics and the sciences, he turns the scientific community’s cherished skepticism back on itself, daring to ask and answer some rather embarrassing questions:

Has anyone provided a proof of God’s inexistence?
Not even close.

Has quantum cosmology explained the emergence of the universe or why it is here?
Not even close.

Have the sciences explained why our universe seems to be fine-tuned to allow for the existence of life?
Not even close.

Are physicists and biologists willing to believe in anything so long as it is not religious thought?
Close enough.

Has rationalism in moral thought provided us with an understanding of what is good, what is right, and what is moral?
Not close enough.

Has secularism in the terrible twentieth century been a force for good?
Not even close to being close.

Is there a narrow and oppressive orthodoxy of thought and opinion within the sciences?
Close enough.

Does anything in the sciences or in their philosophy justify the claim that religious belief is irrational?
Not even ballpark.

Is scientific atheism a frivolous exercise in intellectual contempt?
Dead on.

Berlinski does not dismiss the achievements of western science. The great physical theories, he observes, are among the treasures of the human race. But they do nothing to answer the questions that religion asks, and they fail to offer a coherent description of the cosmos or the methods by which it might be investigated.

This brilliant, incisive, and funny book explores the limits of science and the pretensions of those who insist it can be–indeed must be–the ultimate touchstone for understanding our world and ourselves.

The Quotable Atheist: Ammunition for Non-Believers, Political Junkies, Gadflies, and Those Generally Hell-Bound

Jack Huberman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Flawed but fun 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

All quotes collections are fun, and this one is no exception. The selection of quotes is pretty good, ranging mostly to things you haven't already heard a million times.

The one downside is that author Huberman insists on inserting his own snide and useless comments right inside the quotes. Although his text is fairly easy to distinguish, this practice is both confusing and annoying. Especially as the insertions gradually (and perhaps inevitably) paint a rather unflattering picture of their author. This would be a better book if Huberman had stuck to scholarly background annotations... or maybe saved the space and simply added more actual quotes.

Nonetheless, the quotes themselves do hold up well. A worthwhile book to read or browse.

Editorial Review:

Surprisingly, no book of quotations on God and religion by atheists and agnostics exists. Luckily, for the millions of American nonbelievers who have quietly stewed for years as the religious right made gains in politics and culture, the wait is over. Bestselling author Jack Huberman's zeitgeist sense has honed into the backlash building against religious fundamentalism and collected a veritable treasure trove of quotes by philosophers, scientists, poets, writers, artists, entertainers, and political figures. His colorful cast of atheists includes Karen Armstrong, Lance Armstrong, Jules Feiffer, Federico Fellini, H. L. Mencken, Ian McKellen, Isaac Singer, Jonathan Swift, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Virginia Woolf and the Marquis de Sade.