“Thousands of people have written to tell me that I am wrong not to believe in God. The most hostile of these communications have come from Christians. This is ironic, as Christians generally imagine that no faith imparts the virtues of love and forgiveness more effectively than their own. The truth is that many who claim to be transformed by Christ’s love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of criticism. While we may want to ascribe this to human nature, it is clear that suc... (show more)
“Thousands of people have written to tell me that I am wrong not to believe in God. The most hostile of these communications have come from Christians. This is ironic, as Christians generally imagine that no faith imparts the virtues of love and forgiveness more effectively than their own. The truth is that many who claim to be transformed by Christ’s love are deeply, even murderously, intolerant of criticism. While we may want to ascribe this to human nature, it is clear that such hatred draws considerable support from the Bible. How do I know this? The most disturbed of my correspondents always cite chapter and verse.”
So begins Letter to a Christian Nation…
www.samharris.org (show less)
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All books that challenge religious faith, such as Dawkins's The God Delusion or God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens, must overlap somewhat on ... (show more)
All books that challenge religious faith, such as Dawkins's The God Delusion or God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens, must overlap somewhat on the arguments offered. After all there are only so many arguments the believers give, so there can only be so many arguments against them. What differentiates these books, then, apart from some of the specifics of how those arguments are addressed, is their tone and focus.
While The God Delusion attacked the irrationality of religion and looked for truth in the debate, Harris writes as though he is genuinely worried for the future of humanity if it remains firmly in religion’s grip. For example, one of his central arguments is that, considering a large proportion of the States, including its politicians, believes in the truth of the Book of Revelation, if a world gripped by nuclear war saw New York and Washington DC turned into smoking craters, a large number of people might actually rejoice in the belief that this may herald the glorious second coming of Jesus. Assuming they would be wrong, this would not be a very helpful state of affairs in the subsequent struggles to rebuild American society.
While Dawkins writes like a lecturer going through facts and inferences he has found to argue his case, Harris’s writing brings to mind a man desperately rushing through a busy street, grabbing people’s lapels and shaking them, shouting “Don’t you see? We must do something! Don’t you see?” I believe that both of these approaches are important and, having read Harris’s letter, I can understand why he is worried. (show less)
The arguments put forth over centuries by the greatest of philosophers simplified though perhaps if these arguments were specified when brought up ... (show more)
The arguments put forth over centuries by the greatest of philosophers simplified though perhaps if these arguments were specified when brought up (moral and natural evil, inconsistent triads,soul-making, mystics, miracles, etc) it would add to the amatuer atheists' weight in debate. While Harris uses logical examples, the tone of the book is pompous, arrogant, and would potentially turn off any reader of faith from going past the first few pages. Religion itself defies logic and reason, as do many beliefs whether teleologically based or not but that does not prevent people from believing or having faith. This age old debate will not be settled with this book, there are no intellectual challenges put forth, and it appears as though the inability to concede that people are different, and no two people will agree 100% will keep Harris, Hitchens, and others on the defensive. Rather than berate, friendly atheism needs application and through understanding fellow human beings only then will their be rationale discussion on the subject. Overall,I feel this particular book will not change the fundamentalists mind and has potential to drive the wedge even further between believers and non-believers. (show less)
Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Harris had some good points. Like most New Atheists I've read, he fails to back up most of his arguments with facts. He assumes that what he says is true then says people would be ignorant not to agree with him. He is almost as good at making bad arguments sound good as most of the Christian Apologists that he does not regard very highly. Aside from that I appreciate some of what he has to say.
I do find it rather amusing that the cry of Ath... (show more)
Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Harris had some good points. Like most New Atheists I've read, he fails to back up most of his arguments with facts. He assumes that what he says is true then says people would be ignorant not to agree with him. He is almost as good at making bad arguments sound good as most of the Christian Apologists that he does not regard very highly. Aside from that I appreciate some of what he has to say.
I do find it rather amusing that the cry of Atheist writers goes along the lines of: "Our society is too religious, we are destined for certain destruction!" while the cry of Christian writers is: "Our society is too secular, we are destined for certain destruction." (I read David Wells' "No place for truth "at the same time as this) I guess there is no getting out of it, I only hope there will be a fireworks show at the end. (show less)
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Another book that over generalizes people of faith. A shorter version of the God Delusion. No new points just the same arguments against faith, well mostly against religion. Harris takes every opportunity to reference terrorists to prove a point. His take on people who are moved to be altruist thru their faith is rather disturbing. His perspective on Mother Teresa is rather disheartening in regards to those moved to be generous due to their faith.
A very bizarre part is when increas... (show more)
Another book that over generalizes people of faith. A shorter version of the God Delusion. No new points just the same arguments against faith, well mostly against religion. Harris takes every opportunity to reference terrorists to prove a point. His take on people who are moved to be altruist thru their faith is rather disturbing. His perspective on Mother Teresa is rather disheartening in regards to those moved to be generous due to their faith.
A very bizarre part is when increased crime in a non-religious Europe is blamed on immigration, while on the next page, Texas being a "red" state (meaning Republican in majority) has more cities with crime than "blue" states. Somehow trying to make a point that the more religious the state is (according to political party I guess?) the crime is there. Apparently Texas doesn't have an immigration problem like Europe and Democratic states have less crime (I guess he's considering blue states non-religious states for some reason?). Again, major over generalizing to prove some bizarre points. (show less)
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