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Old 02-16-2002, 02:09 PM   #1
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Unhappy Michael Martin

I am a few chapters into his book "Atheism: A Philosophical Justification," and it's apparent that this book is NOT intended for the layman like me. It requires quite a bit of previous philosophical understanding, and IMO he doesn't write particularly clearly. So I think my trouble with understanding it thus far is attributable to those two factors (probably more the former though).

What I'm wondering is if his other works are at about the same level. I know he's written several pieces that are in the library (I've skimmed over a couple and found them somewhat over my head), as well as the book "The Case Against Christianity." That is a book that I'm interested in reading, but I may hold off on purchasing it for a while if it's a little too advanced for laymen readers.

So, if you have read that particular book, would you say that it's pretty easy to follow for the interested but unlearned reader, or must one have prior experience with the topic?

The only other major atheist book that I've read thus far is Smith's "Atheism: The Case Against God." That was an interesting and easy read. So if you could make your comparisons/contrasts with that book, it would be helpful.

Thanks!

Brian
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Old 02-16-2002, 02:29 PM   #2
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Brian: You should be able to get through "The Case Against Christianity" if you were able to get through Smith's book. I read "The Case..." and was not impressed with the style (if that's the correct word) of his arguments. Good luck.
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Old 02-16-2002, 08:28 PM   #3
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I agree with Sidewinder. "A Philosophical Justification ...." and "The Case Against Christianity" are two very different books. The latter is easy to understand, the former almost impossible for someone not trained in that sort of thing. And while Sidewinder wasn't impressed with the style of Martin's arguments in "Case," I think the book is absolutely devastating to traditional Christianity as viewed from the perspective of its dogma.

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