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05-14-2003, 10:53 AM | #1 |
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Letters from a Skeptic
This is a really good book so far (I'm about 70 pages in). It is a recording of a correspondance between a young theologian and his athiest/agnostic father about the problems with the Christian faith. The father asks a lot of the same questions that I have been asked a million times on this message board, but the author, Dr. Boyd (being a P.h.d and all) gives much better answers than I could have. It is the paradigm of a civil discussion about Christian beliefs with a skeptic. I'm really enjoying it and would reccomend it.
Edited to add Amazon/IIDB link - liv |
05-17-2003, 03:27 PM | #2 |
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I finished it.
Seriously, it's good. |
05-17-2003, 03:44 PM | #3 | |
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05-17-2003, 03:50 PM | #4 |
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I took a look over at amazon to see if this might really be of interest. The reviews written by readers were far more entertaining than the excerpts from the book. They wane from either being in the choir or they stand ready to stone the guy for heresy. Christians are a funny lot for sure.
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05-17-2003, 06:05 PM | #5 | |
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<chuckle> I loved James Scott's review.
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05-17-2003, 07:18 PM | #6 |
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From what I've read of the book, the guy treats his dad like an idiot. He constantly keeps bringing up the fact that he has a degree in this crap, using it to beat his dad into submission. It's quite pathetic actually.
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05-18-2003, 07:46 PM | #7 |
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Cretinist, how far into the book have you gotten?
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05-18-2003, 08:21 PM | #8 |
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Incidentially, how did this thread get over here? I thought I posted it on the General Religious Discussions board? Can we move it back?
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05-18-2003, 09:30 PM | #9 |
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I've just read a few sections here and there while sitting in a Christian bookstore.
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05-18-2003, 09:50 PM | #10 | |
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it's even worse than that, the dad even treats himself as an idiot. He gives up without even defending himself! I tried to read the book for the humor value, but I just couldn't stand it here's an excerpt from the first letter: "I find your idea of dialoguing about the subject of Christianity very interesting, and I'd be happy to do it. I've got enough time on my hands. I think you're giving me too much credit though, Greg. [...] I'm not at all firm on what I personally believe - at least not on religious matters. I really don't have a "faith" or "worldview" of any sort. I only know for sure what I don't believe. Also, unlike you, I'm not a trained philosopher, so if you write to me like you wrote in your dissertation, forget it! I won't be able to follow you. So you'll have to keep it simple." This is basically where I stopped reading. |
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