Corgan Sow

I'm just looking for opinions.

For me, maybe some slightest hint of Dan's "angst" on Xtianity may drove this book's credibility into scepticism.

Nevertheless, from his excerpts, it is still a good read.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1877733075/qid=1031321719/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/103-8095766-9878240?v=glance&s=books" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1877733075/qid=1031321719/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/103-8095766-9878240?v=glance&s=books</a>

KnightWhoSaysNi

This is the first atheism book I've ever read. I read this book about 9 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Today, however, I probably wouldn't say it's the best of the skeptical books out there. I can think of others that are much more intellectually powerful, like Leaving the Fold: Testimonies of Former Fundamentalists. I don't think he really dug deep enough or rebutted enough apologists' arguments, he used some out-of-date sources, I think his chapter "Dear Believer" was mean spirited, and his chapter describing his letter to the editor about a major fatal highway accident just seemed really inappropriate. One other concern I have for the book is that it might motivate a newbie atheist to become more of a militant or religion-basher at first, as it did in my case.

But despite the flaws, I think it's a great book to introduce to someone who knows little about atheism, skepticism, and apologetics. He/she will get an introduction to the many arguments for atheism and critiques of Christianity in an easy to understand and fun way. His deconversion experience and other stories with evangelists, preachers, TV show hosts, and other anecdotes were very interesting to read about. Overall, I highly recommend the book if you're a novice to it all.

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: Nightshade ]</p>

Captn Kidd

I agree with Nightshade. A good read, but a touch on the militant side.

His chapter about the square being a circle (or vice versa?) is a classic - absolutely brilliant. I'm now reading The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, and it's amazing how often it mirrors the circle/square arguments.

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: Captn Kidd ]</p>

butswana

Pretty much any book that Amazon sells that could be construed as anti-religion gets flamed. It's like people look for stuff to trash. I've read some reviews where the guy started off with, "I didn't read this but I know it's trash."

cydonia

Funny, i ordered this book from amazon a few days ago and expect it to arrive any day now. I've looked everywhere for it and finally decided to order it. This would be my third "official" skeptical book after Carl Sagan's "Demon Haunted World" and "Why Atheism?" by George H. Smith, and i also received "Atheism: The Case Against God" by him today from amazon as well. I'm not intrested in becoming a militant though, i just want to learn the "truth". If atheism ends up giving me that, then we'll see. I wonder if i will end up becoming an atheist though, in "Why Atheism?" Smith says it's a slippery slope from fundy to atheist.

I never wanted to be a believer, my family shoved it down my throat and now i'm attempting to gain knowledge on my own. Now the key for me is to not be afraid of knowledge, to not think the devil is really behind my thirst for truth. Just sharing.

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: cydonia ]</p>