The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
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Book Reviews of The God Delusion
Book Review: The Case for Natural Selection, Humanism and other Smart Arguments
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a book that captures you so much that you only put it aside to search for more Richard Dawkins books to buy.
Dawkins carefully builds his argument to reach the conclusion that with the evidence at hand, it is almost certain that no supreme being stands behind the so-called "intelligent design," which was not "created" as many believe, but has rather been the result of the accumulation of a process of "natural selection," as was first described by Charles Darwin.
Even though the book is well organized, it feels at times like a chitchat session with the author, who delves into socio-political debates, which are currently in the news, and argues for women's rights, abortion and homosexuality, among other issues. By the time you finish reading the book, you will find a list of links to websites of like-minded organizations. Dawkins also recommends books of a similar nature.
In the final tally, Dawkins goes beyond presenting a scientific, social, psychological and anthropological argument against the existence of god. His book becomes an ideology pamphlet for like-minded atheists, agnostics and humanists. This adds to the book's allure.
What also makes the book interesting is Dawkins' wit. Dawkins strikes the correct balance between his entertaining sarcasm and the serious tone required in books like The God Delusion.
For those interested in the intellectual debate over the existence of god - like the one presented in this book - you might enjoy parts more than others. Those who are into scrutinizing divine texts to determine the authenticity of their call have to wait as they read Dawkins chapter after chapter. Perhaps not originally planned as such, The God Delusion first presents the scientific debate (Darwinism), then the philosophical debate (social Darwinism), and last tackles texts from the Old and New Testaments.
Dawkins, a scientist by training, which makes him excel in the scientific debate, also does a wonderful job in the human sciences part of his book.
Dawkins brilliantly drives home the idea that morality is not rooted in religion, but in human genes. He also shows how the exclusivity of religions, what he calls the in-group call for justice and bonding, is in fact a source of division if taken in a bigger context. While religions introduce noble and fairly humane (though male chauvinist and anti-women's rights) practices within their own groups, they shamelessly call for ruthlessly annihilating other groups that endorse different creeds.
Dawkins correctly, yet briefly, argues that within each religious scripture there are the verses that call for moderation, and the ones that encourage devilish behavior. Those who call themselves moderates, in every religion, are the ones who cherry-pick by rejecting whatever radical text and endorsing the moderate parts. Those who are fanatic, such as Islamist radicals and what Dawkins calls the "American Taliban," are the ones who endorse their creeds - in their entirety including the non-moderate teachings - and live by them.
The only downside to this book is its brief treatment of Islamic texts, a limitation that Dawkins - born and raised in a predominantly Judeo-Christian world - noted in his preface.
The God Delusion is a great work. It will be a long time before the world's intellectuals produce such a valuable book.
Book Review: Interesting and Passionate Book
Summary: 5 Stars
If there is an atheist trinity, I would put Richard Dawkins as the patri, Sam Harris starring as filio, and Holy (Christopher) Hitchens is cast as spiritu sancti. They through their various books formulate the most cogent and compelling arguments against a belief in the supernatural, which includes, a belief in God. Dawkins, in "The God Delusion" poses the tough question, of why do we give such respect for religious ideas? Few serious scientists would take seriously the myths of Greek Gods, Zeus and Appollo, but because people actually believe in the just as improbable myths, why do we by default give respect to "men of faith?" A fair question.
Dawkins goes through all the reasons why people have articulated why there must be a God, and he pretty much shot down all those reasons, atleast within the paradigm of scientific reasoning. He spends alot of time talking about the Abrahamic religions and their God, Allah and Jehovah in great detail, and I think, soundly diagnoses the angry tribal God of the Old Testament as someone who shouldn't be worshipped, but thrown into solitary confinement. He also takes on the New Testament and the Quoran, showing that the deities presented in these holy books is not that much better than the Old Testament lunatic.
Particularly, he mentions that scholars of Islam, just like Christians do, have the problem of contradicting scriptures. In Islam, they solve the problem by putting greater weight on the later scriptures and less on the earlier ones. The result is, that those who teach Islam today give only passing attention to Mohammad's early career, when he talked of peace and unity, and focus on his later writings which were more dogmatic and militaristic.
Dawkins also does a good job of explaining the fundamental differences there are between a scientific intellectual paradigm, and one based upon faith. Unlike some scholars (Stephen Jay Gould comes to mind), Dawkins argues convincingly, that a truly rational person, can't think rationally in one context, and then think superstitiously in a different one. Notwithstanding the large number of great scientists who were men of faith, Dawkins paints a picture that these scientists succeed despite their faith, not because of it.
Dawkins in discussing the two paradigms, also points out the different roles criticism plays in science and faith. In faith, criticism of religious authority is considered a vile act and should be resisted. In science, criticism is the very mechanism by which new discoveries are made.
Dawkins is appropriately worried about a nation that has the most powerful military, should also possess a growing evangelical and fundamentalist religious trend. To what extent is our species in trouble when people who are prone to believe in the implausible, have the ability to destroy humanity? It's a tough and alarming question that is on the minds of many people.
Even if you are a religious person, I recommend this book. If for no other reason, I have the hope that all ideas are open to discourse, and should be challenged as forcefully, yet as civilly as possible. Whether we as a society are ready for that, I have my doubts.
Book Review: Essential reading for the future of humanity and life on Earth
Summary: 5 Stars
The best book about God I've ever read. Essential reading for everyone from children to adult, atheist to fundamentalist. These arguments against the belief in a creator god must not be ignored. The future of our species depends on us progressing to a higher level of consciousness. Religion cannot take us to the level needed in order to thrive long term.
The God Delusion accurately and directly destroys the weak and thin arguments that the religious make for their beliefs. It also provides irrefutable cases (although the religious refute it anyway) demonstrating that religion, whether true or not, is not harmless. It is dangerous, incites violence, separation and prevents scientific progress that could save lives and make the world a better, safer place for all living things.
The religious fanatics actually do most of the argument for Dawkins. All he needed to do in many cases was present their direct quotes together in a collection. These quotes from religious, public, and political leaders are hilariously irrational statements, while at the same time sobering because hundreds of millions of people actually share their unfounded and baseless beliefs. My favorite parts of the book are these ridiculous quotes from famous politicians, public figures, and religious leaders. They bury themselves in contradictory, hypocritical, and - I can't say it any more delicately - idiotic statements. These span from racist and intolerant to violent and demented.
It is funny that these religious fanatics, who are wholly against the scientific view of the world, do not hesitate to use science when it suits them. They drive cars, take medications, use computers, fly in airplanes, read printed books, eat food, and live in houses that were all built with science. Religion hasn't built anything.
It is almost as if they would argue 1 plus 1 equals 3 if it were said in the Bible. You could show them 2 apples, demonstrate how when you put 1 apple and 1 apple together, there are 2 apples, and they would still say there were 3. It's no different.
I rarely write reviews about books on Amazon, but I am deeply concerned about the future of my children and the Earth in general, being run by religious fanatics. Religion and science are not different. They both aim to share the truth about the universe and world around us. The difference is that one is based on reason and evidence while the other is just whatever suits peoples' mental fancies and imaginations. Claims that aren't backed up by logical reason, more than an ancient and contradictory text, are baseless. Scientific claims that are proven false are abandoned immediately. Theories proven false must be abandoned if we are to survive. Religion should not be immune to this scrutiny.
The God Delusion makes an excellent case and creates awareness of these important issues. Hopefully more atheists will come out of hiding to show how few people actually are religious and help prove that religion is an obsolete, antiquated, and dying way of life and looking at the world. Hopefully the world will start growing up soon thanks to books like this.
Book Review: I lost my wife over what this book did to me
Summary: 5 Stars
This was one of the first few books on atheism I have read. It was life changing, eye-opening and I was never the same after reading it. Heck, I lost my Mormon wife because of what happened after I read this book (and a few others...she wasn't tolerant of it). I used to be a fully fledged Mormon...I even served a full time mission for the church and this book still got through to me. Back in my Mormon days, I was zealous, too. I had hundreds of scriptures memorized and was into all sorts of deep doctrines. What a fool I was then (and am still today; it's amazing how little we actually know...religion isn't even close to helping though).
I remember when I purchased this book, the idea that a devil or demon was somehow manipulating my actions were still in the back of my mind (I know, isn't that absurd!) but I chose to persevere and how glad I am that I fought against the years of my religious conditioning. The inculcating drivel of the thousands of times I sang hymnals, went to church and read one LDS book after another came crashing down when I took that fateful step forward by deciding to purchase this book. I chose not to be offended like many of my friends and family get if I try to even hint at the idea that their belief system doesn't pass the slightest muster.
It was exhilarating and felt so dangerous to explore this sort of thinking and a book that would certainly lay such information on me in the most articulate way possible based on several recommendations from my non-believing friends. If you are in the same boat now as I was then and are reading this review, I implore you to keep going! Satan will not manifest! You will not go to hell! You are in the final stretch to breaking through a mental prison that has its irrational and cult-like grasp on you.
If I could give two books as a recommendation to new atheists/agnostics/etc. in general, it would be this book and Sam Harris' End of Faith. This one being the more scholarly in nature (keep your dictionary close by) but just mentally refreshing in so many ways. Some lines in the book, especially in reference to the personal character of the Abrahamic/Islamic view of God are downright damming because Dawkins is able to articulate what and who they are based on Biblical passages so well. The Bible alone damns the absurdity of the idea of a personal God, his commandments and character. But, that's a small taste. There is a smorgasbord of content here. Some of the things I uncovered, like Einstein's true pantheistic beliefs (based on his own words and bigoted responses from his peers) seem to have never been clear but now are.
If I had one disagreement, it is that he finds agnosticism a poor philosophy. I couldn't disagree more. Personally, I find agnosticism great and I am serious about it while being able to pretty much agree with most of the content of this book. I don't claim to know everything but I am on board with the peril organized religion has shackled humanity with and Dawkins' argues that with absolute clarity.
Book Review: An Exciting, Inspiring Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked this book up on a bit of a whim. I'd barely heard of Dawkins but I was intrigued. What I found was one of the most exciting, inspirational books I've read in a very long time. Admittedly, my concept of God had already grown very nebulous over time because it had to in order to deal with all the inherent contradictions in my faith. After having to ignore, compromise, downplay and spin so many aspects of my faith it all started to feel a little pointless. But what was the choice? In my family (especially extended family) Atheism was on par with Satanism. Even when I grew older and knew this to be false, the impression was already made and hard to shake off.
The God Delusion was like a stiff breeze that blew the sad little cloud of what was left of my religious beliefs away. And only after did I realize what a heavy burden that cloud was.
I'd also recommend checking out the audio book, which is incredibly entertaining to listen to as Dawkins and his co-reader (his wife, talented actress Lalla Ward) are very gifted orators.
Perhaps what is the most amazing aspect of the book is that Dawkins is thorough without ever lingering on a subject so long he might lose his audience, but often encourages further reading on subjects should the reader wish to do so. He also explains scientific concepts that-on the face of it-could be considered fairly complex in a straightforward, easily understood way.
I think Dawkins does a creditable job of examining what the other side has to say, and debunking their points one after the other. At the end of the day, will this book "convert" those readers whose beliefs lie firmly entrenched in religious ideologies? Possibly not, because they'll probably be encouraged not too by their religious leaders and peers. It is a shame, because while Dawkins can be very cutting he is always careful to back up his assertions with facts and reasoning.
The power of the book, in my estimation, does not lie in its negation of religion-as effective as it is. The truly inspirational part of the book is that Dawkins provides an alternative to religion. Atheism is revealed for what it truly is-far away from the fearful, whispered connotations I grew up with. I think Dawkins makes a great case that a life lived without God cam be just as moral, meaningful and inspiring as one with a God. In fact, it is more so because a true understanding of the brevity of what it is to be a living being means that life needs to be lived as fully as possible. The intricate complexity of the world around us becomes so astonishing as to be moving.
I'd consider myself an artist and a creative type first and foremost. But this book has rekindled my interest in science as a whole and has given me a large measure of hope for what the human race might be able to achieve without the superstition of the past and emboldened myself to proudly say that I AM an Atheist.