Christians, (or people of any faith i guess) Have you read the book "The God Delusion"? And if so, has it shaken your faith? How has it affected you?
The God Delusion · Books
From Wikipedia
The God Delusion
Author Dawkins, Richard
Subject(s) Religion
Genre(s) Science, philosophy
Publisher Bantam Books
Publication date October 2, 2006
Media type Hardcover, Paperback, Audio book
ISBN 0-618-68000-4
Dewey Decimal 211/.8 22
The God Delusion is a 2006 bestselling[1] non-fiction book by British biologist Richard Dawkins, professorial fellow of New College, Oxford,[2][3] and inaugural holder of the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford.
In The God Delusion, Dawkins contends that a supernatural creator almost certainly does not exist and that belief in a personal god qualifies as a delusion, which he defines as a persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence. He is sympathetic to Robert Pirsig’s observation in Lila that "when one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion."
My motives for posting this question have been questioned. Instead of replying to individuals, let me just explain why i asked this. I am 34. Stricly catholic family and area (southwest louisiana cajun). Attended catholic school until i begain college, and was an alter boy. I have read, not just the bible, but many other pro-christian books, as well as TGD and other books by Dawson and other like minded individuals. I believe you can NEVER understand the truth of anything unless you study BOTH sides of an arguement, because therein lies the truth. Hidden in between the lines. I will not state my beliefs, I just wondered how many christians wont even consider studying both sides in order to make up their own minds. Some of you said you read dawkins and threw it in the trash. GOOD FOR YOU! You are a reasonible person who considered the evidence and made up your own mind. For those who fear reading it, dont be a sheep. Study both sides of a debate before commming to a conclusion.
most religious people won’t even read it. i was told not to when i was religious, don’t even look into things that could destroy your faith, that’s what you are told. then the religions wonder why so many people belong to OTHER faiths and don’t believe theirs.
@JEWS – what exactly are you trying to prove. all that points out that Dawkins is reasonable and looks at several sides of the arguments.
June 21st, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Why would any Christian read a book by an atheist? What does light have to do with the darkness?
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June 21st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Religious types are not swayed by facts.
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June 21st, 2010 at 7:09 pm
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. –Jesus is the truth, Dawkins is a liar.
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June 21st, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I read my hardback copy of The God Delusion, and then threw it in the trash can where it belonged.
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June 21st, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Yep, but I’m pretty sure professed fans on here haven’t.
Richard Dawkins
The God Delusion Page 278
"Stalin was an atheist and Hitler probably wasn’t; but even if he was, the bottom line of the Stalin/Hitler debating point is very simple. Individual atheists may do evil things, but they do not do evil things in the name of atheism."
The God Delusion
Richard Dawkins Page 273
"The fact that Nazi belt buckles were inscribed with ‘Got mit uns’ (God with us) doesn’t prove anything"
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June 21st, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Yes I read it. No it did not sway my faith, it may actually have strengthened it.
Dawkins is a pompous blowhard. I agree with Bill Maher when he said Dawkins has more dogma than any other religion.
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Jadens Mom – not swayed by facts…..hmmm, if you read the answers here I may suggest you are one ignoring the facts.
June 21st, 2010 at 9:24 pm
most religious people won’t even read it. i was told not to when i was religious, don’t even look into things that could destroy your faith, that’s what you are told. then the religions wonder why so many people belong to OTHER faiths and don’t believe theirs.
@JEWS – what exactly are you trying to prove. all that points out that Dawkins is reasonable and looks at several sides of the arguments.
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June 21st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
i wont read something created by the illuminati
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June 21st, 2010 at 10:08 pm
No. In my assessment, it is just shy of being a masterpiece…of rhetoric. His remorseless yet well lettered derision came across as a more developed version of "Theists are big dummy heads"
The really positive value was in the reviews. It is good to find Atheists and skeptics more worthy of the name, specifically the ones who were very specific and consistent in their panning of this book in particular, and the ‘new Atheism’ in general. It is nice to have more names of the more honorable opposition. If any opponent makes any impact, it is such as these.
Ware you hunt fundies, lest you become one. RD has stared into the theistic abyss too long.
Add: this is the problem with deviating from the question (singular) format. YES I did read it. The no was regarding the faith question. No, I did not read all of it, for the same reason that once I read a drunken masterpiece I don’t throw good time after bad money. Hit the high point ‘arguments’ if you can call them that.
I’d recommend something f/ some of the members of the skeptics society. TGD is junk food.
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June 21st, 2010 at 10:23 pm
As a progressive Christian, yes I’ve labeled myself, I think all sides of this issue should read BOTH sides. So often I read responses that are ignorant on both sides.
People of Faith – do not be afraid to read or study differing opinions, you may understand your faith even deeper.
Atheists – do not be so condescending to those who have found their truth. Read their great thinkers – conservatives and liberals, some of their beliefs may benefit you.
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