An Atheist Defends Religion - A Book Review

don · 07-17-09 4:00 am

<a href="%20http://www.amazon.com/Athiest-Defends-Religion-Humanity-Without/dp/1592578543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247755617&sr=8-1" target="_blank">An Atheist Defends Religion</a> By Bruce Sheiman Alpha Books Review by Paula Parker<blockquote>Subtitled, “Why Humanity is Better Off with Religion Than Without It” this book’s title is admittedly provocative, causing a plethora of questions and comments, “What?” “Yeah, right, I bet he defends religion.” But don’t be tempted to dismiss this book without reading it. In fact, it is worth sharing with someone else in order to stimulate a conversation over the topic of Them vs. Us or “God exists” vs. “God is dead.” A self-proclaimed “aspiring theist” Sheiman presents a compelling argument in response to the militant atheists who proclaim the the rejection of God is a sign of intellectual superiority and will bring about the betterment of society. Instead, the author maintains that religion has been a force for good throughout history, for the individual, family, communities, globally and historically. When commenting on the argument that religion is responsible for many of the world’s atrocities, he writes, “Religion’s misdeeds make for provocative history, but the everyday good works of billions of people is the real history of religion, one that parallels the growth and prosperity of humankind. There are countless examples of individuals lifting themselves out of personal misery through faith. In the lives of these individuals, God is not a delusion, God is not a spell that must be broken – God is indeed great.” However, this book is not intended to simply prove that militant atheists are in the wrong. With abundant research, the author takes on the role of mediator, presenting arguments for both sides. He explains the benefits of science and religion in the world, the dangers of extremism on both sides and offers suggestions for the two to co-exist with respect. Does Sheiman answer all the questions in this debate? No. While the author tries to present the wide range of faith, from my position as a believer, he misses a number of key points. Based upon that, I would assume there are unbelievers who would claim the same thing. Does this mean An Atheist Defends Religion is not worth reading? Absolutely not. It is a calm, well-written and well-documented book and, if nothing more, it helps readers to understand their own belief system – whether religious or science-based – and encourages them to have a more understanding position towards those who disagree. An Atheist Defends Religion is available August 4. For more info: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m2u3qm" target="_blank">An Atheist Defends Religion</a> <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-2770-Christian-Entertainment-Examiner~y2009m7d16-An-Atheist-Defends-Religion-is-a-compelling-read" target=_top>http://www.examiner.com/x-2770-Christian-Entertain ment-Examiner~y2009m7d16-An-Atheist-Defends-Religi on-is-a-compelling-read</a> </blockquote>

neal · 07-17-09 1:13 pm

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:But don’t be tempted to dismiss this book without reading it.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>He is a Unitarian Universalist which is probably attended by half of those belonging to the Manhattan Atheist group. The author spent 13 years working for a gal from Tennessee. He knows publishing inside and out with a specialty in magazines. His old boss "is a director of Guideposts, Inc., publisher of Guideposts Magazine and a leading provider of other inspirational magazines, books and related products and ministry programs." So, he has somebody lined up with all the connections. I know several people that belong to multiple boards. If I wanted to get a favor done (like selling a book) I would know exactly who to go to.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:“God exists” vs. “God is dead.”<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>That should be 'God exists' vs. 'God does not exist'. “Santa exists” vs. “Santa is dead” doesn't make sense.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:A self-proclaimed “aspiring theist”....<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>Is that like being an "aspiring delusional"?<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:Sheiman presents a compelling argument in response to the militant atheists who proclaim the the rejection of God is a sign of intellectual superiority [??] and will bring about the betterment of society.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>BRING about a better society? Its already been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Enlightenment, with the theories of Adam Smith, Voltaire, David Hume, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, etc have brought tremendous freedoms to the everyday person, to society, and to the global population. I will look forward to his reasoning (or lack thereof) about what "type" of religion he is talking about. I hope he is able to explain the benefits of beating your wife, divorcing her by stating "I divorce thee" three times in succession, genital mutilation, and the death penalty for adultery. He could always get out of Manhattan periodically and give Iran a try. Or Somalia. Or Egypt. Or Saudi Arabia. Or Israel. Or India as an Hindu.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:... [T]he author maintains that religion has been a force for good throughout history, for the individual, family, communities, globally and historically.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>So were witch doctors. And food cultivation on your own plot. And slitting the throats of animals in order to eat them for protein and minerals such as iron. So what. Now we have replaced the witch doctor with modern medicine, the family garden with truck farming, and slitting the throats of animals with tofu and iron supplements.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:When commenting on the argument that religion is responsible for many of the world’s atrocities, he writes, “Religion’s misdeeds make for provocative history,<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>... and current circumstances in many parts of the world...<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:... but the everyday good works of billions of people is the real history of religion....<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>And billions of people do good things everyday who are agnostics, atheists, anti-theists, followers of Confucius, The Buddha, and Brigitte.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:... one that parallels the growth and prosperity of humankind.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> Not being in an ice age has more to do with growth and prosperity of humans (or for that matter, ALL life forms on this planet) than what superstition you believe.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:There are countless examples of individuals lifting themselves out of personal misery through faith.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>And placebos, valium, winning the LOTTO, hard work, education, birth control, chance meetings on public transportation, personal ads on Craigslist ....<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:In the lives of these individuals, God is not a delusion, God is not a spell that must be broken – God is indeed great.”<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>Lots of great things have been done by Santa Claus also. Ask any kid ignorant of the truth.<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:However, this book is not intended to simply prove that militant atheists are in the wrong.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>The intent of the book is to prove militant atheists wrong? Militant christians kill abortion doctors, hand out Bibles in Afghanistan, and used to go on witch hunts and crusades. An atheist speaks up and they are militant?<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!>quote:With abundant research, the author takes on the role of mediator, presenting arguments for both sides. He explains the benefits of science and religion in the world, the dangers of extremism on both sides and offers suggestions for the two to co-exist with respect.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>Its the theists that have a long history of killing each other and nontheists. What does an "extreme" scientist do? Kill a monkey during research? Tell the Creationists to keep their religion out of public schools? (Don't bring religion into my school and I won't think in your church). I would be interested in his research sources and conclusions. Seems like the old adage of "correlation does not mean causality" applies here. The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster clearly proves that His Noodleness is unhappy with the harassment of Pirates. HE is causing the global warming to show His wrath in response to the precipitous decline in the number of Pirates. Could be that, with all the surging number of pirates off the coast of Africa His Noodleness is relenting with the global warming a little, leading directly to the cooler summer the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing this year! <img src="http://www.atomorrow.net/discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0>

neal · 07-17-09 1:27 pm

I found that his publisher, Alpha Books, has a popular book titled Get It Done When You're Depressed by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston, Psy.D., ABPP. That's something that nontheists like Freud came up with. The Priest used to give you mental health counseling, cure your boil, show you how to ring a bird's neck just right so the mold would stay out of your hut, marry you, mutilate your genitals, perform your burial service and , in the case of european and early american churches, give you a family plot to be buried. ALL for one low price. Now, for the same price, all you get is a sermon that you can't stay awake through. And then they wonder why all the paying customers are not showing up any more like they used to?

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#1 07-17-09 4:00 am

An Atheist Defends Religion - A Book Review

#2 07-17-09 1:13 pm

Re: An Atheist Defends Religion - A Book Review

#3 07-17-09 1:27 pm

Re: An Atheist Defends Religion - A Book Review

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