Mood: Content
Listening to: Scooby Do
In the interest of returning to some-what rational posts rather than just emotionaly driven ones, I decided to blog on a couple books I have been reading for the past few weeks.
As you may or may not know, I'm an atheist. I have been for a few years now. However, I was brought up in a decently traditional Dutch reformed Christian family. I had seen Christopher Hutchins previously on Jon Stewart hawking his book and have been wanting to read it ever since.
This book was interesting for a few reasons. As an atheist, I am often puzzled at the motivation that people have for so staunchly sticking to their religions. This book investigated it in detail. While the title indicates an attack on "God", Hutchins pretty much skewers organized religions (mostly western, but also eastern) as well. He brings up some very interesting points for those who are familiar with religion, the bible, the Quran, and the Talmud. He examines how religion has influenced society and the power structure.
On a negative note, Hutchins is negative to the point of being vitriolic. He comes off as both defensive and scornful of anything at all relgious. He even goes after Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama. It's a little hard to read past the scorn to the logical rebuttals of religions and God at times.
Over all, I found the book very interesting and logical, even if he was a little angry about it in the process. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you are already an atheist. Even if you are, you will probably still find it a little offensive. I found the attacks on Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama a little much. I'm all for the dissection of organized religion and a patriarchal, power hungry god. Not so much for people who have done a great deal for humanity and happen to be associated with a religion. As Hutchins himself mentions, good deeds are not intrinsically tied to religion. It's possible to separate the people and the deeds from the religions they represented.
Verdict: Read it if you're an atheist and want to examine the need for religion in the masses and all the negative influences that religion and god have had on society. Keep and open mind and try to see past the negativity.
Happy New Year to everyone. May you continue to find happiness.
Have a good week.
Becky
Listening to: Scooby Do
In the interest of returning to some-what rational posts rather than just emotionaly driven ones, I decided to blog on a couple books I have been reading for the past few weeks.
As you may or may not know, I'm an atheist. I have been for a few years now. However, I was brought up in a decently traditional Dutch reformed Christian family. I had seen Christopher Hutchins previously on Jon Stewart hawking his book and have been wanting to read it ever since.
This book was interesting for a few reasons. As an atheist, I am often puzzled at the motivation that people have for so staunchly sticking to their religions. This book investigated it in detail. While the title indicates an attack on "God", Hutchins pretty much skewers organized religions (mostly western, but also eastern) as well. He brings up some very interesting points for those who are familiar with religion, the bible, the Quran, and the Talmud. He examines how religion has influenced society and the power structure.
On a negative note, Hutchins is negative to the point of being vitriolic. He comes off as both defensive and scornful of anything at all relgious. He even goes after Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama. It's a little hard to read past the scorn to the logical rebuttals of religions and God at times.
Over all, I found the book very interesting and logical, even if he was a little angry about it in the process. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you are already an atheist. Even if you are, you will probably still find it a little offensive. I found the attacks on Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama a little much. I'm all for the dissection of organized religion and a patriarchal, power hungry god. Not so much for people who have done a great deal for humanity and happen to be associated with a religion. As Hutchins himself mentions, good deeds are not intrinsically tied to religion. It's possible to separate the people and the deeds from the religions they represented.
Verdict: Read it if you're an atheist and want to examine the need for religion in the masses and all the negative influences that religion and god have had on society. Keep and open mind and try to see past the negativity.
Happy New Year to everyone. May you continue to find happiness.
Have a good week.
Becky
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