The next book I plan on reading is The God Delusion, I was just woundering what everyone what about it.
Never read it, in fact I haven't read any atheist books, I try not to because I know they will piss me off. I did see the TV version of it though, it was enjoyable but it made me want to punch a nun.
Quote from: Crow on December 19, 2011, 06:27:13 AM
Never read it, in fact I haven't read any atheist books, I try not to because I know they will piss me off. I did see the TV version of it though, it was enjoyable but it made me want to punch a nun.
When I see a habit I think of those pointy hats the KKK wear. They are all hate groups
Worth a read. I read it in 2006. It makes some good points.
Personally I think Against All Gods: Six Polemics on Religion and an Essay on Kindness by AC Grayling does a better job in a lot less pages and lets the reader make up their own mind.
TGD is essential reading if you want to understand Dawkins' mind set rather than the strawman 'Dawkins' created by a limited number of very verbose hate filled theists.
Quote from: unholy1971 on December 19, 2011, 03:46:45 AM
The next book I plan on reading is The God Delusion, I was just woundering what everyone what about it.
I remember reading it awhile back and having a problem with Dawkins' personality (which seems more abrasive on paper than in TV interviews) altho no with anything he wrote. Personally, my favorite living science writer is Chet Raymo.
Decent book. Just don't take Dawkins as an expert on Christian theology, a subject more subtle than he sometimes would lead you to believe. I don't have specific examples as the book wasn't a recent read for me and my memory sucks. I merely recommend you double-check any of his claims about Christian theology before taking them as, uh, gospel. ;)
My favorite writer in this genre is the Baron d'Holbach, who wrote in the latter 1700's. His main output is available for free or very cheap on Kindle, and here's a list:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=baron+d%27holbach
Quote from: BooksCatsEtcI remember reading it awhile back and having a problem with Dawkins' personality (which seems more abrasive on paper than in TV interviews) altho not with anything he wrote....
I agree. It's well worth a read, and in fact I have it on my shelf, but to me Dawkins is not the best vehicle for his ideas.
I've read it, and although I respect Dawkins, it wasn't as good as his biology books. He does bring up some interesting sociological facts, but when it comes to his thoughts on religion, read a bit more carefully. I do think he tends to think too black-and-white on some issues, and his thoughts on religion going away and that that would solve many of the world's problems seem to be a bit naive.
He attacks a very limited idea of what 'religion' is. He sees it as strictly notional rather than practical, for instance. To him, it's a failed philosophy - a proposal backed up by argument that deals with the abstract nature of the universe in a way that purports to be based in rationality - which isn't necessarily how religious people see it. I can sort of ken how some religious folks might view him as silly or as having missed the point.
It would be a great book, though, for an unbelieving child at a deeply religious school. It deals with the duller religious apology pretty well. Just don't expect it to help you in a grown-up debate with an educated Christian.
Quote from: Stevil on December 19, 2011, 07:16:54 AM
Quote from: Crow on December 19, 2011, 06:27:13 AM
Never read it, in fact I haven't read any atheist books, I try not to because I know they will piss me off. I did see the TV version of it though, it was enjoyable but it made me want to punch a nun.
When I see a habit I think of those pointy hats the KKK wear. They are all hate groups
Interesting comparring nuns to the KKK. I like it though, because in itself organised religions bring more hate into the world than anything else.
As for the GD topic, I keep meaning to read the book. I hear a lot of mixed reviews, but I still wanna read it myself.
It was okay..nothing new. Dawkins is a lot better at science than he is at philosophy of religion.
I've read it, but I like his videos better. The book was ok, but not too well-written as far as my tastes go.
Quote from: Asmodean on December 19, 2011, 09:03:43 PM
I've read it, but I like his videos better. The book was ok, but not too well-written as far as my tastes go.
What books do you reccomend by Dawkins? ^_^
Quote from: Sweetdeath on December 19, 2011, 09:05:54 PM
Quote from: Asmodean on December 19, 2011, 09:03:43 PM
I've read it, but I like his videos better. The book was ok, but not too well-written as far as my tastes go.
What books do you reccomend by Dawkins? ^_^
The Blind Watchmaker is good. It deals with the falacy that there is 'design' in nature.
Quote from: Tank on December 19, 2011, 09:08:23 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on December 19, 2011, 09:05:54 PM
Quote from: Asmodean on December 19, 2011, 09:03:43 PM
I've read it, but I like his videos better. The book was ok, but not too well-written as far as my tastes go.
What books do you reccomend by Dawkins? ^_^
The Blind Watchmaker is good. It deals with the falacy that there is 'design' in nature.
Sweet. Added to my next read list.
I'm about 1/4 the way through TGD. I find Dawkins hate of all things "God" kind of funny. Most people hate things to that degree because of feeling threatened by it. That's how I interpret his writing style.
(On a side note, I find Dawkins afraid of debate with Craig. His reason(s)...because Craig is "nobody" and he would rather debate a priest, bishop...and he's not worth his time..."I'm too busy". LOL. Words that seem to me (maybe in my bias) that acknowledge his inability to "beat" Craig.
I know, I know...this from a Christian...bla, bla, bla. It is how I feel though. :) There is one person I would love Dawkins to debate. His name is Dr. Desmond Ford of Australia. (not unknown in the Christian community and especially in the SDA community) A brilliant theologian and scholar. Brilliant mind. It would be quite interesting IMHO. He has an almost weekly talk on Friday nights...mostly a bible study type talk.)
I've never seen Dawkins debate. Hitchens is great. Damn it, I miss him. T_T
Quote from: Tank on December 19, 2011, 07:38:06 AM
TGD is essential reading if you want to understand Dawkins' mind set rather than the strawman 'Dawkins' created by a limited number of very verbose hate filled theists.
This is true. I enjoyed TGD nearly as much as Sam Harris'
Letter To A Christian Nation - now
that packs a plenty of punches per page.
Quote from: AnimatedDirt on December 19, 2011, 10:16:08 PM
(On a side note, I find Dawkins afraid of debate with Craig. His reason(s)...because Craig is "nobody" and he would rather debate a priest, bishop...and he's not worth his time..."I'm too busy". LOL. Words that seem to me (maybe in my bias) that acknowledge his inability to "beat" Craig.
I think RD has stated that he's pretty much done with debating fundies and the like because he's been there and done that, and also because he's getting daily requests form such people who just want to put it on their resume that they've been granted a debate with RD, and he's had enough of dignifying their nonsense by doing so. Add to that Uncle Dawk is rather prolific with his biology books, and I expect he'd rather do what he does best.
I think it's worth remembering that TGD is very much an entry-level book for people who may not have much of a background in theology, religious philosophy or related disciplines. If you've done any academic study around such topics, read reasonably widely or even hung out on atheist forums for a while then the chances are that your knowledge may be both wider and deeper than what is on offer in TGD. Dawkins isn't really a religious specialist, and consequently he does write in a style attractive to the layman, which is more appealing than some musty headfuck tome from a Masters Degree reading list. With that in mind, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some more seasoned readers may find it a little disappointing, but personally I still think it is a very good book and well worth a read.
Quote from: squidfetish on December 19, 2011, 11:38:09 PM
but personally I still think it is a very good book and well worth a read.
I'm finding it enjoyable. I don't mind reading/hearing the 'other sides' POV which in a lot of cases is worthy. I can't understand why God does or doesn't do certain things. How could I expect a non-believer to. :)