Against All Gods
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Synopsis
Do religions have an inherent right to be respected? Is atheism itself a form of religion, and can there be such a thing as a 'fundamentalist atheist'? Are we witnessing a global revival in religious zeal, or do the signs point instead to religion's ultimate decline? In a series of bold, unsparing polemics, A C Grayling tackles these questions head on, exposing the dangerous unreason he sees at the heart of religious faith and highlighting the urgent need we have to reject it in all its forms, without compromise. In its place he argues for a set of values based on reason, reflection and sympathy, taking his cue from the great ethical tradition of western philosophy.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 69 people found the following review helpful
By M. de Boer
Format:Hardcover
This is a small booklet about why we shouldn't respect religion a priori, about Intelligent Design, and morality; it explains why there's no such thing as a fundamentalist atheist, and what's the difference between the words atheist, secularist, and humanist. Grayling prefers the word "naturalist" instead of atheist (the contrary of "supernaturalist", being any religious person), and he defends why quite convincingly. I read it in one afternoon, and although it's not a bad book at all, I didn't find any new, eye-opening issues in it. This is probably due to the fact I recently read The God Delusion (Dawkins), The End Of Faith, Letter To A Christian Nation (Harris), and Losing Faith in Faith (Barker), which cover the same issues thoroughly.
116 of 122 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the first Grayling book that I have read, and I'm very impressed. Although short, it is a classic example of quality rather than quantity - good points, well made, beautifully written, and attractively bound.
I won't compare it directly to "The God Delusion" (Dawkins) because it is a totally different kind of book (philosophical rather than scientific) but where Dawkins takes rather a long time to explain his (sometimes quite obscure) points, Grayling sums up what it means to live in a world without god(s) in succinct, satisfying chapters.
If you do believe in god (and I totally respect your right to do so...) then I still challenge you to read Grayling's book, and reflect on its sentiments. Many of us atheists have done the same with books such as "The Dawkins Delusion" (McGrath).
Enjoy!
I won't compare it directly to "The God Delusion" (Dawkins) because it is a totally different kind of book (philosophical rather than scientific) but where Dawkins takes rather a long time to explain his (sometimes quite obscure) points, Grayling sums up what it means to live in a world without god(s) in succinct, satisfying chapters.
If you do believe in god (and I totally respect your right to do so...) then I still challenge you to read Grayling's book, and reflect on its sentiments. Many of us atheists have done the same with books such as "The Dawkins Delusion" (McGrath).
Enjoy!
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By M. Nelson
Format:Hardcover
I'm thinking of buying copies as gifts for people who don't appear to understand the meaning of secularism, or who keep going on about Prof Richard Dawkins and others being 'fundamentalist atheists' (there's no such thing, says Grayling). I like the contents and I like the neat little hard-back binding.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A.C. does what he says on the cover
Another useful book in the struggle between reason and superstition; not so sure though about his essay on Kindness and its emphasis on joy (see: Better Never To Have Been Born by... Read more
Published 19 hours ago by bookish
4.0 out of 5 stars
A little book with big ideas
This is a brief book, organised in short chapters which makes easy reading, at least as far as the reading process itself is concerned. Read more
Published 21 months ago by RR Waller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really good arguments
This book presents some really useful and easy to understand arguments against religion.It is in a simple style that is easy to read and gets straight to the point.
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by Mr. J. G. Kay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Grayling
The fact that there are lots of reviews here ridiculing this book is a good sign that it is worth reading if you want to balance up in your mind other points of view to... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2009 by Mike
4.0 out of 5 stars
A nice little Rationalist primer
Not so much a book, as a long magazine article between hard covers, this is nevertheless a good, punchy primer for the putative non-believer. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2009 by GM Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great little read
I read this book fairly quickly (in a few hours) and found that it was to the point and carefully reasoned. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2009 by Mr. Simon Paul Lucas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Candid Essays
Brief but lucid and direct - cuts to the profound issues surrounding religion. I particularly found the final essay concerning humanism excellent.
Published on 14 Feb 2009 by Graham Keegan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Succinct and to the point. Written with wit and eloqunce. If Dawkins has a powerful right hook, Greyling simply knocks the opposition down with a few short jabs and then walks... Read more
Published on 23 April 2008 by James Ingram
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent introduction with some original points.
This short but excellent book will make a fine addition to my collection. While this book may be short it is by no means lacking a punch. A. C. Read more
Published on 1 April 2008 by Guy Dalziel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short but sweet
This is a tightly argued philosophical polemic against religion, but it is no less warm and accessible for that. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2007 by B. Murphy
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