Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a good introduction to atheism., 8 Aug 1999
By A Customer
In my opinion, this book provides a good introduction to atheism and related philosophical issues. The hostile-sounding title might put some people off, but Smith makes it clear in the first section of his book that the primary focus of the book is whether or not theistic claims should be accepted as true. If one can show that theistic belief if flawed (the case against god), then one supports atheism.Smith then proceeds to do just that for the remainder of his book. He covers basic and important subjects such as god concepts, faith, morality, and common arguments for god. Smith argues that no rational person can accept theism as true and he discusses the philosophical problems of many theistic arguments. Smith writes in a non-technical style, and this may be why the book is popular. I think Smith's book could serve as a good starting point for approaching more thorough and technical books on atheism. Smith spends much of the book analyzing Christianity, and I would have preferred it if he spent more time looking at theism in general. Throughout the book, he describes major flaws in Christianity, and after awhile it appears as though he's just whipping a dead horse. Of course, it's a dead horse that many people insist on riding, so I suppose that critiquing it from several perspectives may help to convince some of the riders that they're not going anywhere on that beast. If you are a philosophical layperson who wants to learn more about atheism, then this is the book you should read. Now, if I may digress, it appears that some of the reviews posted before mine do not really review the book at all. Instead, they provide theistic arguments that supposedly refute the arguments that Smith makes in his book. It is interesting to note that the theistic arguments offered below are actually covered in Smith's book, where he shows them to be flawed. It makes me wonder if some of those reviewers actually read or understood the book.
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40 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rationality versus superstition: towards a better morality, 16 Mar 2006
The September 11 attack on the twin towers and subsequent terrorist attacks in Madrid and London were a stark reminder of the moral depravity that can arise out of the naive belief that we are pathetically subservient to some all-seeing, all-knowing deity who will reward us for acts that any rational person can see are wholly wicked, and who will punish us for disobedience. Yet those who claim to believe in a loving, forgiving, redeeming deity seem unable to see that their beliefs are no less naive and irrational. And because they have no way to really understand what their unknowable god may want from them, they each interpret his will according to their own prejudices, often leading to argument and dissension amongst them which may even turn to violence and hatred (try to find any Christian compassion or forgiveness in the ranting of the Reverend Ian Paisley talking about the Catholics in Northern Ireland!).
For thousands of years, those who dared doubt the existence of a deity were persecuted and condemned. Yet the last few hundred years has seen a big change in many enlightened countries, with the findings of science striking at the very heart of scriptural certainties. But there still remain many who prefer to cling to the comfort-blanket of belief than to grow up and think for themselves. Nowhere is this more true than in the sphere of morality, where believers turn to the absolute certainty of ancient texts rather than countenance accepting a more flexible humanist perspective based on simple principles that have ensured our outstanding success as social animals.
For many atheists, the persistence of irrational belief and the holier-than-thou attitude of those who profess a monopoly on truth is a scourge that brings little that is positive to the world. They simply cannot see any basis to surrender their rationality and accept that there is anything behind the notion of God other than wishful thinking or neuroticism.
In his powerful book, George H. Smith provides a clear and concise analysis of the claims of those who believe and shows how none of them make any kind of sense. He also looks at the moral implications of belief. He has thrown down a challenge to those who believe: let them now provide a convincing refutation of his arguments or forever hold their peace!
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24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great account of Atheism., 28 Sep 2005
If your not sure about the whole 'god' thing then this book should clear things up for you. However, if like me, you're already an Atheist then there is really nothing new here. Smith does a fantastic job of covering all aspects of religion and life and offers the logical Atheistic view point and explanation, but if you are already of a similar opinion you may be wasting your time. I am in no way knocking the book, as I think it is a great account of the Atheistic perception of the world, one which I share completely. If you are in the middle ground and are curious about the Atheist perspective then this book will be enlightening and I recommend it entirely. I find it useful when I am in discussion with those of the creationist viewpoint. It really is difficult to argue against Smiths thorough account of his views. I think this book should be dropped from the sky above Iraq and other hot spots of religious fundamentalism. It should at least be part of the school curriculum in the west.
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