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clouds_in_my_tea's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but in my mind there was too much stacked against it. I had no problem to the first part of the authors upbringing in Christianity, but it kind of went downhill from there for me. As a person who is also finding their way out of Christianity I found the part of his questioning and leaving the faith lacking. He didn't really go into how he started questioning or his process at all. He talked about it, but i felt kept it very vague.
Part 2 of this book was way over my head and felt like a lot of double talking and rambling to me. Part 4 I found very boring and felt like one long commercial for his organization.
Part 2 of this book was way over my head and felt like a lot of double talking and rambling to me. Part 4 I found very boring and felt like one long commercial for his organization.
stevereally's review against another edition
4.0
A worthwhile book to read no matter how much familiarity you have with various arguments about God and religion (especially Christianity), but various parts will have different amounts (or kinds) of value depending on that familiarity.
The stuff about about Barker's own background and experiences and about the work of the Freedom from Religion Foundation may be the material of the most interest to non-believers who have already done much reading critical of theism and Christianity.
The more impersonal, though quite substantive, arguments he makes for atheism are still worthwhile and interesting for anyone, but probably of the most value to skeptics, doubters, or believers who are sympathetic or open-minded but haven't considered these arguments at much depth before. Those such readers who engage with such material will get to consider the implications of their agreement or reasons for their disagreement.
The stuff about about Barker's own background and experiences and about the work of the Freedom from Religion Foundation may be the material of the most interest to non-believers who have already done much reading critical of theism and Christianity.
The more impersonal, though quite substantive, arguments he makes for atheism are still worthwhile and interesting for anyone, but probably of the most value to skeptics, doubters, or believers who are sympathetic or open-minded but haven't considered these arguments at much depth before. Those such readers who engage with such material will get to consider the implications of their agreement or reasons for their disagreement.
ryner's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard to imagine a more fervent believer than Dan Barker, a born-again Evangelical preacher and missionary from the age of 17. You might expect he'd be the least likely to lose his faith, but lose it he did -- from coming out as an atheist on Oprah in 1984 to becoming co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The initial autobiographical portion of the book eventually gives way to both philosophical arguments (e.g., how a being cannot be simultaneously both infinitely merciful and infinitely just), appeals to logic, and detailed descriptions of biblical inaccuracies and contradictions that refute the idea that it is the word of an omniscient, divine being.
I listen occasionally to the FFRF's weekly podcasts, but I'm not a particular fan of Barker as a host. I find his smug personality and flat humor rather off-putting and, while he's admittedly a gifted musician, I find most of his compositions almost unbearably corny. If it weren't for the show's fascinating guest interviews I wouldn't be listening at all. That said, Barker is much more likable and convincing on paper, and I wholeheartedly recommend this book. I enjoyed the philosophical reasoning, and I was also particularly fond of the chapter titled 'Dear Theologian,' a monologue of existential questioning directed from God to his human creation.
I listen occasionally to the FFRF's weekly podcasts, but I'm not a particular fan of Barker as a host. I find his smug personality and flat humor rather off-putting and, while he's admittedly a gifted musician, I find most of his compositions almost unbearably corny. If it weren't for the show's fascinating guest interviews I wouldn't be listening at all. That said, Barker is much more likable and convincing on paper, and I wholeheartedly recommend this book. I enjoyed the philosophical reasoning, and I was also particularly fond of the chapter titled 'Dear Theologian,' a monologue of existential questioning directed from God to his human creation.
mzjai117's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I listened to this book on Audible, it was read by the author himself. Some of my immediate reactions were that the author sounded like he had something in his mouth or that his his dentures were moving around. Then I realized it's probably his microphone picking all that up. It was frustrating. That's the only bad thing I can say about the book.
I gave this book book 3 .5 stars because by the end of it I really liked it. I really thought he would talk more about his life overall and his personal experience with leaving Christianity. I also liked that he gave numerous scriptures that showed the many inaccuracies within the bible. Towards the middle of the book it started reminding me of the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. I also liked that he gave the Greek words for certain words within the scriptures and showed how different versions of the bible used them to mean different things and how they could change the whole meaning of a particular scripture. The author also provided historical evidence against the possibility of Jesus by giving historical discrepancies from ancient writers.
I'm happy that he pointed out how certain verses of the bible have been used to support slavery(which I already knew)
How the new testament is second hand data written 60-80 years after the supposed crucifixion and how Paul never talks about Jesus historically.
I listened to this book on Audible, it was read by the author himself. Some of my immediate reactions were that the author sounded like he had something in his mouth or that his his dentures were moving around. Then I realized it's probably his microphone picking all that up. It was frustrating. That's the only bad thing I can say about the book.
I gave this book book 3 .5 stars because by the end of it I really liked it. I really thought he would talk more about his life overall and his personal experience with leaving Christianity. I also liked that he gave numerous scriptures that showed the many inaccuracies within the bible. Towards the middle of the book it started reminding me of the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. I also liked that he gave the Greek words for certain words within the scriptures and showed how different versions of the bible used them to mean different things and how they could change the whole meaning of a particular scripture. The author also provided historical evidence against the possibility of Jesus by giving historical discrepancies from ancient writers.
I'm happy that he pointed out how certain verses of the bible have been used to support slavery(which I already knew)
How the new testament is second hand data written 60-80 years after the supposed crucifixion and how Paul never talks about Jesus historically.
waynewaynus's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this, Dan Barker is a very interesting guy. Although there is a lot of rehashing arguments for and against God and bible errors. overall a good read.
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