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tanja_alina_berg's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very clear guide out of religious misconceptions. Having been brought up thoroughly Christian and completely indoctrinated - well, almost, since nobody told me to not believe in evolution until it was too late - it took me nearly three full decades to leave religion behind. I was terrified, it was like letting go of a safety blanket. As if I was 3 years old at the time and not nearly 30. This book would have comforted me and helped me along. It still does, even if it brings me nothing new.
It shows that most of us are atheists when it comes to Greek or Norse Gods, to just name a few examples. That the Christian God is quite malevolent and jealous and that morality does not come from the commandments or believing in a watcher in the sky. It gives an alternative explanation to creation, showing that living creatures are not designed, even if they appear that way.
It’s been 15 years since I lost religion. I relish in my freedom, other than this, very little in my life or how I behave has changed. There are definitely fewer conundrums - there is no need to contemplate how god allows suffering. There is no supernatural being NOT intervening because there isn’t one. The burden of proof is on the making the most outlandish claim. I can’t prove that pixies, unicorns or leprechauns don’t exist - that doesn’t mean they do. We are wired to believe, it’s been vital for our survival as a species. It doesn’t mean we have to.
It shows that most of us are atheists when it comes to Greek or Norse Gods, to just name a few examples. That the Christian God is quite malevolent and jealous and that morality does not come from the commandments or believing in a watcher in the sky. It gives an alternative explanation to creation, showing that living creatures are not designed, even if they appear that way.
It’s been 15 years since I lost religion. I relish in my freedom, other than this, very little in my life or how I behave has changed. There are definitely fewer conundrums - there is no need to contemplate how god allows suffering. There is no supernatural being NOT intervening because there isn’t one. The burden of proof is on the making the most outlandish claim. I can’t prove that pixies, unicorns or leprechauns don’t exist - that doesn’t mean they do. We are wired to believe, it’s been vital for our survival as a species. It doesn’t mean we have to.
starringskie's review against another edition
1.0
A beginner's guide? More like a kiddie guide, with annoyingly juvenile writing, simplistic argumentation, and repetitiveness. Really, I thought about starting a drinking game every time Dawkins wrote "We'll come back to that later", but then I'd need a new liver, and humans haven't evolved to do that yet.
It's funny to read things like "And that's precisely why we shouldn't be getting our morals, our 'right and wrong', our 'do and don't' from the Bible" (p. 81) and "Our modern morality, whether we are religious or not, is very different from biblical morality. Our Quranic morality. Thank goodness" (p. 99) from someone who has come out as culturally Christian.
While I'm thankful for what Dawkins and the new atheists did to bring the conversation about god's existence to the forefront of our debates, this kind of writing is something we have moved past, and so should most of these people. After all, while Dawkins is a believer in science, he can only accept what our society already does and cannot understand simple things like transgender people existing.
If you want to learn about atheism, read Hitchens. If you want to learn about evolution, read Darwin. If you don't want to read braindead takes from an old guy who had his moment to shine and cannot let go of the spotlight, block Dawkins on Twitter.
It's funny to read things like "And that's precisely why we shouldn't be getting our morals, our 'right and wrong', our 'do and don't' from the Bible" (p. 81) and "Our modern morality, whether we are religious or not, is very different from biblical morality. Our Quranic morality. Thank goodness" (p. 99) from someone who has come out as culturally Christian.
While I'm thankful for what Dawkins and the new atheists did to bring the conversation about god's existence to the forefront of our debates, this kind of writing is something we have moved past, and so should most of these people. After all, while Dawkins is a believer in science, he can only accept what our society already does and cannot understand simple things like transgender people existing.
If you want to learn about atheism, read Hitchens. If you want to learn about evolution, read Darwin. If you don't want to read braindead takes from an old guy who had his moment to shine and cannot let go of the spotlight, block Dawkins on Twitter.
dyslexa3's review against another edition
4.0
While my own journey in atheism has evolved beyond the introductory level, I found this book to be a worthwhile read. Its deliberate approach to serving as 'A Beginner's Guide to Atheism' is precisely what makes it valuable for those who are just embarking on their exploration of atheistic beliefs. It harkened back to a time when I was in that same position, grappling with questions and seeking understanding.
For individuals in the early stages of their journey towards atheism, I believe this book can be a valuable companion, much like Richard Dawkins' 'The God Delusion' was for me during my early years as an atheist. It adeptly fulfills its role as a Beginner's Guide, offering insights and perspectives that can help others navigate their own path to a more nuanced understanding of atheism.
For individuals in the early stages of their journey towards atheism, I believe this book can be a valuable companion, much like Richard Dawkins' 'The God Delusion' was for me during my early years as an atheist. It adeptly fulfills its role as a Beginner's Guide, offering insights and perspectives that can help others navigate their own path to a more nuanced understanding of atheism.
lyra06corr's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.75
Perfect for teenagers, first part utterly funny for adults too, but the mid-end it's too basic.
msroark's review against another edition
3.0
A bit simplistic but good for those reaching out and questioning faith vs atheism.
fundyman's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
quick summary of God delusion and some evol biology
britt_brooke's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t realize Dawkins had a new book until I heard him on Dax Shepard’s podcast a few days ago. That was quite an interview. Dax - an atheist - was totally fanboying and I loved it! Anyway, this book is insightful. “You don’t have to believe in a higher power to be good.” Simply stated, yet so true.
I do think Dawkins could be a bit less condescending with his book titles, but I like what he has to say within.
I do think Dawkins could be a bit less condescending with his book titles, but I like what he has to say within.
horizon_brave's review against another edition
2.0
I’m keeping this review pretty short. This book is really nothing new…at all… In fact, I was just curious and I checked the publication date… December 2019…so some years after “The Greatest Show on Earth” and “The God Delusion”….I bring his up because as interesting as the material is…it’s all rehash of those two books. It feels like, and I don’t mean this to sound as harsh as it will, that Dawkins needed something to publish and having said all he wanted to in his other books, he just put out a greatest hits. There’s no purpose to this book except to create a summary of his thoughts in The Greatest Show on Earth and The God Delusion. And their fine points, it’s nice to have a collected version… but it’s nothing at all that we haven’t heard before. In fact the “A Beginners Guide” tag line added to this book is almost vital. This is something you give to someone who you want to whet their appetite and get them interested… but then again, if you’re going to do that, you may as well just have them read the full book…I don’t know, I can’t give this a high score only because it doesn’t really provide anything different than what he’s written before..but I can’t ding him for it to hard either. The book begins as if it’s some sort of anecdote about him growing up and realizing god is not real after being raised in a religious house… I thought it would maybe stick with this narrative and the whole book would be events and more pointed reasons why he converted….no he just leaves that part behind and goes full on Dawkins. Which I enjoy..but I was hoping for something different this go round.
jameshultgren's review against another edition
3.0
While I appreciate that Dawkins’ acerbic style is a large part of his appeal, I do feel that, for a “beginner’s guide”, the derisive and superior anti-theist attitude in the opening sections will undoubtedly turn off some new non-believers, still tender in their atheism (and is still a tad confronting for those less tender!)
That said, I found this very easy to read and, though most of the information and insight was not new to me, it provided a comprehensive summary of thought. The call to courage really met me where I am currently, and I felt I enjoyed the book more the further into it I was.
That said, I found this very easy to read and, though most of the information and insight was not new to me, it provided a comprehensive summary of thought. The call to courage really met me where I am currently, and I felt I enjoyed the book more the further into it I was.