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117 reviews for:
Why I Am Not a Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects
Bertrand Russell
3.94 AVERAGE
117 reviews for:
Why I Am Not a Christian: And Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects
Bertrand Russell
3.94 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Whilst Russell's views were decades ahead of his time, this book seemed to be a bit of a hodgepodge of what felt like random opinions thrown in throughout.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
You just have to read this. Even if you are a Christian, you should read about every point of view, to form or change (or not) your own. Russell explains complicated things which such clarity, a little of humor... It doesn't get tedious, at all.
Take "The argument of design", for instance.
Funny. You could then talk about free will and that is acceptable; we could discuss it until we reach the point of uncomfortable silence because we both know we are not going to change our minds, and then we'll have a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and never leave the safe "weather conversation" zone, again. Or, at least, for a couple of days. Because, if I am one of the products on which design in the universe is based... That is something only my mom would say.
Anyway, my point is, he is that clear. His thoughts are written with the wit and simplicity of great philosophers. The moral and emotional questions are a key ingredient in this brilliant essay that tries to explain "a religion based primarily and mainly upon fear". You can like it or not, but it is still a memorable work.
Jun 12, 14
* Also on my blog.
Take "The argument of design", for instance.
I really cannot believe it. Do you think that, if you were granted omnipotence and omniscience and millions of years in which to perfect your world, you could produce nothing better than the Ku Klux Klan, the Fascisti, and Mr. Winston Churchill? Really I am not much impressed with the people who say: "Look at me: I am such a splendid product that there must have been design in the universe."
Therefore, although it is of course a gloomy view to suppose that life will die out -- at least I suppose we may say so, although sometimes when I contemplate the things that people do with their lives I think it is almost a consolation -- it is not such as to render life miserable.
Funny. You could then talk about free will and that is acceptable; we could discuss it until we reach the point of uncomfortable silence because we both know we are not going to change our minds, and then we'll have a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and never leave the safe "weather conversation" zone, again. Or, at least, for a couple of days. Because, if I am one of the products on which design in the universe is based... That is something only my mom would say.
Anyway, my point is, he is that clear. His thoughts are written with the wit and simplicity of great philosophers. The moral and emotional questions are a key ingredient in this brilliant essay that tries to explain "a religion based primarily and mainly upon fear". You can like it or not, but it is still a memorable work.
Jun 12, 14
* Also on my blog.
Written in 1927, with so much insight and truth. Having been a victim of a religious "Christian" cult, I agree 100% with Mr. Russell.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
A collection of essays on the problematic nature of religion. Russell succintly counters arguments for religion, such as the first cause argument, natural law argument, argument from design, etc. He believes that a good world needs a free intelligence, and not a reliance on religion based on fear.
This collection of essays is interesting, not for any particular contemporary reasons, but instead because of the light it casts on the development of free thought. It's not an easy read because of the nature of the logical writing and the fact that it was written long enough ago that there is an unfamiliar quality to the meter and rhythm of the prose. That being said, as a survey of Russell's thoughts on religion one can do scarce better.
First few and final essays are very good. Some of the ones in between lack a little in connection to the title, but are still informative.
Good job putting it all together. Inspiring content for sure.
Good job putting it all together. Inspiring content for sure.