steersky's review
5.0
Eloquent and brilliant, a perfect insight on the world of religion and the evils it inspires. Whether you're a non-believer or a devout, this book has something to say. It'll shake your faith, if you are faithful, and give clarity to those still in the dark. I wholly enjoy this, both the novel and the audiobook. Richard Dawkins is a genius.
caitey2003's review
3.0
Whilst there are some useful arguments against the existence of God that ive gathered from this book, im not sure how relevant a lot of these arguments are (for me at least).
As in, I find it useful to recite the probable evolutionary causes for morality, *spoiler, its not Jesus*, as well as the improbability that Christianity (or any leading religion) is a beacon of truth for existence of a divine being, because there have been countless religions that have been followed and faded with time, and so there is nothing particularly unique about Christianity (or again, any religion). The development of cults and cult mentality I also find to be a similarly strong argument to the last.
But its very seldom that I do meet a religious person who believes that the bible (or whatever holy book they’re into) is the literal truth - and this is what Dawkins bases a lot of his arguments upon, the ludicrous theologians; and so, I didnt tend to get tons of new arguments and thoughts from this book.
I also think Dawkins arguments tend to only be relevant in teleological debates - not so much ontological or cosmological.
As in, I find it useful to recite the probable evolutionary causes for morality, *spoiler, its not Jesus*, as well as the improbability that Christianity (or any leading religion) is a beacon of truth for existence of a divine being, because there have been countless religions that have been followed and faded with time, and so there is nothing particularly unique about Christianity (or again, any religion). The development of cults and cult mentality I also find to be a similarly strong argument to the last.
But its very seldom that I do meet a religious person who believes that the bible (or whatever holy book they’re into) is the literal truth - and this is what Dawkins bases a lot of his arguments upon, the ludicrous theologians; and so, I didnt tend to get tons of new arguments and thoughts from this book.
I also think Dawkins arguments tend to only be relevant in teleological debates - not so much ontological or cosmological.
laughterbynight's review against another edition
2.0
I’m puzzled as to why this book is still so highly recommended in some circles. It’s very dated, even for its year. I’m not religious and I never have been, so it felt like a good idea to look at some popular recommendations in the area. This one could easily be left out. The obsession with trying to make scientific connections with atheism just feels like a waste of time. If we’re arguing faith you can throw as much science as you want at it (though honestly the science on display here feels very surface level and presumptive) and it won’t make much of a difference.
The continual return to punching down at “tribal” folk is also a weird take. Of all the threatening religions out there I really don’t think they need to be the target. This is just very white and egotistical. I think that’s the best way to describe it. Were I not already a non believer this certainly wouldn’t sell me on it. If men like dawkins are the supposed pinnacles of the idea then it’s far past time to move forward.
The continual return to punching down at “tribal” folk is also a weird take. Of all the threatening religions out there I really don’t think they need to be the target. This is just very white and egotistical. I think that’s the best way to describe it. Were I not already a non believer this certainly wouldn’t sell me on it. If men like dawkins are the supposed pinnacles of the idea then it’s far past time to move forward.
wildflowerz76's review
5.0
It happened kind of slowly. When I was a kid, I was fully entrenched in the dogma of the Southern Baptist Convention and all the hate and prejudice that goes along with it. I thought gay people were going to hell. I styled myself "pro-life." Like most people, once I got to college, I started thinking more for myself. I don't think that it's anything that I learned through classes I took in college...I can't remember one instance of even talking about any of the issues in my classes. But it was the first time I was living basically on my own, away from my parents and from my church. It was also the first time in years and years when I stopped going to church. I had a boyfriend and I would spend the weekends with him rather than going home and we weren't going to church. I remember in my second two years of school, I started feeling disdain for campus religious organizations and the people who joined them. I think it grew from there. I've felt it more and more recently as I've been reading more and more about skeptical and critical thinking. So I've been seeking out some books about the subject. That's how I came to this one. I went to church pretty much every week for at least 10 years. I read the Bible, though not as much as I "should" have. And still, I don't know half the things that it said in it. I learned things in this book about the Bible, that I never read in the Bible itself. Was it because of the obtuse language it uses? If I had known a lot of what it said, maybe I would have questioned it more, earlier on. I doubt it though. I was very much my mother's child, believing because someone in authority told me that something was true. As I got older, I began to realize that what I've been taught isn't the truth. For several years, I think I'd best be described as agnostic who usually leans toward the atheist side. Even know, where I'm leaning so far, I should tip over, I still find myself reluctant to really give up all that I was taught in my youth, despite the extreme disdain I feel for it most of the time. Anyway, back to this book: There was a lot I already knew in The God Delusion. There were also quite a few things I didn't. I learned more about how religion is harmful in so many ways. This is an excellent read and I'd recommend it anyone, but especially someone who wants to be more of a critical thinker, rather than just accepting what they're told as the truth without questioning it.
overheat4600's review
5.0
A great book. This got me started on anti-theism, although, now that I look back at it, I realise it is more pro-evolution/anti-creationist than pure anti-theism.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
sharanya98's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
maria_steffens's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
A succinct, in-depth, well-thought out book about religion. I especially liked the chapters detailing why religiosity may exist and the research that has been done about this in different scientific disciplines. Definitely recommend, though as an introduction to professor Dawkins's writing, I'd recommend 'The Blind Watchmaker' over this.
mokasin's review against another edition
4.0
У каждого свой бог - совесть. И судить будут не по вере в персонифицированного бога, а по земным делам. Как по мне, проживший с чистой совестью атеист заслуживает большего чем раскаявшийся в своих грехах верующий.