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Books » Religion » Atheism
The God Delusion
http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/9780618918249
By
Richard Dawkins
RRP $28.99 $14.97 Save $14.02 (48%)14.97
Free shipping Australia wide Ships within 24 hours from USA supplier | Rating: | | | Format: | Paperback, 463 pages | | Release Date: | January 2008 |
Discovery" magazine has recently called Richard Dawkins "Darwins Rottweiler" for his fierce and effective defense of evolution. In his "New York Times" bestseller, Dawkins turns his considerable intellect on religion, denouncing its faulty logic and the suffering it causes. ReviewsIn this hard-hitting critique of religious belief, Dawkins (Oxford Univ.) explains why the belief in God is both wrong and dangerous. Unlike his past works that only touch on the subject (e.g., The Selfish Gene; The Blind Watchmaker), this book is thorough and pulls no punches. Dawkins starts his "attack" by covering the various definitions of God as well as nearly every classical argument for the existence of God. He then proceeds to build his case based on a Darwinian/scientific perspective of why he believes there is no God, period. He concludes by offering a scientific explanation for religious belief but not before treating religious-based morality to his rapierlike criticisms. While he does acknowledge that many of his criticisms would also apply to political or sociocultural beliefs, he does not take that line of thought any further, which is a shame. Nonetheless, both fans of Dawkins and his many opponents will want to read this book. Recommended for all academic libraries and larger public libraries with an interest in the topic. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/06.]-Brad S. Matthies, Butler Univ. Lib., Indianapolis Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. The antireligion wars started by Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris will heat up even more with this salvo from celebrated Oxford biologist Dawkins. For a scientist who criticizes religion for its intolerance, Dawkins has written a surprisingly intolerant book, full of scorn for religion and those who believe. But Dawkins, who gave us the selfish gene, anticipates this criticism. He says it's the scientist and humanist in him that makes him hostile to religions fundamentalist Christianity and Islam come in for the most opprobrium that close people's minds to scientific truth, oppress women and abuse children psychologically with the notion of eternal damnation. While Dawkins can be witty, even confirmed atheists who agree with his advocacy of science and vigorous rationalism may have trouble stomaching some of the rhetoric: the biblical Yahweh is "psychotic," Aquinas's proofs of God's existence are "fatuous" and religion generally is "nonsense." The most effective chapters are those in which Dawkins calms down, for instance, drawing on evolution to disprove the ideas behind intelligent design. In other chapters, he attempts to construct a scientific scaffolding for atheism, such as using evolution again to rebut the notion that without God there can be no morality. He insists that religion is a divisive and oppressive force, but he is less convincing in arguing that the world would be better and more peaceful without it. (Oct. 18) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. "A powerful argument for how to think about the place of religion in the modern world. It's going to be a classic." -- Seed Magazine
"In the roiling debate between science and religion, it would be hard to exaggerate the enormous influence of Richard Dawkins." Salon
"A particularly comprehensive case against religion. Everyone should read it. Atheists will love Mr. Dawkins's incisive logic and rapier wit, and theists will find few better tests of the robustness of their faith." --Economist
"If I had to identify Dawkins's cardinal virtues, I would say that he is brilliant, articulate, impassioned, and impolite . . .The God Delusion is a fine and significant book." The San Francisco Chronicle |
| Publisher: | Mariner Books | | ISBN: | 0618918248 |
| EAN: | 9780618918249 | | Dimensions: | 20.98 x 14.33 x 2.9 centimeters (0.47 kg) |
| Age Range: |
15+ years |
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Reviews
5.0
out of 5 based on
6
reviews.
 – Customer review on 15/08/2009
I do not see how structured referenced arguments can be reffered to as childish and superficial, when the best argument for religion is "Well, how else could it happen?" That isn't an argument at all, at least Dawkins seeks to justify his reasoning and provide references to back up his viewpoints while at no time saying "It is because I believe it is!" He leaves that decision up to the reader for which you should be grateful. It has been to long in the coming for people to speak out in such a strong manner against religion. Well worth reading whatever your moral, cultural, superstitious inclination.
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– Customer review on 18/07/2008
Are you prepared to question your most fundamental beliefs? Are you concerned by the growing impact of fundamentalist religion?
The God Delusion is essential reading for anyone interested in religion and the question of God's existence. As the influence religion grows despite falling numbers of actual believers, this book is a rallying cry to those who chose to question rather than accept. Contrary to the previous review, Dawkins does indeed explore the various arguments for God's existence. As he points out though, being asked to definitely prove whether God exists or not is like trying to prove that there is not a teapot in orbit between Earth and Mars. The answer is "there is almost certainly no such celestial teapot", but trying to prove it conclusively is impossible and largely pointless. In the unlikely event that God does exist, god fearers who are contemplating reading this book can take comfort in the words of Thomas Jefferson:
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear."
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5.0
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– Customer review on 15/08/2009
A great read, Dawkins never fails to raise the conciousness. And the television series which acompanys this book is also superb.
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4.0
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 – Customer review on 19/02/2011
I thought the book was well argued and easy to follow. Before reading it I'd always thought there was no reason to write a book advocating atheism - why should anybody fight for disbelief.
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1.0
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 – Customer review on 18/08/2008
This book is an absolute shocker. Whilst easy to read (in most places), it supposedly written by an academic, but the arguments offered are at best childish and superficial. One expects far more from Dawkins. His rant against religion (and specifically Christianity) shows an angry man, angry at God for something and I wish he'd tell us what! Having read it, it convinces me that Dawkins is deluded. Whilst you may not be persuaded to believe what a Christian does by this book, I suspect in reading it, it will cause you to doubt whether you can be a credible atheist, or whether that requires far more faith.
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– Customer review on 14/03/2008
You cannot underestimate how disappointed I was with this book. Instead of refuting the existence of God properly (which he attempts, quickly, and in a rushed and unscientific manner) he spends most of his time bashing religion and bashing those who practise religion. Yes, religion has at times been misused and abused, and the evidence for a world which does not need the existence of God are both there, but Dawkins seems to aim this book at doing exactly what he hates - pushing his 'religious' ideas onto others. Shame, this could have been a fantastic and compelling book.
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