Why I Am Not a Christian and Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects
Why I Am Not a Christian and Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects
Dedicated as few men have been to the life of reason, Bertrand Russell has always been concerned with the basic questions to which religion also addresses itself — questions about man's place in the universe and the nature of the good life, questions that involve life after death, morality, freedom, education, and sexual ethics. He brings to his treatment of these questions the same courage, scrupulous logic, and lofty wisdom for which his other work as philosopher, writer, and teacher has been famous. These qualities make the essays included in this book perhaps the most graceful and moving presentation of the freethinker's position since the days of Hume and Voltaire.
"I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue," Russell declares in his Preface, and his reasoned opposition to any system or dogma which he feels may shackle man's mind runs through all the essays in this book, whether they were written as early as 1899 or as late as 1954.
The book has been edited, with Lord Russell's full approval and cooperation, by Professor Paul Edwards of the Philosophy Department of New York University. In an Appendix, Professor Edwards contributes a full account of the highly controversial "Bertrand Russell Case" of 1940, in which Russell was judicially declared "unfit" to teach philosophy at the College of the City of New York.
Whether the reader shares or rejects Bertrand Russell's views, he will find this book an invigorating challenge to set notions, a masterly statement of a philosophical position, and a pure joy to read.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Dogma or Progress?
The fact that short essays carried one theme, instead of a lengthy essays with complex nuances, strengthens the theories of B. Russell.
A bright ideological strategy to say the least.
Russell's atheism is not a tumultuous philosophy, but rather conceptual pacifism. And his anti-war policy echoes a high standard of ethics.
Then, should we question liberal morality when intended to equality and peace among nations?
I don't think so.
The historical Chairman Mao condemned religion as poison, Bertrand Russell defined religion as the expression of fear and social inquietude.
Through intellectual development, societies progress, and nations prosper. Mr. Russell is perfectly correct.
I give this book 5 stars without hesitation
4 Stars Stimulus
One need not be against religious belief to appreciate Russell's scholarship. If one is against the subjection of the individual for the benefit of the state, one can find much to appreciate in his philosophy, even if you disagree with his theistic views.
5 Stars A must read
One of the best book in phylosophy I've read. Even though I consider myself an agnostic, Bertrand Russell'literature is very clear con concise, without imposing his ideas on christianity, only explaining his point of view.
4 Stars Russell on target, but can come off as flippant
I really like Russell on numerous grounds, such as his ethical/social/political views. He is well known for his anti-religious views.
In his essay "Why I am Not a Christian," he presents his case convincingly and his prose is notoriously simple and a pleasure to read without him going into abstract thought as most philosophers do. But the thing I care less for, is the fact that when he argues his case against existence of God, he is so flippant and spends little time over why he believes such n such. Maybe the essay should be taken more as his personal credo and I am wrong to critize him for that, but he comes off to sure of his beliefs. He states why its not so, and then moves on as if he as adequately dismissed the argument.
He is in fact that direct ancestor of Dawkins and Hitchens for good reason – Russell is in a long lineage of atheists who come off as bombastic, a la Volaitre, etc. There is probably a certain need for a bombastic attitude to jolt the general public into thinking a new way. But unlike Hitchens, who goes over board, Russell keeps him composure and seems likely to be able to find middle ground with rational theists. The dogma that atheists fight against, is the same dogma that they are building around themselves, and thus the circle is complete. Atheists are in the formation of becoming the fundamentalists, so sure of their position, so sure of their dogma. What makes them so different from a run of the mill evangelical?? And why do atheists fear admitting their own militant wing?? Is it hard to accept that ideology breeds militancy? Look to history, when the Christians rooted out paganism, they did it by intimidation, by persecution, just as paganism used the same methods in trying to kill Christianity. Is it so far fetched that the same methods will be used against the last pockets of religious believers to push their agenda? Rationality/Reason is in the eyes of the winner, not in the eyes of objective truth. One person's Reason is another person's Absurdity. The line is between Reason and Absurdity is razor thin.
4 Stars Relevant Today
I should preface this review by stating that I am not a student of philosophy, nor was I previously familiar with Bertrand Russell's other works. I ordered this collection of essays after seeing it referenced in several other books dealing with secular humanism.
While some of the essays necessarily seem a bit dated (most were written between 1900 and 1960), many of the themes Russell touches upon seem particularly relevant today. Russell writes passionately and articulately about the dangerous role that dogma — particularly religious dogma — plays in curtailing free thought and active debate. Further, he warns of the pain and suffering that have historically followed when dogmatic views are forced upon the population at large by those in power.
There are many other powerful ideas contained in this collection. For example, Russell also provides sobering insights on the dangers inherent in any democracy — particularly the "tyranny of the majority" which can silence unpopular ideas.
Given the chilling times we live in — when reasoned debate and diversity of opinion seem to be increasingly threatened by dogma (both political and religious) — Russell's ideas (and warnings) are especially poignant.
Of course, not all of the essays resonate today. The discussion of Catholic and Protestant skeptics seems a bit strange (to say the least).
Finally, this volume concludes with an article written by Prof. Paul Edwards detailing why Bertrand Russell was prevented by teaching at the College Of The City Of New York. It is a fascinating example of how the political and legal systems of a supposedly free democracy can be used to suppress unpopular ideas and impose dogmatic belief systems.
My only reason for withholding a 5th star is that I would like to have seen the publishers release an updated edition with greater historical background and footnotes. Otherwise, an excellent and thought-provoking collection of essays.
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