Letter to a Christian Nation

Letter to a Christian Nation Vintage

From the new afterword by the author:

Humanity has had a long fascination with blood sacrifice. In fact, it has been by no means uncommon for a child to be born into this world only to be patiently and lovingly reared by religious maniacs, who believe that the best way to keep the sun on its course or to ensure a rich harvest is to lead him by tender hand into a field or to a mountaintop and bury, butcher, or burn him alive as offering to an invisible God. The notion that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that his death constitutes a successful propitiation of a "loving" God is a direct and undisguised inheritance of the superstitious bloodletting that has plagued bewildered people throughout history. . .

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Theists have no sound counter-arguments against this book
All the arguments that are presented in this book are sound. (Not that people cannot argue with them but their reasoning or support for counter-arguments are shabby, faulty, and fragile)

Unlike his previous book Harris uses more of a conversational tone that flows very well and reads very well. He also focuses very much on social issues that are created solely because of theists interfering with public affairs and trying to influence social behaviors.

Anybody can read this and understand his arguments. Highly recommended.

2 Stars Oversimplifies a complex debate
The core of this book is the problem of evil. How can a God that is omnipotent and benevolent allow evil to exist? Harris's treatment of this subject is unimpressive, ignoring the most obvious responses – for example, that God gave us free will and we choose to do evil. For a much better book on the problem of evil, see Susan Neiman's Evil in Modern Thought. Many of his other criticisms seem almost juvenile. For example, he claims that because the Bible states pi as 3.1 and not 3.14, it must be a load of bull. He completely ignores the possibility that the Bible was divinely inspired but still a product of human culture. No one who is not already an atheist will come away from this book convinced of his position.

4 Stars Eye-Opening Arguments
First I'd like to point out that the book really is a letter to a Christian nation, and is primarily leveled at being received and read by Christians. As an ex-Christian atheist myself the book was clearly not addressing me, but made numerous poignant and valid arguments about why religion is a bad idea and continues to burden our society. I feel that even if you do not agree with Harris' points, this is a crucial and persuasive set of arguments to the atheist side of the debate, and a powerful read for everyone whether involved in the debate or otherwise. If you like this book (or even if you don't but wish to become more well-read on the subject) then I'd highly recommend graduating to Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" and Daniel Dennett's "Breaking the Spell".

5 Stars Theists have no sound counter-arguments against this book
All the arguments that are presented in this book are sound. (Not that people cannot argue with them but their reasoning or support for counter-arguments are shabby, faulty, and fragile)

Unlike his previous book Harris uses more of a conversational tone that flows very well and reads very well. He also focuses very much on social issues that are created solely because of theists interfering with public affairs and trying to influence social behaviors.

Anybody can read this and understand his arguments. Highly recommended.

5 Stars Sam Harris is the "God" of atheists (pun intended)
I've read and heard them all: Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens. While all are great in their own ways, Harris has, in my opinion, the best arguments for the "non" existence of God. (His analogies are not only funny but spot on)

This is a great book (or letter as he calls it) for any and all alike. I plan to give this to a few Christian friends.

After reading this short treatise, I came up with a quote: "We all use the same words, some of us are just better at arranging them." I apply this to Mr. Harris wholeheartedly.

Buy/More Info

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Related posts:

1. Letter to a Christian Nation (Vintage)
2. A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists Musings on Why God Is Good and Faith Isnt Evil
3. PRESS RELEASE: Upcoming Debate: 'Is America a Christian Nation?'
4. Christian Nation Update: Hitchens v. Blackwell
5. The End of Reason
6. The "Christian Nation" and "Muslim Nation" Distortion
7. Atheist Universe – The Thinking Persons Answer to Christian Fundamentalism
8. Online Reactions: We Are Not a Christian Nation
9. The Christian Nation – If you don't like the facts, rewrite 'em.
10. Notre Dame Letter Released in its Entirety

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