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53rd out of 225 books
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543 voters
The Young Atheist's Handbook: Lessons for Living a Good Life Without God
by
Alom Shaha (Goodreads Author)
Alom Shaha grew up in a strict Bangladeshi Muslim community in South-East London in the 1970s and 80s. He was expected to go to mosque regularly and recite passages in Arabic from the Quran, without being told what they meant. Alom spent his teenage years juggling two utterly different worlds: a chaotic, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic family life on a council estate, an...more
Board book, First, 220 pages
Published
February 28th 2012
by Scribe
(first published 2012)
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Jul 26, 2012
Shakeel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
atheism-and-scepticism,
biography
I had been looking forward to read this since I'd heard about it. I must say that I'm not disappointed.
Couple of things.
First, if one is reading the book in the hope that it's some sort of philosophical treatise against theism then you are reading the wrong book. The book is a very human and personal account of why Alom is an atheist. I've read many philosophical tracts on both sides of the fence. They are pretty thorough but also very dry. There are many reasons why people believe or disbeliev...more
Couple of things.
First, if one is reading the book in the hope that it's some sort of philosophical treatise against theism then you are reading the wrong book. The book is a very human and personal account of why Alom is an atheist. I've read many philosophical tracts on both sides of the fence. They are pretty thorough but also very dry. There are many reasons why people believe or disbeliev...more
In his foreword to Alom Shaha's Young Atheist's Handbook, A.C. Grayling talks about the importance of developing a questioning mind. Shaha quotes Ani DiFranco when she asks, 'What if God is just an idea/Someone put in your head?' In The Young Atheist's Handbook, Alom Shaha asks – and answers for himself – the question, 'What if God is just an outmoded concept we no longer require now that we have generated more data about our universe than any one of us can ever hope to successfully process?' An...more
Alom Shaha's first book is part autobiography/part handbook about growing up in a Muslim family and losing faith. Honest, emotional and beautifully written Alom lets us in to his world and shows us how you can live a good life without god. From the death of his mother, the abuse of his father, the troubles associated with going to a predominantly white school and the beauty of falling in love, Alom holds back nothing in slowly explaining how god is not essential in all aspects of life.
Where othe...more
Where othe...more
I’d heard that the author’s initial idea to write a handbook, to help his students make informed decisions on what to believe with regard to religion, had been modified by his literary agent. They wanted it to tell his very interesting story of a personal journey from a religious upbringing to atheism. Alom Shaha not only succeeded with this task, but in my opinion surpassed it!
My wife actually picked up the book for a quick scan before I did, and commented that it “sounded far more interesting...more
My wife actually picked up the book for a quick scan before I did, and commented that it “sounded far more interesting...more
This is an honest, humane account of one man's feelings on religion, and how he came to develop these feelings. If you have any interest in the topic of religion, this is a readable, great account of the atheist perspective.
The book is basically Alom's life story as a Bangladeshi-born boy growing up in a strict Muslim community in south-east London and the formative experiences that eventually led him question how to live without being tied to what his parents, preachers and teachers told him to believe. He writes in a very non-provocative style (the complete opposite to say Richard Dawkin's "The God Delusion") and brings in some great input as a result of his science teaching experience (and the importance of unde...more
Even though Alom and I come from very different backgrounds I found myself relating extremely well to his transition from a child of moderately religious parents to an adult who is a vocal atheist. The questions that he asked himself, and others, through the years were the same ones that I've always been asking. He did a very nice job of illustrating that his transition to atheism was not only an intellectual one but in large part an emotional one. The fact that he could share his journey withou...more
Excellently written. Whilst acknowledging in the book that many of the points made in the book have been made before, I have rarely seen them expressed as clearly and succinctly as they are here, something which will make the book very useful for someone who may be heading towards atheism, but isn't sure exactly what it entails. The personal elements of the book also make it easier to identify with the author; despite coming from a different culture and religion I found myself identifying with t...more
I really enjoyed this autobiographical apologetic for atheism. There is a gentleness and sensitivity in the author's approach that permits a relaxed engagement with the ideas that contrasts with the more strident writings of some other atheists. It's a very personal narrative that wraps within it some of the traditional arguments against theism which provides the book with a seductive pull that enables one to listen to the author rather than react adversarially - at least, that's how I experienc...more
Where do I start? What a marvellous book. It has managed to affirm many thoughts i've had prior to reading this book; thoughts about treatment of women, homophobia, happiness, and morality. By far the most honest account I've ever read on one's personal journey to atheism, and one that is comforting and soothing, especially in an environment where people hold steadfastly to their religions at the expense of critical thinking and respect for women, among other things.
Absolutely mind-numbingly b...more
I love this book. It feels like a conversation. There are moments of wry humour that made me grin, some utterly heartbreaking bits that had me in tears and as a whole it is never less than warm, compassionate and intelligent in the discussion of why someone might choose to identify themselves as an atheist and the strange feeling of freedom that comes from accepting sole responsibility for one's own happiness and fulfillment.
You do not need to be an atheist to enjoy this book, and it would be a...more
You do not need to be an atheist to enjoy this book, and it would be a...more
The personal journey from a man who grew up in a Muslim community to investigating his own views on religion and the world. A very sane and balanced look at religion, without being unnecessarily condemning of any of it's followers. Very refreshing after having read De Botton recently, and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is doing some soul searching of their own, especially one brought up in a religious environment.
Really loved this book. Very emotive for me and it has helped me to realise where I am with my atheism. I am not alone and I don't need to feel guilty. Wonderfully written, well researched and you feel Alom's journey was not an easy one. Recommended to those who need a rational atheist perspective that is respectful and well written.
Not even sure where to start, but this book made me think a lot about a few different aspects of my life in a new light.
It-and its author- also appears to have turned me into some sort of schoolgirl-esque groupie gibbering wreck who is entirely incapable of playing it cool.
Shame is over-rated anyway.
It-and its author- also appears to have turned me into some sort of schoolgirl-esque groupie gibbering wreck who is entirely incapable of playing it cool.
Shame is over-rated anyway.
Reading this book felt like someone taking the words right out of my mind and writing them down more articulately than I could have. It feels like having a conversation with a good friend. I placed a sticky note on every idea I agreed with, and every idea I hadn't thought of before, and I now have a book exploding with little pink papers. The writing is unpretentious and genuine. The ideal would be for everyone to read it, but I think "The Young Atheist's Handbook" would be most useful for agnos...more
I really respect the author for the tone he takes with this book. It isn't condescending, angry or intolerant. He covers the main arguments for atheism while putting them into the context of his own Muslim upbringing and into adolescence/young adulthood.
Shaha's book could be read by a teenager or adult, it has plenty of food for thought. While it doesn't really hold anything new for a non-believer, all the basic arguments are there for someone considering their position on matters of theism.
I es...more
Shaha's book could be read by a teenager or adult, it has plenty of food for thought. While it doesn't really hold anything new for a non-believer, all the basic arguments are there for someone considering their position on matters of theism.
I es...more
As the author says in the epilogue, this isn't really a handbook in the sense of a manual. It is, however, an interesting read from an intriguing perspective and is certainly encouraging for the new, budding and curious atheist.
A very interesting and thought provoking read for those on both sides of the fence. Would be great if such as text was included in the national curriculum!
I identified with a lot in this book. Well written and argued, not strident.
Awesome. Everyone who doubts and questions any sort of organised religion should read this.
I loved this book. A great read.
One of my favourite books of the year, a genuinely interesting and emotive book. Alom is open and honest as well as humorous in all the right places which makes it a pleasure to read. I was brought up in a relatively religion free household and still found I identified with a lot of the issues and it's a must read for everyone, no matter which side of this debate you fall on.
Scientifically critical of religion without being malicious, his reasoning is beautifully explained and well thought-out.
Based around his own personal story, it is both engaging and inspiring.
Everyone should read this book regardless of which side of the fence they currently stand. Worth revisiting often and sharing with others.
Based around his own personal story, it is both engaging and inspiring.
Everyone should read this book regardless of which side of the fence they currently stand. Worth revisiting often and sharing with others.
Very enlightening insight in to growing up as an immigrant in the UK and losing your faith, and place in the community. Definitely recommend.
I thought the book was great. Everyone should read it.
Not so much a handbook but a memoir.
May 19, 2013
Kkallel
marked it as to-read
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“In many ways, accepting there is no God to provide meaning and purpose to our lives can, I believe, force us to create meaningful purposes ourselves.”
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4 people liked it
“Religion allows people to ignore the needs of real beings in favour of the supposed wishes of a being that does not exist.”
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3 people liked it
More quotes…
Jul 14, 2012 04:22am
After reading your thoughtful review, I downloaded the free sample to my Kindle...and I was hooked. I just ordered the book and I'm looking fo...more
Jul 29, 2012 10:00am