Unique insights from an atheist’s Sunday-morning odyssey
When Hemant Mehta was a teenager he stopped believing in God, b... read full description
When Hemant Mehta was a teenager he stopped believing in God, b... read full description
reviews
Oct 05, 2008
Laura
rated it: 
Okay. Whew. First things first. I did like this book. A lot. There were just a few things that made me want to pull my hair out.
Let me start by saying that I highly recommend EVERY Christian read this book. His insights are great and he has some great suggestions to making our churches more approachable. He even has some positive things to say about Ted Haggard, so God bless him. I was on the edge of my seat during that section.
However, there were times that I felt like, I don't know More...
Let me start by saying that I highly recommend EVERY Christian read this book. His insights are great and he has some great suggestions to making our churches more approachable. He even has some positive things to say about Ted Haggard, so God bless him. I was on the edge of my seat during that section.
However, there were times that I felt like, I don't know More...
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Jan 03, 2009
bookczuk
rated it: 
Interesting book and an timely read for the start of Holy Week 2008. I thought the premise and original idea unique, but got slightly turned off by the author's self importance and his, at times to my ears, condescending voice when he wrote his observations. It's very easy to learn the customs and traditions of a church before going to the actual service. A little beforehand research would have helped him to understand why certain words are used or why certain actions are performed. I find it a
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Jan 28, 2011
Lee
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Mehta is “the eBay atheist,” the nonbeliever who auctioned off the opportunity for the winning bidder to send him to church. Since then, Mehta has visited a variety of churches, from the cozy to the mega churches, and written about his experiences.
If you’re looking for comedy, this is not. The subtitle is “Viewing faith through an atheist’s eyes,” and Mehta, who stopped believing as a teenager, never crosses back over the line.
He begins his book by explaining what it is the n More...
If you’re looking for comedy, this is not. The subtitle is “Viewing faith through an atheist’s eyes,” and Mehta, who stopped believing as a teenager, never crosses back over the line.
He begins his book by explaining what it is the n More...
Mar 15, 2010
Alise
rated it:
I picked up this book because I've read Hemant Mehta's blog off and on and his style has a lot of appeal to me. The premise of the book where an atheist auctions his soul (though it's more like his time!) on eBay is one that is fascinating at the start, but this book is far better than even the premise. Mehta visits numerous churches of varying sizes and then reports on what he as a young, non-Christian male thinks about them. He offers some great insights into both the good things that he belie
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May 24, 2009
Emily Jane
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I initially found this book at a Christian bookstore and then reserved it at my local library. Billing himself as "The Friendly Atheist," but raised in the Jain faith, Mr Mehta posted on eBay the opportunity for one lucky buyer to pay him to attend any church or churches of the buyer's choice for as long as they paid him. This venture gained acclaim and note and Mr Mehta began work observing Christian churches from an outsider's perspective.
This is an interesting project, a More...
This is an interesting project, a More...
May 01, 2011
Naomi
rated it: 
Mehta calls himself the 'friendly atheist' but i think he's the wishy-washy atheist. he wrote this book, after "selling his soul" on ebay. the fun part is, of course, none of have souls, do we? the deal was that he would go to churches as directed by the winning bidder and write about it. resulting in this book and a continuing blog (which i have checked out.) here are some of the problems i had with Mehta's approach:
he seems to think that 'popularity' has something to More...
he seems to think that 'popularity' has something to More...
Feb 18, 2008
Lynne
rated it:
A very interesting and refreshing look at several organized Christian religions. Seen through the open and unbiased eyes of an athiest who is willing to believe if a faith community can convine him. Mehta is intelligent and honest and his observations are right-on. Makes you think carefully about what a religious community says versus what it does. Easy and facinating to read.
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Apr 13, 2011
As a young atheist, Hemant Mehta promised on eBay to attend a church service for $10. If someone bid more, he would attend more services. He ended up in a partnership with winning bidder Jim Henderson, who paid $504 and asked him to write friendly critiques of 15 different churches for Henderson's website. I Sold My Soul on eBay includes Mehta's reflections on these churches as well as his reflections on growing up as a Jain. Although he does not believe in God (which he says Jainism does no
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Dec 17, 2009
Melody
rated it: 
Interesting concept in which an atheist sells his time to the highest bidder, and at said bidder's request, attends several different churches & critiques the services. Mehta, I think, is sincere but he cuts the charlatans and fools in these churches too much slack.
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Dec 28, 2008
Rod
rated it:
How an atheist views the Christian Church. He has some funny insights into the habits of Churches and Church goers.
Although he seems to think Christians should spend more time re-arranging chairs on a sinking ship than trying to get people onto the lifeboats. (destination = Heaven)
I should seriously count all the times he mentions himself as an intellectual! Apparently all it takes to be an intellectual is to doubt everything and say "where's the proof?". Of course I'm More...
Although he seems to think Christians should spend more time re-arranging chairs on a sinking ship than trying to get people onto the lifeboats. (destination = Heaven)
I should seriously count all the times he mentions himself as an intellectual! Apparently all it takes to be an intellectual is to doubt everything and say "where's the proof?". Of course I'm More...
Jun 16, 2008
janet
rated it:
a little one-sided, misses the point that faith is an integral part of christianity
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Oct 15, 2011
Allie
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This is a fabulous, creative project. We soooooo need more thoughtful, friendly atheist voices like Hemant's. He's written an important book for dispelling stereotypes regarding atheists and for Christian dialogue with both nontheists and people of other faiths. Sometimes he turns me off with his atheists-are-awesomer tone and outright dismissal of "superstitious" religious beliefs instead of more focus on what's shared (I swear I could do that better!), but overall, definitely worth r
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Oct 27, 2011
Leigh
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 30, 2011
Choong Chiat
rated it:
In this book, the author presents a candid, personal and concise account of his experiences firstly as a devout Jain, then as an atheist and finally as a church-visiting/reviewing "friendly atheist".
The author's simple and conversational style of writing makes this book an easy and light read (I personally finished the book in five days' time but could have finished it in an even shorter period of time if I wanted to).
And perhaps it is because that I am a friendly agnostic, I am in agr More...
The author's simple and conversational style of writing makes this book an easy and light read (I personally finished the book in five days' time but could have finished it in an even shorter period of time if I wanted to).
And perhaps it is because that I am a friendly agnostic, I am in agr More...
Mar 02, 2011
Tom
rated it:
I have enjoyed Hemant’s blog “Friendly Atheist” (http://friendlyatheist.com – check it out, the top banner is an ambigram!), and looked forward to reading this book. I don’t recall the news articles around the time he did this auction, so the idea behind this auction was new to me. As an atheist, he offered to go to an hour of the winning bidder’s church of choice – an hour for every $10 of the winning price. Long story short, the winner was a pastor with a blog who asked Hemant to visit 15 chur
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Dec 06, 2007
Heidi
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At first he resisted the moniker, but as the media that picked up his story wouldn't let it go, Hemant finally embraced being known as the guy who sold his soul on ebay. While in college, he helped the University of Illinois in Chicago establish its first secular student group, Students WithOut Religious Dogma. As part of his effort to establish respectful dialog with religious people, he sold his time to attend worship service to the highest bidder on ebay. For every $10, he would spend an h
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Dec 30, 2011
Vanni
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This book is addressing believing Christians, not Atheists, so if you're an Atheist you might want to keep on moving. Whether or not you're Christian or Atheist, you'll likely see how Mehta takes an interesting project and turns it into an extremely boring book. I recommend you skip to the last chapter (What It Would Take to Convert Me) and pass it along.
Jan 04, 2011
Nikki
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This was an interesting read for me. An Atheist visits a dozen or so different churches and talks about his experiences at each one. What made him feel comfortable, uncomfortable, offended, confused, etc. I think it would be a great book for people who work at churches to read if they're interested in reading about an outsiders view. He isn't rude or mean but he is very to the point.
Oct 15, 2009
Joey
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This book is not bad. Mehta gives fair and insightful critiques to the church to consider. It was mainly his writing that annoyed me. It read like a term paper, and he is very repetitive. However, Mehta truly is an honest seeker and has good and embarrassing (for me and all church goers) reports to share about our evangelical churches.
Apr 06, 2011
Ray
rated it:
"If someone disagrees with you about politics, or social issues, or the matter of origins, isn't that just democracy and free speech in action? How do opposing viewpoints constitute a threat?"
Pretty good book, too short, too technical. but every christian pastor should read it as a primer.
Pretty good book, too short, too technical. but every christian pastor should read it as a primer.
Nov 11, 2010
Hannah
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Hemant Mehta is an easy person to relate to. He's friendly, reasonable, and willing to look for what he can get from perspectives vastly different from his own. Even as a very Christian person, I found myself nodding in agreement with many of his critiques on the churches he visited. His view as a church outsider gives some valuable insight into some things that the church is doing right, some it's doing wrong, and some it's doing right but don't realize it LOOKS wrong. I'd definitely recommend
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May 12, 2011
John
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Clever idea for reviewing a variety of christian church services, but in his effort to avoid hostile confrontation, the author bypasses the tougher and more important issues, like teaching children religious doctrines that are demonstrably false.
Jun 12, 2011
Michael
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An eye-opening book on how a not-from-a-Christian-background sees a Christian church service when he walks through the doors. Fascinating,good information!
Jan 31, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Affirmed much of what I already suspected. But the author did a nice job of sharing his observations in a humorous and insightful way.
Aug 31, 2007
Carole
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He didn't sell his soul. He did go to 15 different churches in the Chicago area and rate them. He considered things suchas whether the sermon held his interest, where the people friendly, did the church look appealing. He rates them according to size soo he isn't comparing a mega to a 150 person church. He gives good ideas churches should listen to when trying to attract new members.
He is an athiest. He mentions several times that he is who churches are trying to attract. I disagree. I thi More...
He is an athiest. He mentions several times that he is who churches are trying to attract. I disagree. I thi More...
Sep 18, 2011
Linda
rated it:
OK. Interesting. But I'm not sure he got the point. I can see how both atheists and Christians will have issues with this.
Jan 21, 2012
Carol
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Interesting book - After visiting many churches, Mehta wraps up by making suggestions about what would make a church Christianity more appealing to nonbelievers.
Aug 02, 2008
Jonathan
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although 'slow' at times, very compelling read. at least from the perspective of reading what an 'outsider' has to say about the inner workings of Christianity ... basically asking some of the same questions that i ask.
know that the author does not bash or overtly go out of his way to belittle anything about Christianity. in fact, it's extremely cordial in the approach.
all in all, a thoughtful read, though not incredibly theologically 'deep'.
know that the author does not bash or overtly go out of his way to belittle anything about Christianity. in fact, it's extremely cordial in the approach.
all in all, a thoughtful read, though not incredibly theologically 'deep'.
Jan 27, 2009
Shawn
rated it:
Interesting read. It's helpful to read how an outsider views the church. Much of it I agree with and hope that churches do take into consideration his questions and ideas.
