Judging by today's bestseller lists, one would think that religion is either irrational or extreme. What's missing is a genuine debate between t... read full description
reviews
Nov 09, 2011
Michael
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A short, beautiful book about the power and promises of faith. I have previously read Rabbi Wolpe's book Teaching Your Children About God, and I very much liked his kind, gentle tone. In this book, the author takes on those who are called 'The New Atheists': Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, and attempts to answer their most strident criticisms about religion and faith by shining a bright light on their most powerful arguments. Does religion cause violence? Is religion irrat
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Apr 05, 2009
Walter
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Rabbi David Wolpe has written an important (if a tad uneven) book. Why Faith Matters is full of piercingly compelling insights about faith, about religion and our pracitice of it and about the interplay of these two forces in our lives. Its tone is respectful and present in the sense that you perceive the author so open, so willing to dialogue that it is almost that he is listening to your questions and/or objections as he writes. (In fact, he takes on many of the most obvious objections to h
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May 24, 2011
Paul
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My main gripe with this book is that it feels underwritten. Rabbi Wolpe covers a lot of ground in his argument for the continuing necessity of faith in the modern world. However, while the book is studded with little gems of insight, they are too often simply left behind without any substantial explication. The result is a book that, overall, feels a bit light intellectually.
I suspect, in part, this may simply have to do with the audience Wolpe has in mind. The book, while smart, see More...
I suspect, in part, this may simply have to do with the audience Wolpe has in mind. The book, while smart, see More...
Apr 09, 2011
David
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Wolpe is an excellent apologist for faith, which I say without sarcasm. However, he is too quick to use "religion", "faith" and "spirituality" interchangeably, as other reviewers have noted. For the most part, he is intellectually honest and makes no outright claims to have God's ear. Yet, he sometimes white-washes the horrors of religion by paying them due with unstirring language. He talks about the friction caused by zealotry, rather than calling it sadistic and
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Aug 09, 2011
I read this book with what I consider its inverse companion: Christopher Hitchens' "God is not Great." I must say, it wasn't a fair fight. Hitchens, as he did in a real-life debate, absolutely smashes Wolpe's mousy little arguments to fine dust.
The writing itself is horribly, terribly amateur. If this was intentional, it was deplorable. MAKE me spring for a dictionary as a result of you selecting a perfect wording or phrasing to sell a point.
Speaking of points, no new ground is covere More...
The writing itself is horribly, terribly amateur. If this was intentional, it was deplorable. MAKE me spring for a dictionary as a result of you selecting a perfect wording or phrasing to sell a point.
Speaking of points, no new ground is covere More...
Jul 26, 2011
Ken
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This is the most level headed discourse to date on the role of religion in America and the current debate with the new atheists. As a former atheist himself and now a practising Rabbi DJ Wolpe makes a personal and rational case for the importance of faith in God as expressed by Jews, Christians and Muslums in sustaining humanity and our modern society as well as in our personal spiritual lives. Ultimately why faith matters is because our relationships to others and to God matters to us deeply a
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Dec 09, 2011
Cecile
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Although I enjoyed the book for the most part, I did find his writing a bit troublesome to follow occasionally. But that might have just been me.
I am a spiritual person, but I find organized religion a bit much to take. I agreed with many of his comments, especially when he spoke of religion being used by some more as an extension of who they are than anything else.
When I do visit a church, the one I've chosen to attend is an exemplary version of spiritual community. I rarel More...
I am a spiritual person, but I find organized religion a bit much to take. I agreed with many of his comments, especially when he spoke of religion being used by some more as an extension of who they are than anything else.
When I do visit a church, the one I've chosen to attend is an exemplary version of spiritual community. I rarel More...
Nov 22, 2008
Sherie
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Tavis Smiley interviewed Rabbi Wolpe and I couldn't wait to read this book. It may not sway the atheists in the crowds, but that's only because they will probably not read it. For anyone who has had their faith tested and feels like they are hanging by a thread, this is a great book to read. It does not strive to "prove" anything, simply to put one's faith in a different light. Tangible things seem to be what the nay-sayers cling to in their disbelief. How good it is to read over and
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Dec 09, 2008
Erin
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This is a very nice book that will make you feel good. (Unless you are an atheist, in which case it will annoy you.) It will not convince a skeptic but there are a lot of good anecdotes and analogies. I especially like the tapestry analogy. And I think the author's main thesis is correct, even if some of his arguments are not.
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Mar 24, 2010
Rabbi Wolpe won the debate when he brought us a heaping plate of food during the first reception. Oh please, David, you had me at "Can I get you some food..."
While I'm not sure he won the debate (can you ever?) and he sure as heck didn't change my mind on the subject (can you ever?) he was very very sweet man and pleasure to meet.
While I'm not sure he won the debate (can you ever?) and he sure as heck didn't change my mind on the subject (can you ever?) he was very very sweet man and pleasure to meet.
Oct 25, 2009
Miss
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The writing was competent but I had hoped for something a little more sophisticated. To summarize the book (and it's "answer" to the titular question) Faith must matter because without it the world is a scary, random and cruel place, where unpunished evil and meaningless suffering occur.
Oct 05, 2009
Elizabeth
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The flip side to Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion," which I'm also reading and would give the same rating to. Both authors explain their own convictions well but probably won't change anyone else's mind.
Nov 08, 2011
Gianne
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I found this a simple but fascinating point of view. It is highly readable, even from the lens of someone without faith. He formerly was a turned-atheist and then return to Judaism and became a rabbi, and I enjoyed his thoughts and questions during those times. And that also helped him to see from an atheist standpoint, and speaks a little like such.
Wolpe has a very gentle way of approaching certain issues, although while he refers to the major monotheistic religions, one can feel that More...
Wolpe has a very gentle way of approaching certain issues, although while he refers to the major monotheistic religions, one can feel that More...
Dec 12, 2011
Linda
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Very thought provoking - mind opening - should be read by anyone who is bold enough to argue on either side of the religion vs science, creationism vs darwinism issues.
Aug 02, 2010
Dave
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It's difficult for me to rate/review this book. I wanted to like it, and I did like it very much in the early sections. However when Wolpe went so far as to claim that agnostics and atheists cannot have lives as fulfilling as theists or be (as) moral, he both disappointed and lost me.
Jan 16, 2010
Danny
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Wolpe went from Judaism to Atheism and returned to Judaism and is considered one of the most influential rabbis of our time. a great read.
Jun 09, 2011
Debbie
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Made me think about what I do or don't believe in. Rabbi Wolpe is a beautiful writer so reading this also gives pleasure.
Mar 12, 2010
Mdannemiller
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A bit glib. Author seems to use faith & religion interchangeably, and I think they are quite different.
Feb 14, 2009
The author is a very articulate Rabbi who expounds on his belief on the human need for same.
Jan 19, 2009
Erica
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A great book for Jewish adolescents (late teens) who are questioning why they should have faith in God, or believe that religion has caused all the problems in the world. Great for adults too!
May 14, 2009
Jan
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This is one of the most profound and well presented discussions on the importance of faith in life and it's impact. A must read by all who want to expand their understanding of faith's purpose in a broader sense beyond that of maintaining context within your own religious culture. I probably could have highlighted nuggets of pure truth on each page. Fabulous!!!!
Nov 03, 2009
There83
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I give it a 3 because It lacks emphasis on the personal relationship with Jesus where we get our daily conviction and revelation.
Jan 30, 2009
Kitty
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The author is a rabbi who spars with the current spate of atheistic books. Thoughtfully written.
Feb 06, 2011
Joshua
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I stopped reading after the third chapter (page 80). Too breezy for what I need right now.
Jul 12, 2010
Amy
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Good commentary...I kind of skimmed it just to get it back to the library and move on.
May 07, 2010
Rabbi David Wolpe (Los Angeles) presents an excellent summary of current arguments against faith and refutes each one individually. An excellent and thoughtful breakdown of what faith is and why it matters to us today.
Jan 03, 2012
