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43rd out of 229 books
—
549 voters
Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe
by
Greg Epstein
An inspiring and provocative exploration of an alternative to traditional religion by the Humanist chaplain at Harvard UniversityWith the current state of the economy, the ongoing wars that rage across the globe, and the unsettling changes to the earth's climate, questions about the role of God and religion in world affairs have never been more relevant or felt more powerf...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
October 27th 2009
by William Morrow
(first published September 2009)
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Epstein argues that yes, we can be good without God. But is being good enough? The Bible has a few things to say about that (not that humanists care what the Bible says, but...).
It was interesting to see Epstein avoid blatant religion-bashing (as Hitchens and Harris are wont to do), instead opting for a peace-and-love view of cooperation. This is a double-edged sword. While it's nice to feel like you aren't in a war zone, I don't know if Epstein uses all the firepower at his disposal. Epstein mi...more
It was interesting to see Epstein avoid blatant religion-bashing (as Hitchens and Harris are wont to do), instead opting for a peace-and-love view of cooperation. This is a double-edged sword. While it's nice to feel like you aren't in a war zone, I don't know if Epstein uses all the firepower at his disposal. Epstein mi...more
On the religious spectrum, I don’t fall anywhere in particular. My Japanese father was Buddhist, though he never demonstrated any proclivity towards spirituality as far as I could tell. My mother was raised Jewish, but I believe she identifies more with the cultural aspects than the religious ones.
So where do I fall? Well, um, I’m not sure. I’ve always been attracted to the cultural aspects of various religions and spirituality, but there isn’t a single one that catches my fancy. I hate that rel...more
So where do I fall? Well, um, I’m not sure. I’ve always been attracted to the cultural aspects of various religions and spirituality, but there isn’t a single one that catches my fancy. I hate that rel...more
3 likes · like · see review
The book's topic has a great deal of overlap with Alain de Botton's Religion for Atheists: A Non-Believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion, or UU Humanist William Murray's Becoming More Fully Human: Religious Humanism as a Way of Life, but frankly speaking: Epstein does it better.
For Epstein, Humanism is/should be a life stance that provides inspiration to overcome the challenges life throws our way, and motivation to make the world a better place. Humanism is every bit a much about helping an ad...more
For Epstein, Humanism is/should be a life stance that provides inspiration to overcome the challenges life throws our way, and motivation to make the world a better place. Humanism is every bit a much about helping an ad...more
It's an introduction to Humanism. The tone is that of an educated preacher talking to people less educated. I can see myself recommending this to my fundamentalist relatives, especially those who can read but rigidly guard what they see, hear or associate into their lives, but for myself, it felt gentrified, as well as explaining the obvious over and over. Frankly, I don't see the point of a religion without a god, anymore than I can see a religion with a god. I don't need a Religion of any kind...more
This is a book about Humanism, a “religion” that is badly misunderstood, trampled in Christian media as selfish. Epstein sets the record straight, articulating the beliefs he preaches as a Humanist chaplain. He points out that in our generation “we’ve successfully responded to the head of religion, but not to the heart of religion … we’ve produced a very heady atheism. But I believe in the heart of Humanism.”
I can’t call this an evangelical book, since Epstein stresses goodness over belief. He s...more
I can’t call this an evangelical book, since Epstein stresses goodness over belief. He s...more
3 likes · like · see review
In Good without God, Greg Epstein is not trying to engage the debate on whether God exists, or to critique religion. His goal is to defend non-believers, and to formulate a positive, ethical outlook on life that does not depend on theism for its legitimacy.
He is also peroccupied with building communities that can meet the same needs that churches fulfill for traditional religions. These needs include culture, literature, and ritual, counseling; guidance for children, support groups, community se...more
He is also peroccupied with building communities that can meet the same needs that churches fulfill for traditional religions. These needs include culture, literature, and ritual, counseling; guidance for children, support groups, community se...more
As a Humanist, Epstein finds it more important to focus on values than on the lack of theistic underpinnings for those values, especially when the word "God" is used so liberally that it is difficult to pin down its meaning. He explains that there are different kinds of atheism and nihilism and different theories about why ethics evolved. He provides a long discussion about dignity, a complex virtue which includes self-awareness and taking responsibility for oneself while also empathizing with a...more
This is a wonderful book that helped my to clarify several errors in my thinking. Greg Epstein in a Humanist chaplain at Harvard University. I had thought that 'humanist' and 'chaplain' were contradictory terms, but after reading this excellent book, I see how wrong I was. Humanism is the belief that mankind, not gods, will be the solution to our problems, and that reason, not superstition or faith, are better tools to use to address the pressing needs in our world.
Humanism is a more gentle for...more
Humanism is a more gentle for...more
"Good Without God" serves as a very good introduction to humanism, and for that reason is worthy of four stars if you're new to humanism or are humanism-curious.
As a long-standing atheist / humanist, I have some quibbles with "GwoG," especially with his occasional willingness to throw them bad ol' New Atheists under the bus. I understand and appreciate Epstein's point that it's best for humanists to confidently declare their atheism and move on to more constructive activities, especially with s...more
As a long-standing atheist / humanist, I have some quibbles with "GwoG," especially with his occasional willingness to throw them bad ol' New Atheists under the bus. I understand and appreciate Epstein's point that it's best for humanists to confidently declare their atheism and move on to more constructive activities, especially with s...more
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This book was lent to me by my boyfriend a few weeks ago. I started it a few days ago, and finished it with mixed feelings today. Epstein tries very hard to create a middle ground between religion and the "new atheists" such as Dawkins and Hitchens. It served as a good introduction to the idea of humanism and how one can still participate in community and charity without having to believe in the supernatural.
However, this book gets three stars and not more because it lacks the edge that those...more
However, this book gets three stars and not more because it lacks the edge that those...more
The author sets out to make a case for Humanism - an organized form of non-belief. I found his premise that people like ritual, community, and searching for improvement even if they are not religous compelling. I secretly have thought that many nominally "religious" people are in it more for the fellowship and may not really buy into a lot of the specific leaps of faith that their religion takes.
The book, however, is quite rambly and although many interesting points are made, someone who is a se...more
The book, however, is quite rambly and although many interesting points are made, someone who is a se...more
A lot of books have been written in the last few years exploring whether or not there is a God. This is not one of them.
Refreshingly, Greg Epstein starts a step further down along the line of debate. His premise, stated simply, is this; However they got there, there is now a significant portion of the population who simply do not believe in God. And yet most of them (including himself)live what would be thought of by most as perfectly "good" lives, raising their children, taking care of their p...more
Refreshingly, Greg Epstein starts a step further down along the line of debate. His premise, stated simply, is this; However they got there, there is now a significant portion of the population who simply do not believe in God. And yet most of them (including himself)live what would be thought of by most as perfectly "good" lives, raising their children, taking care of their p...more
Our job as Humanists is not to minimize the role selfishness or brutality have played in human history. It isn't even to overlook or explain away our own temptation to be cruel. In fact, we need to be honest with ourselves because we have to decide -- every day, every minute -- which is it going to be? Cruelty has evolutionary value. Kindness does too. But we can't have both at the same time. And not only do we compete and struggle with each other, we do so within ourselves. We have all these co...more
Wonderful introduction to humanism. Greg Epstein answers the question "Can we be good without god?" with a resounding yes. Thankfully, the book goes beyond how we know right from wrong and offers ways to create culture without religion, and ways for humanists to be involved in creating positive change in the world. As someone who has tried to live a "Christian life" without being Christian, I appreciate having a name to now identify with, as well as Epstein's clear and compassionate voice assert...more
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There are a couple of moments when I'm not completely on board with him, but overall this is a really valuable and important book. He doesn't try to convince the reader that there's no God; instead, he just stipulates that there's no God and focuses attention on the details of developing a positive, moral, and meaningful life in light of that.
He also notes that many religious liberals who espouse a belief in God mean by "God" something completely unlike what religious conservatives mean such th...more
He also notes that many religious liberals who espouse a belief in God mean by "God" something completely unlike what religious conservatives mean such th...more
This book is a classic. A necessity in all libraries; religious or not. There is humanity and morality beyond religion and dogma. Epstein makes a great case for the ethical Humanist (and Atheist) community and provides excellent commentary regarding the importance of, not religion, but ethical behavior precisely because we are human. We have natural capabilities and common sense that exceed any law written in the context of religion. We don’t need a deity to tell us what is inherent in ourselves...more
Although not as expansive as I might have hoped, this book earns a spot on any atheist/humanist's bookshelf. I personally resonate more with his ecumenical (if I can borrow the term) approach to religious beliefs and especially religious people, as compared to the more strident "new atheist" authors. I'll admit to enjoying a Dawkins smackdown as much as the next heathen, but as a humanist chaplain, Epstein takes much greater pains to recognize the full spectrum of religiosity and the allies to b...more
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The title might sound scary and/or blasphemous to many devout theists, but it is actually an insightful look into how nonreligious people view themselves, others, and their relationships to others as nonbelievers. I appreciate Epstein's respect for both the religious and the nonreligious. The book is not an attack on God; rather it is more of an articulation on Humanism. In my understanding, Humanism is very similar to Christianity in praxis.
I appreciate all the little sections of his book that...more
I appreciate all the little sections of his book that...more
I wanted to like this book, really I did. I mostly enjoyed it: it's a good counterbalance to all the work by atheist writers like Hitchens and Dawkins, who tend to be a bit inflammatory and polemical. I have asked before in my book reviews for someone to write an inspiring, deeply-felt book from a non-religious perspective, and I hoped that Epstein's was it.
It was close.
I enjoyed his emphasis on how one's lack of belief can lead to greater compassion, understanding, and empathy in one's dealing...more
It was close.
I enjoyed his emphasis on how one's lack of belief can lead to greater compassion, understanding, and empathy in one's dealing...more
An excellent book that aims to organize humanists into more than just outliers in the mist, but into more of a movement for good in society. Epstein desperately wants humanists to come together in the same way that religious folks do, meeting to discuss secular morality, community wellbeing, individual support, and to help organize personal milestones. Though such groups have come together before, notably the Ethical Society in New York City, they have nothing like the reach of a local evangelic...more
Given that no one humanist speaks for all humanists, Greg Epstein's book is a comprehensive and valuable review of the subject. The book is in large part a plea for humanists everywhere (the "Billion") to recognize themselves as such, form communities and develop traditions. It is a noble idea. It is for the same reason that I nicked one star - a lot of the book describes what could be, not what is. If it were titled "Calling All Humanists", I would give five stars. Still, if you look at the nig...more
This was a solid primer, and should be helpful as you have conversations with your theistic friends. Epstein concretizes and summarizes things that I had known intuitively but would have been at a loss to articulate (so how well did I know them, really?), and he gives great, non-confrontational entrees for dialog with our theistic/ religious friends. There is a non-theological, humanistic argument for behaving well, and Epstein presents it well and cogently.
This is not Hitchens or Dawkins - it'...more
This is not Hitchens or Dawkins - it'...more
I've been trying, for a while now, to figure out exactly where I stand in terms of "belief." This book helped me to solidify my thinking about my attitudes about faith and goodness and humanity. Written like a conversation with a friend, this novel is easy to read, reasonable, and respectful, to both atheists and believers; it's a positive book about how nonreligious people find purpose and meaning in their lives without the constraints of organized religion, and makes a strong case for a long a...more
I read this book and keep thinking - "That's exactly how I feel". Epstein says the things I've thought a long time, and he does it so clearly. I wish I lived somewhere where I could find a community of people to interact with that felt this way too. Actually, I think there are more people around here who go to church that go for the fellowship, but would agree with most of what Epstein puts up - if they were willing to read it.
One of Epstein's points that I like best is that we shouldn't argue...more
One of Epstein's points that I like best is that we shouldn't argue...more
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It’s a book about Humanism – an alternative to traditional religion. The author is the Humanist chaplain at Harvard University Greg M. Epstein holds a B.A. in religion and Chinese, as well as an M.A. in Judaic studies from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in theological studies from the Harvard Divinity School.
He is the Humanist chaplain at Harvard University and a pretty popular guest on radio and TV that has made him a face for Humanism.
I had first read a few excerpts from the book that....more
He is the Humanist chaplain at Harvard University and a pretty popular guest on radio and TV that has made him a face for Humanism.
I had first read a few excerpts from the book that....more
Epstein is a humanist rabbi, who writes passionately about humanism as a religion without gods. He discusses the history of humanist thought, its present status as a movement poorly understood--and about its strong ethical commitment. I like his emphasis on doing, not believing, as the measure of the good life. His commitment to community and his suggestions as to how to be culturally true to one's traditions at the same time being part of the world ring true to me, as a fulfilled humanist-unita...more
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While the book was interesting, it is also a polemic as much as a philosophical treatise. Epstein makes one fatal error in his prescription for secular spirituality. He believes that non-religious communities can fill the gap left by the disappearance of religious communities. My experience tells me he is simply wrong. I'd like to believe he's right, and for some people he clearly is, but for a very large number of people, no commitment to social justice will fill the mystical void of religion....more
The title may sound offensive or blasphemous to the religious, but this book isn't offensive at all — it's a thoughtful lesson on Humanism (one might say that theism is to Christianity as atheism is to Humanism, in super simplistic terms) and what it means in our world. Epstein raises the discussion beyond the theism/atheism debate to a description of ethics and morality beyond religion and dogma. He also does a great job outlining the history of Humanism, describing its long-standing roots and...more
This made for an interesting read, an informative and thought provoking treatment of developing an ethical and moral framework in the absence of belief in the supernatural. While at least one of the scientific concepts that Epstein touched on was clearly one that he misunderstood (Group Selection, which is an incorrect theory anyway), the fact that the book's foci were morals and ethics rather than scientific facts allows for the forgiveness of such errors. I also liked Epstein's non-confrontati...more
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“We've also evolved the ability to simply "pay it forward": I help you, somebody else will help me. I remember hearing a parable when I was younger, about a father who lifts his young son onto his back to carry him across a flooding river. "When I am older," said the boy to his father, "I will carry you across this river as you now do for me." "No, you won't," said the father stoically. "When you are older you will have your own concerns. All I expect is that one day you will carry your own son across this river as I no do for you." Cultivating this attitude is an important part of Humanism--to realize that life without God can be much more than a series of strict tit-for-tat transactions where you pay me and I pay you back. Learning to pay it forward can add a tremendous sense of meaning and dignity to our lives. Simply put, it feels good to give to others, whether we get back or not.”
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3 people liked it
“This is not a book about whether one can be good without God, because that question does not need to be answered --it needs to be rejected outright. To suggest that one can't be good without belief in God is not just an opinion, a mere curious musing -- it is a prejudice.”
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1 person liked it
More quotes…
If you're good, and God really exists, how would it make any difference whether you...more
Aug 30, 2011 05:37am
Aug 30, 2011 08:15am