Questions About Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide to Atheism

by Richard Dawkins (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (6)

The title of the book assumes existence of God because you can outgrow God only if you understand God. Has Richard Dawkins become a believer?

Ana The book does not assume the existence of god. It refers to outgrowing the indoctrination, the blind belief.

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In what ways does this differ from The God Delusion?

Ana Easier to read and shorter, which makes it more accessible for a younger audience or people who found The God Delusion to be too long. Some of the arg…moreEasier to read and shorter, which makes it more accessible for a younger audience or people who found The God Delusion to be too long. Some of the arguments and examples are new but the points he makes are essentially the same. (less)

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Will this book convince anyone to change their minds about God or is Dawkins just "preaching to the choir"?

Avid I feel like it will encourage some people, particularly teens, to examine the foundations of the religion into which they may have been indoctrinated.…moreI feel like it will encourage some people, particularly teens, to examine the foundations of the religion into which they may have been indoctrinated. It allows the space, intellectually, to land on the side of science and reason. I don’t feel like it’s heavy-handed, nor is it “preaching to the choir”. It just opens up the land of intellectual curiosity to those who may be struggling to make sense of their religion’s teachings. (less)

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Should I read this or "The God Delusion"?

Murshid If you have to choose one, I'd recommend The God Delusion, which has a lot more in it compared to Outgrowing God. But if you can, then read both. …moreIf you have to choose one, I'd recommend The God Delusion, which has a lot more in it compared to Outgrowing God. But if you can, then read both. (less)

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Should we believe in God? Do we need God in order to explain the existence of the universe? Do we need God in order to be good?

John "Do we need God in order to explain the existence of the universe?"

One will come a heck of a lot more toward understanding the "existence of the unive…more"Do we need God in order to explain the existence of the universe?"

One will come a heck of a lot more toward understanding the "existence of the universe" through understanding the universe. One will come a heck of a lot closer to understanding the universe through studying physics, astronomy, and geology.
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