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Agnostic Khushwant: There Is No God
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248 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
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382 people want to read
About the author
Khushwant Singh
298 books1,432 followersKhushwant Singh, (Punjabi: ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ, Hindi: खुशवंत सिंह) born on 2 February 1915 in Hadali, Undivided India, (now a part of Pakistan), was a prominent Indian novelist and journalist. Singh's weekly column, "With Malice towards One and All", carried by several Indian newspapers, was among the most widely-read columns in the country.
An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.
An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 11, 2016
Rational agnosticism is supposed to be logical yet devoid of fanatic undertones i.e., it should not be pushy by way of prescribing what others should believe. But the first chapter The Need of for a New Religion is disappointing in that the author goes on to prescribe shoulds and shouldn'ts on and on that points to fanaticism similar to that of a religious bigot who thinks his POV is superior to that of anyone else's by the virtue of his beliefs.
The writing has subtle humour that makes it interesting.
While the author has put forth rational and blunt review of religious systems to some extent, I do feel that he has not done enough to substantiate his points. The book is more like a poorly written high-school history book that has a few gemstone quotes with the rest of the uninteresting portion that needs be drudged through. It doesn't look like a balanced or well-researched view to me.
I rather enjoy reading about agnosticism and atheism from Quora!
The writing has subtle humour that makes it interesting.
While the author has put forth rational and blunt review of religious systems to some extent, I do feel that he has not done enough to substantiate his points. The book is more like a poorly written high-school history book that has a few gemstone quotes with the rest of the uninteresting portion that needs be drudged through. It doesn't look like a balanced or well-researched view to me.
I rather enjoy reading about agnosticism and atheism from Quora!
May 26, 2021
1. Who is the author?
Khushwant is a lawyer, writer, diplomat, journalist. He is a great writer.
I appreciated his work, contribution on his own history — the Sikhs.
In his work of Sikhs, he goes in depth about Sikh history, religious history, socio-economic history.
My memory of reading Khushwant was during my time in Chennai, India.
I used to live close to Muthiah Chettiar Boys School, Chennai, India.
2. What is his work about?
His work is a criticism of Religion.
His work is a gentle attempt at Comparative Religion.
3. What was my favorite part from his work?
Kushant has read widely, and contributed to his community’s history — Sikh History.
He quotes Samuel Johnson, famous writer, author of English Dictionary.
My favorite part of this book was Chapter Four.
In Chapter Four, he writes about, Anti-Muslim Prejudices.
Khushwant writes common myths, beliefs of Muslims.
He writes appropriate responses to myths, prejudices.
Everyone needs to be aware of the myths, literate about religious traditions.
Other parts of his work are trivial - Why?
Most of his arguments or objections are part of discourse among detractors. Detractors from, theistic beliefs from any religious tradition.
To which, there are reasonable responses from major religious traditions. I’d say, reasonable responses, to make it rational or tenable.
I like some of Khushwant’s Good Objections:
1) God is not for sale
2) In India, astrology has religious sanction. It must therefore be exorcised from the Indian religion of the future. That it is totally unscientific is beyond dispute. Astronomy is a science; astrology is not.
4. What are his major criticisms?
1. If God is the cause and the world the effect, who created God in the first place?
It is the primary cause, the causa causans, about which we know nothing.
a. The author makes a Philosophy 101 objection.
Within any religious tradition, this objection wouldn’t hold true. Most theists from major religious tradition would say, they don’t believe in a created God. In their definition, he would be a necessary being.
2. Instead of entering into a pointless debate on whether or not God exists, it is more important to bear in mind that belief in the existence of God has little bearing on making a person a good or a bad citizen.
a. This is a serious flawed understanding.
b. No Major Religious tradition claims, one can't live a moral life without it.
c. Most Religious tradition offer to practice faith, and build up virtues for human flourishing.
d. Many Religious Traditions, have produced virtuous people through their practices.
A simple example from any of the religious tradition: A Question on Forgiveness — how can someone forgive if they themselves have not felt forgiven?
3. In the Chapter of Founders of Religions, Khushwant goes into, how it all came into being, any religious tradition.
a. To show something is not true, due to origins -- He commits the classic, Genetic fallacy.
4. The ultimate purpose of religion should be to abstain from causing hurt to all living things – human beings, flaura and fauna – as far as possible.
a. A cursory reading would seem that this is true.
b. Unfortunately, no human being has lived without hurting another.
c. Most importantly, Kushant seems to have made basic foundational mistake.
d. In Easter Europe about few decades ago, during Communist times.
People wanted a utopian government; Where factory managers are assumed to be benevolent, care for their own workers. And in the end, all are equal, happy.
Did that happen? Contrary to their assumption, managers were corrupt, prideful, vengeful, hoarded wealth, treated workers with contempt.
Why?
Let's see response from history, on why?
e. Famous English Physician and Philosopher, John Locke’s response would be -- human nature has a predilection to do evil.
Locke would say, manifestation of predilection to do evil from human heart comes out in ways like jealousy, envy, contempt, greed et al. Therefore, Kushawant, the author gets, human nature wrong.
When the author builds other beliefs, with this wrong assumption, it is bound to fail everything else.
5. What is my own summary of him?
When doing a work of criticism, it is highly important to represent your opponent accurately.
“
The Judaic group maintains that God created the world, sent out Adam and Eve to propagate the human race and created all other forms of life. According to it, one day, all life on earth will end and there will be a Day of Judgement when people will rise from their graves to be judged for the good or evil they did in life and accordingly be sent to heaven or hell. The Judeo-Christian-Muslim view of life is linear: it has a beginning, a middle and an end.
“
Unfortunately, this is not the exact belief or representation. Therefore, his understanding is woefully wrong.
Former Anglican Bishop, N.T Wright would say, "Criticisms are good, yet why bother on someone, when he can't represent accurately?"
He has borrowed content from his other work on Sikh History, which is not surprising.
I'd only recommend Chapter Four - Why? Because, it extinguishes common myths against prejudices and bias. This would take less than 20 minutes. Other parts are not true, not represented accurately.
Deus, Vult
Gottfried
Khushwant is a lawyer, writer, diplomat, journalist. He is a great writer.
I appreciated his work, contribution on his own history — the Sikhs.
In his work of Sikhs, he goes in depth about Sikh history, religious history, socio-economic history.
My memory of reading Khushwant was during my time in Chennai, India.
I used to live close to Muthiah Chettiar Boys School, Chennai, India.
2. What is his work about?
His work is a criticism of Religion.
His work is a gentle attempt at Comparative Religion.
3. What was my favorite part from his work?
Kushant has read widely, and contributed to his community’s history — Sikh History.
He quotes Samuel Johnson, famous writer, author of English Dictionary.
My favorite part of this book was Chapter Four.
In Chapter Four, he writes about, Anti-Muslim Prejudices.
Khushwant writes common myths, beliefs of Muslims.
He writes appropriate responses to myths, prejudices.
Everyone needs to be aware of the myths, literate about religious traditions.
Other parts of his work are trivial - Why?
Most of his arguments or objections are part of discourse among detractors. Detractors from, theistic beliefs from any religious tradition.
To which, there are reasonable responses from major religious traditions. I’d say, reasonable responses, to make it rational or tenable.
I like some of Khushwant’s Good Objections:
1) God is not for sale
2) In India, astrology has religious sanction. It must therefore be exorcised from the Indian religion of the future. That it is totally unscientific is beyond dispute. Astronomy is a science; astrology is not.
4. What are his major criticisms?
1. If God is the cause and the world the effect, who created God in the first place?
It is the primary cause, the causa causans, about which we know nothing.
a. The author makes a Philosophy 101 objection.
Within any religious tradition, this objection wouldn’t hold true. Most theists from major religious tradition would say, they don’t believe in a created God. In their definition, he would be a necessary being.
2. Instead of entering into a pointless debate on whether or not God exists, it is more important to bear in mind that belief in the existence of God has little bearing on making a person a good or a bad citizen.
a. This is a serious flawed understanding.
b. No Major Religious tradition claims, one can't live a moral life without it.
c. Most Religious tradition offer to practice faith, and build up virtues for human flourishing.
d. Many Religious Traditions, have produced virtuous people through their practices.
A simple example from any of the religious tradition: A Question on Forgiveness — how can someone forgive if they themselves have not felt forgiven?
3. In the Chapter of Founders of Religions, Khushwant goes into, how it all came into being, any religious tradition.
a. To show something is not true, due to origins -- He commits the classic, Genetic fallacy.
4. The ultimate purpose of religion should be to abstain from causing hurt to all living things – human beings, flaura and fauna – as far as possible.
a. A cursory reading would seem that this is true.
b. Unfortunately, no human being has lived without hurting another.
c. Most importantly, Kushant seems to have made basic foundational mistake.
d. In Easter Europe about few decades ago, during Communist times.
People wanted a utopian government; Where factory managers are assumed to be benevolent, care for their own workers. And in the end, all are equal, happy.
Did that happen? Contrary to their assumption, managers were corrupt, prideful, vengeful, hoarded wealth, treated workers with contempt.
Why?
Let's see response from history, on why?
e. Famous English Physician and Philosopher, John Locke’s response would be -- human nature has a predilection to do evil.
Locke would say, manifestation of predilection to do evil from human heart comes out in ways like jealousy, envy, contempt, greed et al. Therefore, Kushawant, the author gets, human nature wrong.
When the author builds other beliefs, with this wrong assumption, it is bound to fail everything else.
5. What is my own summary of him?
When doing a work of criticism, it is highly important to represent your opponent accurately.
“
The Judaic group maintains that God created the world, sent out Adam and Eve to propagate the human race and created all other forms of life. According to it, one day, all life on earth will end and there will be a Day of Judgement when people will rise from their graves to be judged for the good or evil they did in life and accordingly be sent to heaven or hell. The Judeo-Christian-Muslim view of life is linear: it has a beginning, a middle and an end.
“
Unfortunately, this is not the exact belief or representation. Therefore, his understanding is woefully wrong.
Former Anglican Bishop, N.T Wright would say, "Criticisms are good, yet why bother on someone, when he can't represent accurately?"
He has borrowed content from his other work on Sikh History, which is not surprising.
I'd only recommend Chapter Four - Why? Because, it extinguishes common myths against prejudices and bias. This would take less than 20 minutes. Other parts are not true, not represented accurately.
Deus, Vult
Gottfried
January 30, 2021
This book is confused. Khuswant singh is a chameleon. He claims to be agnostic but at the same time defends Islam, which is a fundamentalist religion. He praises Islam and Sikhism a lot. What kind of agnostic does that?
People committed crimes because their consciences were undisturbed; they learnt to square their lying and cheating by paying lip service to God, by displaying external symbolism and performing rituals. Moral values went completely haywire. Lying, which was condemned as a sin by religion but not punished by secular law (unless on oath in court), became common. Deviations from what were regarded as normal pattern of behaviour in matters of sex assumed exaggerated importance. While in the advanced societies of the West, adultery and homosexuality came to be regarded as people’s private business, with us Indians they became matters of public censure. A ‘godless’West liberated itself of sexual inhibitions but learnt to be more truthful; a ‘religious’India learnt to forgive liars and cheaters but condemned lechers and sodomists. The cleanest bill of moral health that could be paid to an Indian by Indians was his being naadey da succha –having the purity of the pyjama cord. Paradoxically, with the loosening of the hold of religion, we also lost our respect for women as mothers, sisters and daughters and incidents of ‘eve teasing’and rape increased. There remains another aspect of religion: an individual’s personal equation with himself or herself. If he or she was unhappy or if his or her mind was disturbed, he or she sought guidance from his or her guru and, according to the latter’s instructions, chanted appropriate mantras, did yoga asanas and meditation to bring peace to his or her tortured mind. In the West, these functions came to be largely performed by the psychiatrists, although some godmen and godwomen flourished.
People committed crimes because their consciences were undisturbed; they learnt to square their lying and cheating by paying lip service to God, by displaying external symbolism and performing rituals. Moral values went completely haywire. Lying, which was condemned as a sin by religion but not punished by secular law (unless on oath in court), became common. Deviations from what were regarded as normal pattern of behaviour in matters of sex assumed exaggerated importance. While in the advanced societies of the West, adultery and homosexuality came to be regarded as people’s private business, with us Indians they became matters of public censure. A ‘godless’West liberated itself of sexual inhibitions but learnt to be more truthful; a ‘religious’India learnt to forgive liars and cheaters but condemned lechers and sodomists. The cleanest bill of moral health that could be paid to an Indian by Indians was his being naadey da succha –having the purity of the pyjama cord. Paradoxically, with the loosening of the hold of religion, we also lost our respect for women as mothers, sisters and daughters and incidents of ‘eve teasing’and rape increased. There remains another aspect of religion: an individual’s personal equation with himself or herself. If he or she was unhappy or if his or her mind was disturbed, he or she sought guidance from his or her guru and, according to the latter’s instructions, chanted appropriate mantras, did yoga asanas and meditation to bring peace to his or her tortured mind. In the West, these functions came to be largely performed by the psychiatrists, although some godmen and godwomen flourished.
November 28, 2012
With Fifteen chapters "Agnostic Khuswant- There is no god" tries to highlight the dogmatism and irrationality associated with religions across the world. The book feels religious scriptures must be seen as books of literature and not as rule books as many things in such books are questionable and lack logical reasoning. The authors dare to challenge rituals, religious processes and Godmen.
The last two chapters the book are critical on the Dalai Lama and Swami Vivekananda. Some of the quotes of Swami Vivekananda provided in the book makes a typical Hindu rethink about the high position provided to him. For example, the book says around 100 years ago Swamiji had predicted that Europe will crumble in the following 50 years.
The authors have provided some description about sources and basic tenets of all religion. However, what distracts a reader is disproportional discussion on Shikh religion. Again it is difficult to find out how much of the quotes are result of selective absorption, selective retention and selective distortion. Authors at many places have provided quotes leaving it to the reader to interpret. At some places, the book lacks natural flow and structure, some concepts/information are repetitive in nature.
The book will be a great read (except a few chapters)if you have been blindly believing religion and rituals. It will make you think. For example if you believe every creation needs to have a creator and God is that creator, the book will simulate your intellect to ask who has created God.
Not a great read if you have already done some research on religion and its origin; if have evaluated logically the rituals and their significance.
The last two chapters the book are critical on the Dalai Lama and Swami Vivekananda. Some of the quotes of Swami Vivekananda provided in the book makes a typical Hindu rethink about the high position provided to him. For example, the book says around 100 years ago Swamiji had predicted that Europe will crumble in the following 50 years.
The authors have provided some description about sources and basic tenets of all religion. However, what distracts a reader is disproportional discussion on Shikh religion. Again it is difficult to find out how much of the quotes are result of selective absorption, selective retention and selective distortion. Authors at many places have provided quotes leaving it to the reader to interpret. At some places, the book lacks natural flow and structure, some concepts/information are repetitive in nature.
The book will be a great read (except a few chapters)if you have been blindly believing religion and rituals. It will make you think. For example if you believe every creation needs to have a creator and God is that creator, the book will simulate your intellect to ask who has created God.
Not a great read if you have already done some research on religion and its origin; if have evaluated logically the rituals and their significance.
February 27, 2016
I myself being an athiest feels that this book is true to some extent. I undoubtedly believe that there is no god but unlike Kushwant I don't even believe in any religion or need of any new religion and I am also not interested in debating about creator of humans or life after death, science has proved a lot than these religions could. I feel many religious arguments are illogical and based on fear of death or need and greed. What I believe is truth and live life to the fullest....enjoy each second of your life because there is no rebirth waiting for you.
April 20, 2019
Fairly significant read for me, since I've recently become aware of Khushwant Singh's beliefs and have been excited about learning more about how he reconciles his privately held beliefs and reasoning with that of his larger community and family. I finished this book in a single sitting, got most of the answers I was looking for, and I'm glad.
A LOT of this book is fluff, by which I mean the stuff that the editors seem to have dropped in just to make pad this collection of writings into a book-length feature. There are whole chapters containing nothing but translations of passages from the Quran and the Guru Granth Sahib. There are profiles on Gurus, Swamis, and Lamas that seemed wildly out of place in a book titled the way this one is. And there is an extreme focus on Sikhism as a guinea pig for his opinions and criticisms of organized religion in general (this was pointed out in multiple reviews I read, but is more of a plus point for me anyway, since his opinions about Sikhism are what I was most curious about).
But there are some gems here as well. I loved reading the first chapter in particular, 'The Need for a New Religion - Without a God', which dissects the elements of religion in general and attempts to build what he believes a modern religion should look like (This is also where the subtitle comes from: "In my personalized religion, there is no God"). I believe this chapter should be essential reading for just about everyone.
A LOT of this book is fluff, by which I mean the stuff that the editors seem to have dropped in just to make pad this collection of writings into a book-length feature. There are whole chapters containing nothing but translations of passages from the Quran and the Guru Granth Sahib. There are profiles on Gurus, Swamis, and Lamas that seemed wildly out of place in a book titled the way this one is. And there is an extreme focus on Sikhism as a guinea pig for his opinions and criticisms of organized religion in general (this was pointed out in multiple reviews I read, but is more of a plus point for me anyway, since his opinions about Sikhism are what I was most curious about).
But there are some gems here as well. I loved reading the first chapter in particular, 'The Need for a New Religion - Without a God', which dissects the elements of religion in general and attempts to build what he believes a modern religion should look like (This is also where the subtitle comes from: "In my personalized religion, there is no God"). I believe this chapter should be essential reading for just about everyone.
May 18, 2020
Quite rational with fiery reason. I liked it the more because I myself am an agnostic. God is a creation of man. God cannot be for humans only. Religion is just a business, it is doing more harm to the society than good. I wish I had read this book some years ago when Khushwant Singh Ji was amongst us. I would have loved to meet him. Superbly awakening book. A must read for all.
Quite rational with fiery reason. I liked it the more because I myself am an agnostic. God is a creation of man. God cannot be for humans only. Religion is just a business, it is doing more harm to the society than good. I wish I had read this book some years ago when Khushwant Singh Ji was amongst us. I would have loved to meet him. A superbly awakening book. A must read for all.
Quite rational with fiery reason. I liked it the more because I myself am an agnostic. God is a creation of man. God cannot be for humans only. Religion is just a business, it is doing more harm to the society than good. I wish I had read this book some years ago when Khushwant Singh Ji was amongst us. I would have loved to meet him. A superbly awakening book. A must read for all.
May 20, 2018
He has shown his reservations about religions and it peripherals like religious customs , processions etc. While his execrations were particularly severe for Hindus for their practice of cleanliness and their customs, he spared Muslims as according to him they are follower of 1 book.
He did not castigate Sikhs as compared to Hindus because he vaunted the concept of GURU over the concept of GOD. English is super fluid just as fluid as screeds of a curmudgeon old man about his disbelieves .
He did not castigate Sikhs as compared to Hindus because he vaunted the concept of GURU over the concept of GOD. English is super fluid just as fluid as screeds of a curmudgeon old man about his disbelieves .
January 8, 2022
Eloquent, funny and thought provoking. Khushwant Singh has a way of making you laugh while saying things which would be considered blasphemy. He makes you question your beliefs, thought process and the way you've perceived religion and God. Born in a sikh family, I've always considered myself spiritual yet not religious. This book has put my beliefs into words!
May 9, 2017
I added it to my bookshelves (among Read- to be Dead!) with one star and an elaborate write up, justifying my rating. It appears that, through some angelic hand, Agnostic Khushwant was withdrawn from my shelf. How ironic! Agnostic being helped by God's hand! Anyway, I don't want to reiterate what I had epistolized previously.
May 27, 2013
I have been following his coloum "with malice towards one and all" from past 6 or 7 years, and I respect this man for his unorthodox way of writing.
I read this book 3 months ago.
This book is a short study or study about the concept of God in different religions and how our hypocrite society deal with it.
I won't say tht its the best or outstanding work of khushwant singh but for those who really want to experience the "truth" about God.
please read this book.
This book deals with many beautiful topics like the literature, poems included in most of the religious texts especially the beautiful poems by muslim poets like iqbal.
I read this book 3 months ago.
This book is a short study or study about the concept of God in different religions and how our hypocrite society deal with it.
I won't say tht its the best or outstanding work of khushwant singh but for those who really want to experience the "truth" about God.
please read this book.
This book deals with many beautiful topics like the literature, poems included in most of the religious texts especially the beautiful poems by muslim poets like iqbal.
November 21, 2012
Its not blatantly rude and blunt like others in the same category. I am referring to The God Delusion by Dawkins here. But yes it has a charm that no other author could have brought to the subject.
This book makes a strong case for a person's piety, morals and values (not faith) without adhering to rules or religions.
Brings out the good points of all the preachers and religions but dissuades the stringent dogma that has become inherent with religions of today.
Aptly said... Agnostic and not atheist!
This book makes a strong case for a person's piety, morals and values (not faith) without adhering to rules or religions.
Brings out the good points of all the preachers and religions but dissuades the stringent dogma that has become inherent with religions of today.
Aptly said... Agnostic and not atheist!
April 15, 2013
It is in this book I learned that most likely the Sikh religion was born from a NDE (Near Death Experience) experienced by their historical Guru Nanak.
Read a long time ago, this is what I remember most because it exemplified vividly the fact that all religions derive their teachings from what lots of people have experienced in their NDEs over the ages.
Read various books on NDEs (www.nderf.org) to be convinced on the existence of life after death and how it has now been demonstrated by many different researches and doctors.
Read a long time ago, this is what I remember most because it exemplified vividly the fact that all religions derive their teachings from what lots of people have experienced in their NDEs over the ages.
Read various books on NDEs (www.nderf.org) to be convinced on the existence of life after death and how it has now been demonstrated by many different researches and doctors.
November 17, 2012
one of the best book i have read about religion. Before readin this, I do have confusions in my mind regarding religion in this modern era.
I dont say that after reading confusions are cleared. but some of the are really.
but I am happy that atleast someone else is also there who has the same thinking as I.
Happy Reading !
I dont say that after reading confusions are cleared. but some of the are really.
but I am happy that atleast someone else is also there who has the same thinking as I.
Happy Reading !
August 6, 2016
This book is a collection of a select few of Khushwant Singh's articles on the subject of religion. Some sections get into the details of verses in the Granth Sahib and Quran which was a bit boring. Overall, there isn't much new content to be derived from this book. Some sections are thought provoking, though..
June 17, 2014
Yet again brutally frank expression of views by the inimitable Khushwant Singh. He questions the existence of God and religious practices. He rightly questions the exploitation in the name of religion. However, perhaps the most remarkable utterances are about Islam and the way he responds to the stereo typing of Muslims. The book is worth reading for just this chapter.
January 6, 2013
The book is nice for those with very little knowledge of religions ... Its a sensitive topic, so everyone will have their point of view... The book is more informational and less judgmental. The title is misleading :)
December 27, 2016
He knows what he is talking about. but he sounds convincing only on two pages. instead of justifying the title "there is no god" he is more into justifying "why there should n no god". nicely scripted but a disappointment.
January 8, 2023
see the truth .
July 25, 2014
Everyone should have right to choose or customize their religion. I made mine and there is no god..
April 2, 2017
Not sure, what is the real message of this book. It's only Mr. Khushwant singh's views that he has exclaimed all over without having a strong basis of foundation of idea behind the religion and it's working models.
Good part is you would get to know about sikhism and Sikh morals in very brief.
Memorable lines for me from a poet mentioned in this book :
Masjid dhhade, Mandir dhhade,
Dhhade jo hai dhhenda,
Ek kisi ka dil na dhhanwe,
rab dila wich rehnda...
Good part is you would get to know about sikhism and Sikh morals in very brief.
Memorable lines for me from a poet mentioned in this book :
Masjid dhhade, Mandir dhhade,
Dhhade jo hai dhhenda,
Ek kisi ka dil na dhhanwe,
rab dila wich rehnda...
November 27, 2018
South Asia's (much milder) version of Christopher Hitchens.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews