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Sacred Cows: A Lighthearted Look at Belief and Tradition Around the World
Did you know God forbids the tying of shoelaces on Saturday? Or that humans emit an color aura which can only be discerned with a Third Eye? That bountiful harvest requires the flinging of a live goat from a church bell tower? That instead of wishing upon a star, we can wish upon a...cow? Well into the 21st century, our species continues to participate in beliefs and customs that seem more suited to the Bronze Age than the Information Age, some of which involve poisonous snakes, holy smoke, urine bubbles, crystals, tarot cards, aliens, costumed virgins and, of course, an offering plate. Join Seth Andrews for a random romp across the planet and a humorous look at some of humanity's sacred cows.
212 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
39 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Seth Andrews
13 books134 followersSeth Andrews is an American author and speaker on the subject of atheism.
He is the creator and host of The Thinking Atheist, and the author of the self-published books Deconverted and Sacred Cows. Prior to his atheist activism, he was a fundamentalist Christian and had a ten-year career as a Christian radio host.
He is the creator and host of The Thinking Atheist, and the author of the self-published books Deconverted and Sacred Cows. Prior to his atheist activism, he was a fundamentalist Christian and had a ten-year career as a Christian radio host.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 16, 2015
This was actually funny stuff. Rating 3.5
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This counts towards my Book Bingo Challenge
Category: Comedy.
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This counts towards my Book Bingo Challenge
Category: Comedy.
July 8, 2022
This is an enjoyable read for people in the mood to laugh at other people's stupidity. It covers silliness from religions, cults, conspiracy theories, and pseudo-science, If you've heard Seth before, it's more of the same. I sure enjoyed it.
July 21, 2015
Sacred Cows: A Lighthearted Look at Belief and Tradition Around the World by Seth Andrews
“Sacred Cows" is a lighthearted look at odd religious beliefs around the world. Premiere atheist podcaster of The Thinking Atheist, video producer and author Seth Andrews takes the reader on a provocative journey on absurd religious beliefs. This entertaining 198-page book includes the following nineteen chapters: 1. Once Bitten, 2. Air Supply, 3. Blowing Smoke, 4. Sacred Cows, 5. Are You Naked Under Those Clothes?, 6. Death Becomes You, 7. Die in the Sky, 8. The Fortune Tellers, 9. The Penis Parade, 10. Santa’s Little Helper, 11. Rise Up and Walk!, 12. Free Long Necks for the Ladies, 13. Circus of the Stars, 14. Sabbath Mode, 15. Can You Put Me Up For The Night?, 16. Wag the Dog, 17. The Order, the Doctrine and the Dude, 18. Running with the Devil, and 19. This is the End (Beautiful Friend).
Positives:
1. A well-written, conversational, brief, witty and entertaining book to read.
2. The fun topic of odd religious beliefs around the world.
3. Great visual format. Loved the cartoon drawings that complement the lighthearted narrative.
4. Andrews makes it perfectly clear that this is a layman tour of odd beliefs and never deviates from it. In short, he makes a promise and keeps it.
5. Andrews engaging and provocative personality shines through the entire book.
6. Interesting facts spruced throughout the book. “…an estimated 125 snake-handling churches take literally the words of Mark 16:18, ‘They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’”
7. A look at “Papal infallibility” and the three conditions that must be met to be so.
8. A humorous look at Hinduism and an amusing list of animals worshipped around the world.
9. The amusing Batshit Scale applied to Mormon beliefs.
10. One of the oddest chapters, the Church of Euthanasia. “Its slogan: ‘Save the Planet, Kill Yourself.’”
11. A fascinating look at fortune tellers. In reference to Sylvia Browne, “Out of the 115 recorded predictions analyzed by S.I., her success rate came in at...zero.”
12. Some chapters are laugh out loud funny, check out the festival called, “Kanamara Matsuri”.
13. The true story behind Saint Nick and the Krampus poem.
14. A look at the scoundrel that is Peter Popoff. “It seems that Popoff was receiving cues from his bride via a tiny earpiece receiver he’d passed off as a “hearing aid” (why the hell would a faith healer need a hearing aid?), and when Randi went public with the information, Peter Popoff spiraled from protest to admission to humiliation to bankruptcy within the course of a year.”
15. Amusing look at body modifiers. “Also in the modify-by-disk department, the Kayan women of Burma have a thing about the neck.”
16. Scientology’s E-Meter. “In fact, according to ex-Scientologist Marc Headley, author of the book “Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology,” the nifty Mark VIII Super Quantum E-Meter will set you back a cool $5,000.”
17. Dudes, there’s a chapter on Jediism and Dudeism.
18. The panic behind Dungeons & Dragons exposed.
19. End of times examples.
20. Notes included.
Negatives:
1. Some amusing stones left unturned, as an example Jainism and some of their extreme practices such as not harming bugs.
2. Also, I would have added a chapter on religious practices with drugs.
3. Drawings aside, this book I suspect would be much better as an audio book.
4. Fun while it lasted but too brief.
5. Not all major religions covered.
6. Some missed opportunities came to mind that would have added value: a table illustrating animals worshipped (narrative there but better captured visually via a table).
7. No formal bibliography.
In summary, this is the perfect book to read on the beach. It’s fun, entertaining and provocative. The high-quality drawings complement the humorous tone. Andrews gives the audience exactly what he promised a light-hearted tour of odd religious beliefs around the world and in that regard he doesn’t disappoint. There were some stones left unturned but overall the book entertains and raises some eyebrows too. I recommend it!
Further recommendations: “Here and Now: A Whimsical Take on God” by Jeff Stilwell, “God Bless America: Strange and Unusual Beliefs and Practices in the United States” by Karen Stollznow, “Crucifying America” and “Atheists Can’t Be Republicans” by C.J. Werleman, Faith Healers” by James Randi, “Inside Scientology” by Janet Reitman, “Atheist Camel” by Bart Centre, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “The Dark Side of Christian History” by Helen Ellerbe, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, “The God Argument” by A.C. Grayling, “50 popular beliefs that people think are true” by Guy P. Harrison, “The Moral Landscape” by Sam Harris, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “The Religion Virus” Craig A. James, “Society Without God” by Phil Zuckerman, “Why I’m Not a Christian” by Richard Carrier, and “Why are you Atheists so Angry?” by Greta Christina.
“Sacred Cows" is a lighthearted look at odd religious beliefs around the world. Premiere atheist podcaster of The Thinking Atheist, video producer and author Seth Andrews takes the reader on a provocative journey on absurd religious beliefs. This entertaining 198-page book includes the following nineteen chapters: 1. Once Bitten, 2. Air Supply, 3. Blowing Smoke, 4. Sacred Cows, 5. Are You Naked Under Those Clothes?, 6. Death Becomes You, 7. Die in the Sky, 8. The Fortune Tellers, 9. The Penis Parade, 10. Santa’s Little Helper, 11. Rise Up and Walk!, 12. Free Long Necks for the Ladies, 13. Circus of the Stars, 14. Sabbath Mode, 15. Can You Put Me Up For The Night?, 16. Wag the Dog, 17. The Order, the Doctrine and the Dude, 18. Running with the Devil, and 19. This is the End (Beautiful Friend).
Positives:
1. A well-written, conversational, brief, witty and entertaining book to read.
2. The fun topic of odd religious beliefs around the world.
3. Great visual format. Loved the cartoon drawings that complement the lighthearted narrative.
4. Andrews makes it perfectly clear that this is a layman tour of odd beliefs and never deviates from it. In short, he makes a promise and keeps it.
5. Andrews engaging and provocative personality shines through the entire book.
6. Interesting facts spruced throughout the book. “…an estimated 125 snake-handling churches take literally the words of Mark 16:18, ‘They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’”
7. A look at “Papal infallibility” and the three conditions that must be met to be so.
8. A humorous look at Hinduism and an amusing list of animals worshipped around the world.
9. The amusing Batshit Scale applied to Mormon beliefs.
10. One of the oddest chapters, the Church of Euthanasia. “Its slogan: ‘Save the Planet, Kill Yourself.’”
11. A fascinating look at fortune tellers. In reference to Sylvia Browne, “Out of the 115 recorded predictions analyzed by S.I., her success rate came in at...zero.”
12. Some chapters are laugh out loud funny, check out the festival called, “Kanamara Matsuri”.
13. The true story behind Saint Nick and the Krampus poem.
14. A look at the scoundrel that is Peter Popoff. “It seems that Popoff was receiving cues from his bride via a tiny earpiece receiver he’d passed off as a “hearing aid” (why the hell would a faith healer need a hearing aid?), and when Randi went public with the information, Peter Popoff spiraled from protest to admission to humiliation to bankruptcy within the course of a year.”
15. Amusing look at body modifiers. “Also in the modify-by-disk department, the Kayan women of Burma have a thing about the neck.”
16. Scientology’s E-Meter. “In fact, according to ex-Scientologist Marc Headley, author of the book “Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology,” the nifty Mark VIII Super Quantum E-Meter will set you back a cool $5,000.”
17. Dudes, there’s a chapter on Jediism and Dudeism.
18. The panic behind Dungeons & Dragons exposed.
19. End of times examples.
20. Notes included.
Negatives:
1. Some amusing stones left unturned, as an example Jainism and some of their extreme practices such as not harming bugs.
2. Also, I would have added a chapter on religious practices with drugs.
3. Drawings aside, this book I suspect would be much better as an audio book.
4. Fun while it lasted but too brief.
5. Not all major religions covered.
6. Some missed opportunities came to mind that would have added value: a table illustrating animals worshipped (narrative there but better captured visually via a table).
7. No formal bibliography.
In summary, this is the perfect book to read on the beach. It’s fun, entertaining and provocative. The high-quality drawings complement the humorous tone. Andrews gives the audience exactly what he promised a light-hearted tour of odd religious beliefs around the world and in that regard he doesn’t disappoint. There were some stones left unturned but overall the book entertains and raises some eyebrows too. I recommend it!
Further recommendations: “Here and Now: A Whimsical Take on God” by Jeff Stilwell, “God Bless America: Strange and Unusual Beliefs and Practices in the United States” by Karen Stollznow, “Crucifying America” and “Atheists Can’t Be Republicans” by C.J. Werleman, Faith Healers” by James Randi, “Inside Scientology” by Janet Reitman, “Atheist Camel” by Bart Centre, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “The Dark Side of Christian History” by Helen Ellerbe, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, “The God Argument” by A.C. Grayling, “50 popular beliefs that people think are true” by Guy P. Harrison, “The Moral Landscape” by Sam Harris, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “The Religion Virus” Craig A. James, “Society Without God” by Phil Zuckerman, “Why I’m Not a Christian” by Richard Carrier, and “Why are you Atheists so Angry?” by Greta Christina.
January 27, 2024
*gigglesnort*
July 16, 2015
3.5 really. Bonus points for the Krampus poem.
sampled-not-interested
March 6, 2025Someone told me I'd find this funny. Read about 10% and came to the conclusion the author has "lighthearted" conflated with "mean-spirited." Also seems to be confused about "being humorous" and "being a dick." Why these are so often traits of people who go from one end of any spectrum to the other, I don't know. Also seems to be a trait of people who then try to cash in on the experience. This just came off as the class clown needing attention.
January 24, 2016
Sacred Cows was a fun, quick read. Chapters were short and there were plenty of neat illustrations. The book covers numerous oddball beliefs and traditions through out the world, some known (Mormonism, Scientology, Fake Healers, Fortune Tellers) and some not so well-known (Cargo Cults, Jedism, Dudeism, Kanamara Matsuri (ugh)). Seth has a way with words the book is full of good humor. I especially liked the chapter about psychics and the different reading methods. These charlatans now seem to be around every corner and the general public is unaware of the tactics they use to make it seem like they have special powers. Cold reading isn't rocket science, and, in fact, James Randi once taught a person off the street to be a convincing psychic in short order. Yet, frauds like John Edward and Sylvia Browne built fortunes of millions from the many gullible folks who handed over their hard earned cash.
I am a fan of his weekly podcast and ordered a personalized copy after he read a chapter on one of his shows. The publisher delayed the book's release so Seth also included a personal apology letter signed by himself and his two dogs Henry and Rat Dog, along with his personal message to me. On the back cover are several endorsements and I think the one that sums up the book best is from comedy writer Maryellen Hooper who says "Warning: this is NOT a compilation of children's bedtime stories (unless you're Christopher Hitchens' kid)."
I am a fan of his weekly podcast and ordered a personalized copy after he read a chapter on one of his shows. The publisher delayed the book's release so Seth also included a personal apology letter signed by himself and his two dogs Henry and Rat Dog, along with his personal message to me. On the back cover are several endorsements and I think the one that sums up the book best is from comedy writer Maryellen Hooper who says "Warning: this is NOT a compilation of children's bedtime stories (unless you're Christopher Hitchens' kid)."
August 26, 2015
Haha! This book is funny and very informative. If you want a brief summary of silliness in the world, this is the book. If you want to laugh a lot while exposing religious contradictions and inconsistencies, this is the book. Enough said. This is my favorite quote:
"It almost seems odd that I was so exposed to Jesus’ crucifixion story in my formative years. Parents shield their young children from restricted films depicting gunshot wounds, knife wounds, physical abuse and excessive gore, but they’re perfectly willing to allow Sunday School lessons featuring full-color drawings of a shredded Jewish guy heaving on a cross with pikes driven through his limbs. Granted, for the youngest eyes, child-targeted material about Jesus’ death is relatively benign, depicting a scant amount of blood with Christ’s flesh remarkably unscathed. As children grow, so does the intensity of the imagery presented to them, moving from vanilla Sunday School illustrations to more intense Passion Play reenactments and ultimately culminating in the equivalent of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” two hours of crimson-spattered torture porn."
"It almost seems odd that I was so exposed to Jesus’ crucifixion story in my formative years. Parents shield their young children from restricted films depicting gunshot wounds, knife wounds, physical abuse and excessive gore, but they’re perfectly willing to allow Sunday School lessons featuring full-color drawings of a shredded Jewish guy heaving on a cross with pikes driven through his limbs. Granted, for the youngest eyes, child-targeted material about Jesus’ death is relatively benign, depicting a scant amount of blood with Christ’s flesh remarkably unscathed. As children grow, so does the intensity of the imagery presented to them, moving from vanilla Sunday School illustrations to more intense Passion Play reenactments and ultimately culminating in the equivalent of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” two hours of crimson-spattered torture porn."
August 8, 2015
Seth's newest book is very entertaining and quite on point (at least for the examples he gives that I have any prior knowledge). He has a way of writing his chapters that begin one way, segue on to a topic that is seemingly off topic while bringing the chapter to a complete close with a concise and thoughtful point in it's conclusion. He is funny and insightful and oddly respectful in his insolence regarding the odd behaviors and beliefs that we humans sometimes have. I very much enjoyed reading this book and am not ashamed to say that after having Seth's voice ingrained in my head from months of listening to The Thinking Atheist podcasts, I often read paragraphs, nay chapters, at a time in his soothing voice. I definitely recommend to both Thinking Atheist followers and noobies alike.
August 29, 2015
Sacred Cows: A Lighthearted Look at Belief and Tradition Around the World is exactly about what it says on the cover. It was an amusing and highly informative book, and the audio version, narrated by the author, who is a radio host, is of high quality.
I must admit, I may be biased here, but I simply loved this book. I am a huge fan of Seth's podcasts, which I listen to whenever I get a chance, and his voice is really soothing. I listened to this at work, and I found found myself either chuckling, grinning, or with a look that said "is this shit real" on my face. Chapter nine managed to combine all three.
So, Seth, great job! I wish you all the best, and look forward to your future works. You have been especially helpful when I was going through that initial stage of opening my eyes.
I must admit, I may be biased here, but I simply loved this book. I am a huge fan of Seth's podcasts, which I listen to whenever I get a chance, and his voice is really soothing. I listened to this at work, and I found found myself either chuckling, grinning, or with a look that said "is this shit real" on my face. Chapter nine managed to combine all three.
So, Seth, great job! I wish you all the best, and look forward to your future works. You have been especially helpful when I was going through that initial stage of opening my eyes.
July 19, 2015
Insightful, witty, and alarming.
January 26, 2025
Seth's second book is great to read when you're in the mood to laugh at the credulity of other people. Then you flip on the news and see that credulous Americans just elected a rapist to the most powerful position on the planet, and it's not so funny any more.
The diversity of religion is one of the stronger arguments against religion. (To me it's pretty much a slam-dunk.) This is called "the argument from inconsistent revelations." John W. Loftus builds it into his book The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True (2013).
Religious people, for their part, have no good answer for religious diversity, so they mostly try to ignore it, except when they try to demonize it. They typically frame a false dichotomy, by referring to "belief" vs. "unbelief," as if there is only one "belief." A quick read of this book should put the lie to that framing.
When having those friendly chats with religious people, I suggest mentioning religious diversity early and often. Most religious people prefer to focus on reasons to believe their own religion (which is usually the one they first heard at age 4). But they must equally have sufficient reasons to reject the equally insubstantiated claims of all competing religions. In many cases, their real (and usually unstated) reason is "I didn't hear about those religions at age 4", which isn't a reason in the logical sense of justifying their belief, but merely an explanation for their particular psychology.
The diversity of religion is one of the stronger arguments against religion. (To me it's pretty much a slam-dunk.) This is called "the argument from inconsistent revelations." John W. Loftus builds it into his book The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True (2013).
Religious people, for their part, have no good answer for religious diversity, so they mostly try to ignore it, except when they try to demonize it. They typically frame a false dichotomy, by referring to "belief" vs. "unbelief," as if there is only one "belief." A quick read of this book should put the lie to that framing.
When having those friendly chats with religious people, I suggest mentioning religious diversity early and often. Most religious people prefer to focus on reasons to believe their own religion (which is usually the one they first heard at age 4). But they must equally have sufficient reasons to reject the equally insubstantiated claims of all competing religions. In many cases, their real (and usually unstated) reason is "I didn't hear about those religions at age 4", which isn't a reason in the logical sense of justifying their belief, but merely an explanation for their particular psychology.
October 5, 2019
Link to my review: https://sierrakilobravo.wordpress.com...
Sacred Cows does exactly what it says on the cover – it takes a lighthearted look at different beliefs and traditions around the world, and gently mocks them with a bit of logic and reason. Sometimes the logic and reason aren’t even needed as the description of the belief or tradition itself is often enough to make you raise your eyebrows in a WTF manner.
The book covers a wide range of subjects from cargo cults, to papal elections, to the Satanic Panic and keeps you interested all along the way. The chapters are short enough that you can read them in one sitting which makes it perfect for commutes or a quick read before bed time. The illustrations by Vincent Deporter complement the text well, and give you a bit of a visual cue about what is being discussed.
My only gripe is a selfish one – I wish Seth had gone into more detail when exposing the ludicrous nature of some beliefs. I’ve have heard him eviscerate certain practices, and would have loved to have seen him do this in the book. Of course, as noted on the cover, it’s not that kind of book, it is rather, a lighthearted look, not a deep expose.
Seth, if you ever read this, maybe your next book could be about that? I would buy that in heartbeat.
I enjoyed Sacred Cows so much that I am now on the hunt for his first book Deconverted: A Journey From Religion to Reason, Seth’s memoir of waking up from religious belief.
Sacred Cows does exactly what it says on the cover – it takes a lighthearted look at different beliefs and traditions around the world, and gently mocks them with a bit of logic and reason. Sometimes the logic and reason aren’t even needed as the description of the belief or tradition itself is often enough to make you raise your eyebrows in a WTF manner.
The book covers a wide range of subjects from cargo cults, to papal elections, to the Satanic Panic and keeps you interested all along the way. The chapters are short enough that you can read them in one sitting which makes it perfect for commutes or a quick read before bed time. The illustrations by Vincent Deporter complement the text well, and give you a bit of a visual cue about what is being discussed.
My only gripe is a selfish one – I wish Seth had gone into more detail when exposing the ludicrous nature of some beliefs. I’ve have heard him eviscerate certain practices, and would have loved to have seen him do this in the book. Of course, as noted on the cover, it’s not that kind of book, it is rather, a lighthearted look, not a deep expose.
Seth, if you ever read this, maybe your next book could be about that? I would buy that in heartbeat.
I enjoyed Sacred Cows so much that I am now on the hunt for his first book Deconverted: A Journey From Religion to Reason, Seth’s memoir of waking up from religious belief.
September 20, 2020
Loved it!
Exactly as it says in the title. The second chapter was more poignant than funny, but there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book. As Andrews asks, in summary:
“Does a purposeful, rich, physically and mentally healthy life really require us to fumble so? When the sun sets on our puerile prayers and practices, do we really think our petitions have kept the stars in their proper alignment? Will we ever stop, look, listen and ultimately laugh at ourselves for being the pratfalling victims of our own superstitious joke? Can we summon the strength to decide that we don’t require a magical bauble chained around our necks, but can create good fortune, good medicine, good deeds, good times and goodwill through decision and action anchored in the real world?”
Exactly as it says in the title. The second chapter was more poignant than funny, but there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book. As Andrews asks, in summary:
“Does a purposeful, rich, physically and mentally healthy life really require us to fumble so? When the sun sets on our puerile prayers and practices, do we really think our petitions have kept the stars in their proper alignment? Will we ever stop, look, listen and ultimately laugh at ourselves for being the pratfalling victims of our own superstitious joke? Can we summon the strength to decide that we don’t require a magical bauble chained around our necks, but can create good fortune, good medicine, good deeds, good times and goodwill through decision and action anchored in the real world?”
May 4, 2020
I listened to the whole book on Audible. If you want to explore some of humanity's....'stranger' side from believers of Scientology, to goat droppings and the smashing of coconuts on live human skulls for good fortune (don't ask...) read in the way only Seth Andrews can pull off, get the audiobook, listen, learn and enjoy. :-)
August 30, 2020
The author is correct, some of the sarcastic remarks might get lost had he not narrated the book himself. Thanks to his radio experience I now know that he wanted to sound sarcastic for 70% of the book.
Even so, at least I learned about cargo cults from this book which are always a good conversation piece.
Even so, at least I learned about cargo cults from this book which are always a good conversation piece.
April 5, 2021
Wanted something light after finishing a somber read but this just felt too trivial to enjoy. Not sure the title fits the way this book sounded on audible. The tone of voice was more sarcastic than lighthearted. It would have been more interesting if the unique beliefs and traditions were discussed without disdain.
February 11, 2020
You will love this!
Its funny and down straight informative. A must read. Have fun and go get it. You will think differently about ‘believes/sacred cows’ you never thought about.... really.... or (omg!) others have!
Its funny and down straight informative. A must read. Have fun and go get it. You will think differently about ‘believes/sacred cows’ you never thought about.... really.... or (omg!) others have!
August 8, 2020
The selection of the traditions and beliefs is interesting.
However, I definitely am not used to this 'radio host voice', the tone comes across as condescending and, frankly, a bit mean and cynical. It took some effort to listen till the end, and I mostly agree with the guy.
However, I definitely am not used to this 'radio host voice', the tone comes across as condescending and, frankly, a bit mean and cynical. It took some effort to listen till the end, and I mostly agree with the guy.
September 24, 2021
Very humorous look at “intelligent” people doing the ridiculous in the name of whatever deity they claim.
“Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.”
“Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.”
“Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.”
“Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.”
May 20, 2022
I listened to the audiobook and the author is a great narrator. The narration and story is entertaining. The drawback is that I missed out on the artwork in the book since I don’t have a physical copy.
November 16, 2025
An adorable, amusing, and entry level look at some ideas out there. Seth does a great job of describing them and poking equal fun at each when needed. A little harsher in other areas. If you take this book as a less serious primer, you should enjoy it.
October 22, 2019
Only recently discovered Seth's work online, and have grinned my way through various podcasts/talks.
I was in the mood for something hilarious and that's what I got.
People are silly.
I was in the mood for something hilarious and that's what I got.
People are silly.
December 12, 2021
Loved this book! Another win for Seth Andrews, and thanks for narrating your own books.
May 14, 2022
A very thoughtful and funny journey into some Sacred Cows. Use of critical thinking and common sense view of these practices and beliefs.
Quite funny.
Quite funny.
April 12, 2025
A snarky walk down a variety of religious traditions around the world. For me, I'd already known about most of these so that probably decreased my enjoyment of this particular book.
September 15, 2016
Basicamente, enquanto "The Righteous Mind" do Haidt dá uma volta ao mundo explicando - ou pelo menos tentando explicar - os motivos que levam pessoas e sociedades a adotarem determinados costumes e posições políticas, este livro dá uma volta ao mundo mostrando os mais diversos costumes e tradições e a visão pessoal do autor em relação a elas.
Não é um trabalho acadêmico, mas é muito bem fundamentado e divertido!
A versão em áudio tem a voz incrível do Seth e a versão em livro tem desenhos legais. Escolha sabiamente!*
Quem quiser saber um pouco do esperar do livro pode ouvir o capítulo sobre jedaísmo no podcast dele ( http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/pod... ).
Em suma, se você se sente ofendido com críticas - mesmo bem-humoradas - a costumes ou dogmas** este livro provavelmente não é para você, caso contrário, é bem divertido!
Review Longo Em Progresso (Vou postar no site!)
*Ou compre a versão em áudio e baixe a versão em livro na Internet, eu acho que é justo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
**Aproveitando, poucas defesas são piores para a continuidade de determinada prática ou costume que "Sempre foi feito assim"
Não é um trabalho acadêmico, mas é muito bem fundamentado e divertido!
A versão em áudio tem a voz incrível do Seth e a versão em livro tem desenhos legais. Escolha sabiamente!*
Quem quiser saber um pouco do esperar do livro pode ouvir o capítulo sobre jedaísmo no podcast dele ( http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/pod... ).
Em suma, se você se sente ofendido com críticas - mesmo bem-humoradas - a costumes ou dogmas** este livro provavelmente não é para você, caso contrário, é bem divertido!
Review Longo Em Progresso (Vou postar no site!)
*Ou compre a versão em áudio e baixe a versão em livro na Internet, eu acho que é justo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
**Aproveitando, poucas defesas são piores para a continuidade de determinada prática ou costume que "Sempre foi feito assim"
September 1, 2017
“Well into the 21st century, our species continues to participate in beliefs and customs that seem more suited to the Bronze Age than the Information Age,” direct from the blurb.
This is sadly, unfortunately, disturbingly true.
Even worse, there are some terribly frightening things presented in this book on how people, in the name of religion or belief or superstition or luck, treat their fellow creatures, and I don’t just mean human beings.
I knew a number of the things Mr. Andrews presents in this short read already, but probably less than half. There are several (and I won’t spoil it for you) I didn’t that I found absolutely hilarious, and several more I wish I still didn’t know.
That he treated everything in an equally humorous and relaxed tone was a nice bonus. Catholicism stands shoulder to shoulder with Hinduism, Mormonism, Scientology, and Jediism and Dudeism (in which I’m ordained, by the way, and you can be too if you want). Snake handling, e-meters, fortune telling and faith healing are all present. So is the Satanic Panic.
While you cruise through the book, you get the feeling that it was a struggle to keep the book this short. I’m fairly certain the author could have come up with the humour to triple the length. It would still read well and he would still have only scratched the surface of weirdness. Humans, after all, have the tendency to believe some pretty crazy sh!t if you let them.
Overall rating: 3 stars. Why only three? Well, I went into things expecting a humour book, and that’s mostly what I got. But for every scenario, every religion, every belief, every chuckle at every weird belief in the book, I kept having the thought in the back of my mind: “Wait, there are people who actually believe this?” That realization tempered the
I might have appreciated a bibliography, though, or at least a reference list to pursue more detail on some of the stranger things presented.
This is sadly, unfortunately, disturbingly true.
Even worse, there are some terribly frightening things presented in this book on how people, in the name of religion or belief or superstition or luck, treat their fellow creatures, and I don’t just mean human beings.
I knew a number of the things Mr. Andrews presents in this short read already, but probably less than half. There are several (and I won’t spoil it for you) I didn’t that I found absolutely hilarious, and several more I wish I still didn’t know.
That he treated everything in an equally humorous and relaxed tone was a nice bonus. Catholicism stands shoulder to shoulder with Hinduism, Mormonism, Scientology, and Jediism and Dudeism (in which I’m ordained, by the way, and you can be too if you want). Snake handling, e-meters, fortune telling and faith healing are all present. So is the Satanic Panic.
While you cruise through the book, you get the feeling that it was a struggle to keep the book this short. I’m fairly certain the author could have come up with the humour to triple the length. It would still read well and he would still have only scratched the surface of weirdness. Humans, after all, have the tendency to believe some pretty crazy sh!t if you let them.
Overall rating: 3 stars. Why only three? Well, I went into things expecting a humour book, and that’s mostly what I got. But for every scenario, every religion, every belief, every chuckle at every weird belief in the book, I kept having the thought in the back of my mind: “Wait, there are people who actually believe this?” That realization tempered the
I might have appreciated a bibliography, though, or at least a reference list to pursue more detail on some of the stranger things presented.
October 17, 2021
Oftentimes, sophomore efforts can be a risky business for creators of any stripe. Whereas his first book, Deconverted, was a rather serious recounting of his journey from Protestant Christianity to atheism, Seth Andrews' second endeavor is a more lighthearted exploration of some of the more unusual religious/cultural traditions around the world, starting from the Snake Handlers of the American south, to the John Frum cargo cults of the South Pacific, to the Giraffe Women of Burma and many, many others. Of course he doestouch on some of the more bizarre aspects of some of the more mainstream faiths, such as the extremely secretive process for selecting a new Pope, the Jewish Sabbath and the temple garments of the Mormons. Some of the practices Seth details positively had me cringing, while others had me laughing out loud. He even touches on some movie based faiths, such as Jediism and Dudeism.
As with his first book, Seth narrates the audiobook himself, and while I'm not always a fan of authors narrating their own work since not every one of them is going to have the right voice for it, Seth is definitely the right man for the job, even laughing himself at some of the more absurd things he narrates, such as when he recites the Klingon version of Psalm 1-1 of the Bible. As he states in the intro, "if you're looking for a history book, this ain't it." But if you're looking for a lighthearted exploration of some of the more unusual cultural traditions around the world, then sit back, relax and enjoy.
As with his first book, Seth narrates the audiobook himself, and while I'm not always a fan of authors narrating their own work since not every one of them is going to have the right voice for it, Seth is definitely the right man for the job, even laughing himself at some of the more absurd things he narrates, such as when he recites the Klingon version of Psalm 1-1 of the Bible. As he states in the intro, "if you're looking for a history book, this ain't it." But if you're looking for a lighthearted exploration of some of the more unusual cultural traditions around the world, then sit back, relax and enjoy.
July 31, 2015
The title really does say at all. It is a lighthearted romp through various Smiths. My only regret is that it didn't include more and, likewise, more detail. Of course, I making the classic mistake in any review in that I'm judging the book based on what I wanted it to be rather than what the author wrote.
I am reminded of a trip to New Mexico where I did in fact visit the call Ace he mentioned where they have the soil with supposed healing properties. I was there during a photo workshop and, everybody was taking home samples of the soil. Even I brought some back for my mother-in-law who specifically requested it no matter how much I tried to convince her of its worthlessness (except possibly as a medium for planting flowers). What I wondered was, how come the whole was almost full with all these people taking dirt out of it every day. Someone clearly had to fill the hole. From where?
I am reminded of a trip to New Mexico where I did in fact visit the call Ace he mentioned where they have the soil with supposed healing properties. I was there during a photo workshop and, everybody was taking home samples of the soil. Even I brought some back for my mother-in-law who specifically requested it no matter how much I tried to convince her of its worthlessness (except possibly as a medium for planting flowers). What I wondered was, how come the whole was almost full with all these people taking dirt out of it every day. Someone clearly had to fill the hole. From where?
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