The God Delusion in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Apr 05, 2012 Nadine in NY Jones rated it liked it

Shelves: science, non-fiction, reason-atheism-and-religion, social-issues-social-sciences

Suddenly I really wanted to read this book - so I marched into my library on my weekly library trip, found it on the shelf, checked it out, and later after dinner I settled down on the couch w/ this book. And promptly fell asleep. Whoops!

I’ve been meaning to read this for a long time, but I never really saw the point. I’m a confirmed Atheist, with no doubts, and I’m not really looking to convert anyone else. I read books to (a) escape, or (b) learn something. I’m not an activist, it’s just not Suddenly I really wanted to read this book - so I marched into my library on my weekly library trip, found it on the shelf, checked it out, and later after dinner I settled down on the couch w/ this book. And promptly fell asleep. Whoops!

I’ve been meaning to read this for a long time, but I never really saw the point. I’m a confirmed Atheist, with no doubts, and I’m not really looking to convert anyone else. I read books to (a) escape, or (b) learn something. I’m not an activist, it’s just not in my nature. While I do enjoy a good argument, I’m not looking to change the world. So, was reviewing a good list of talking points really worth my time if I wasn’t planning a debate? Then two things happened. (1) I got sick of my reading rut and started reading outside my usual zone, and I really enjoyed it. (2) Religion has started to pervade every day life in a really unpleasant and overwhelming way (especially in US politics and laws), and I needed a balm.

I'm having a hard time rating this one. It is well written, and quite often the writing is witty, and it is full of useful information (I've highlighted many passages in my Kindle). But it's been a real slog to get through. I think I just didn't NEED to read a book like this, it's an argument in favor of a position that I'm already solidly in favor of, and I'm not heading out to debate the issues with anyone else so the background information I've gained is interesting, but mostly not needed (granted, there were some very interesting philosophical puzzles discussed). Mostly, I'm glad I'm finished. That was dense.

It's better than 3 stars, but, it was such a slog it's not fair to say "I really liked it" so I can't give it 4 stars. So, 3 stars it is!

By far the funniest passage is this one:

I do not, by nature, thrive on confrontation. I don’t think the adversarial format is well designed to get at the truth, and I regularly refuse invitations to take part in formal debates.

If Dawkins isn't confrontational, I'd hate to see the person who IS! This is the man who confidently told the crowd to mock all believers (I quote from memory: "yes, mock them!") at the 2012 Reason Rally in Washington DC. Mocking is not confrontational?

This book fulfills the "nonfiction" category of the 2015 Ultimate Reading Challenge. ...more

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