Letter to a Christian Nation

I recommend reading this book, but doing so critically.My impression is that the author attempted to make his points using a rapid pace and inflammatory speech, such that it’s easy to get swept away by emotions without taking a step back to critically think of each of the quite numerous thoughts the author puts forth.The logic of arguments is particularly bad. A good argument has three components: (a) well defined clear terms, (b) premises that are true as one can prove anything from false premises, and (c) tight logic that the conclusions naturally result from the premises. This work has a large number or quite vague terms (“many” or “scientists” or “never”). If you took a drink every time an ambiguous term was used, you’d be under the table well before finishing a third of the book. Second, many premises are not proved or at least suspect. There are many Christian works that state they believe in the resurrection of Jesus because of evidence, not just on faith. Mr. Harris states Christians believe in the resurrection by faith. That’s just not true for all Christians. They may be incorrect in their historical accuracy, but the premise that they are taking the resurrection on faith is not correct. Finally, important conclusions were drawn without being proven. Candidly, this was frustrating, as I wanted to understand Mr. Harris’ points, but the logic was so muddled, it was a frustrating read. He shared much authentically felt opinions and emotions, but there are other explanations to his assertions and he really proved concretely very little.I wished or was surprised a few things were not addressed or not discussed in greater detail in this bookFor example, the Design argument against atheism simply states where there is design, there is a designer, and there is much design in the universe, hence there is likely a designer. That doesn’t prove what type of God exists, but does make a strong case for some sort of designing god. Mr. Harris talks about the design not making sense or not being intelligent ... but that would just indicate a poor designing type of God exists . If I go to a museum and see a Picasso, I may think it’s a horribly painted painting, but not for a second – because the painting to me doesn’t make sense – do I conclude that there’s not a painter. Mr. Harris seems to indicate that since design is not intelligent based on his definition of intelligent, a god does not exist. That conclusion does not follow the premises.I also had the impression that Mr. Harris does not like the type of god that exists. This is his right to believe and feel this way ... but he really didn’t prove that god didn’t exist.He did do a very heartfelt and excellent review of the argument against god because of the existence of evil and suffering. CS Lewis’ The problem of Pain is the best intellectual discussion on this topic, but Mr. Harris did an excellent job of stating the argument exceedingly strongly. I would read Lewis’ work on this as well to review both sides and choose which makes more sense for yourself, as well as Peter Kreeft’s work on the existence of God. Again, read both and draw your own conclusions.Finally, and this really was missing, is that the lynch pin of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. Disprove the resurrection and Christianity is completely devastated. The resurrection got a few sentences in this book but nothing near the focus that should have received if one is arguing against Christianity.My wish list would be for Mr. Harris to address a few points : (a) did a historical Jesus did exist .... it's interesting that 10 non-christian historians mention Jesus, which is odd that the same number of historians would mention a small town Jewish day laborer (Jesus) as did the number of historians who mentioned Tiberius Caesar. (b) there’s historical references Jesus was crucified and there’s no evidence of anyone ever surviving a crucifixion – a good read is the Mayo clinic’s medical overview of the impact of scourging and crucifixion on a human being. It appears the historical Jesus was really executed and was dead (c) why would at least 11 of Jesus closest followers be killed because they refused to renounce that Jesus rose from the dead – and they would have known if this was true or not, (d) how James (the brother of Jesus) and Paul went from anti Christian to dying for their belief in the resurrection, and (e) the tomb of Jesus was empty or at least it makes no sense that if the tomb had a body, the enemies of Chrisianity would have tossed his body in the street.Again, Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection and I was very surprised that none of these five areas were addressed, as invalidating all of them would be devastating to Christianity.

I think this book is a great logical basis for someone religious to etch themselves away from intellectual dishonesty and into having some integrity in what you say. You don't know. You may believe, and that's fine. But let’s be real here, the word belief in itself (as used in religion) implies there is significant reason to doubt.Therefore you don't know (as some of you claim), you simply "make believe" that what you like/prefer/agree is the truth.There is absolutely no intellectual integrity arguing what you believe. We might as well be arguing that Apples taste better when I eat them than they do when you do. I would get no satisfaction with winning that argument. Mostly because I am not 7yrs old. Yet this is the very argument held today by adults.. My god is the real god.. My gods word is the truth and everything else is a satanic conspiracy...my god will come back from the dead and you will burn forever because you don't believe in my god.. I believe in my god more than you believe in yours....etc...a child's argument yet wars are still being fought today over this same ridiculous argument. Families are broken up. Friendships are destroyed. Employment is terminated. love is lost..and LIFE is ENDED...all because I think apples taste better to me than they do to you.We argue things that can be tested and confirmed. We discuss things we believe and that’s as far as it needs to ever go.So this notion that Atheism is attacking religion is BS. Society is SICK OF LIES because of all the political and corporate scams. Because of authority after authority manipulating the people...and because of this, society is SO SICK of being lied to that society can no longer stand on the sidelines to protect the feelings of "make believers" our of societal etiquette (cultural respect). All the lies are being brought to the table and unfortunately for religion, you fit right into the other entire BS that is being pawned off as truth/fact.Belief is one thing, but arguing those untestable beliefs has created a great divide in society and the integrity of their word. It has gone so far to the point that you are forced to lie (believe) in order to maintain respect from your community/family/piers/employers etc....Imagine a society that insists you lie to fit in so they can feel safe around you. I wonder if that society leaves the gate open for charlatans like psychics/faith healers or even pedophiles in a church? I have to wonder, does becoming a pastor make you a pedophile? or does the incentive of "the benefit of the doubt” that religious people appoint to the believer encourage pedophiles to get into a position that is trusted like a pastor?There must be some responsibility of enabling here especially since in the USA alone there were over 6,500 pastors accused/convicted of sexual crimes. This is also true for thieves and abusers of all sorts. Religion has opened up a great trail for criminals of all walks to travel. This door opened with the significances of belief.What does it matter what god anyone believes in when you can never know if they really believe or not? If you want to argue that you can tell then you are saying that the parents of the children all knew the pastor was a fraud yet still trusted them with their children. So why have any significance to belief at all? anyway...this is where I would hope this discussion leads to.Remove the significance of belief all together. make people show you who they are by their actions, not by a label (Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/Mormon/etc..) Personally, the more someone professes their faith the less I trust them. To me you are just trying to get me to think you are a good person without having to do anything to show me you are.Sam makes a lot of great points with analogies that are easy to illustrate even to the most persistent of the "make believers". The fact we are expected to entertain adults that expect you to play make believe with them or be viewed from a bigoted/prejudice viewpoint (or even be put to death for not playing make believe) is finally coming to an end.Thank you Sam and all actively involved in the exposure of people that argue their "beliefs" as facts.Believe what you want people, but don't argue things you cannot test. It creates "enemies of imagination" and I certainly don't want you hating me simply because you cannot imagine what I believe.Stick to arguing facts (testable things) and we will all get along.

Sam Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation is an articulate, no apologies challenge to adherents of religion. Prior to reading this, I read Harris' "The End of Faith". While "End of Faith" makes similar points, it rambles considerably and dwells too long on consciousness and meditation. Skip directly to "Letter" and you get the essence of Harris' viewpoint.Harris throws down the gauntlet; religious fanaticism stands in the way of scientific advancements and poses a very real threat to our survival. Furthermore, tolerance of religious diversity is often, by nature, false and dangerous. He makes the point that while liberal Christians feign tolerance of other religions, in truth they believe that their own brand of religion is the only path to God and heaven. This hypocrisy is a flimsy veneer over what is really intolerance of other's religious views. So, while they may outwardly purport to support divergent views, when push comes to shove they really believe that those with different religious views will go to hell (or at least not be afforded the same benefits of an everlasting life in paradise). And, while liberal Christians preach tolerance, he suggests that other more strident religions such as Muslims gain strength under the shelter of such tolerance.Harris makes the point that any good derived from organized religion could stem as well from agnostic altruism. That we are at a balance point in our societal development where we must find ways to support spirituality and benevolence without the need for religious dogma.I found it an easy and interesting read, and Harris makes blunt, rational and thought-provoking points. I am curious to read some of the numerous rebuttals to Harris' work.

Livro perfeito para compreender o secularismo e as tendências fanáticas da religião nos Estados Unidos da América.

Très bien

It was great reading this book, it really did give me more information and opened my mind to some objections that we need to have towards religions. It is a small book, quick to finish and very direct. It is also a great help to free the mind from pernicious religious beliefs that might still be hindering your life.

Ich war erst skeptisch, da das ich offenbar an Amerikaner gerichtet ist, daher für andere Länder vielleicht nicht viel Interessantes bringe, doch ich würde positiv überrascht. Vieles, leider zu vieles, trifft auch auf unsere Gesellschaft zu. Gut geschrieben, gut und flüssig zu lesen, gutes handliches Format. Auch denjenigen zu empfehlen, für die the end of faith zu mühsam ist. Dort dafür dann sehr viel ausführlichere Referenzen und Quellenangaben als in diesem kleinen Miniband. Gute Ergänzung. In diesem kleinen Band sind die einzelnen Argumente gut überschaubar kurz und auf den Punkt gebracht.

This Letter is short but very concise and hard hitting.It's choc full of carefully chosen, and often astonishing, stats. It's logic, intelligence and knowledge base are compelling and undeniable. The writing style is forthright, direct and takes no prisoners. It will arm you with a multitude of great facts n stats to blow anyone away in seconds.Highly recommended to all people living on planet earth :)