Atheist Books are becoming Best Sellers

Roopster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:31 pm **Posts:** 30

- The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins;
- Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris;
- God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist, by Victor J. Stenger.
- God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, by Christopher Hitchens;
- Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, by Daniel C. Dennett

What are your thoughts on this?

Mickey · **Joined:** Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:04 am **Posts:** 584

I think Letter to a Christian Nation should be required reading for everyone who attends church. It's time Christians started really caring about how they are perceived by non-Christians, and begin to deal with the un-Christian bigotry in the churches.

Hitchens is a little too angry for my taste, but I do enjoy Sam Harris.

Despite the proliferation of atheist books, many people are still willing to take the leap of faith to believe in God, because they never looked for intellectual persuasion in the first place. It's a matter of the heart, not the head.

JFerric · **Joined:** Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:29 am **Posts:** 100

McMouse,
There might be a good reason atheist books are popular these days. Russell Banks new book "Dreaming Up America" provides an articulate view of why this country finds itself in the mess it is in today.
From the book:

Quote:

American objections to and mistrust of international organizations like the League of Nations and the United Nations are connected to the fact that in our minds we already have all the partnership we need through our special relationship with God.

From a review of the book( retreived from: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/3/1752/53972 )

Quote:

Banks opens the work by looking at the beginning of America, at the diverse countries that were racing to claim the land and, more importantly, the three dominant ideas that sprung from the original divergent national cultures that were competing for dominance on the newly discovered (by Europeans, at least) continent. He suggests that there is no single dominant note for "the American Dream," but rather a threefold pitch: the salvational aspect of the Puritan settlers who wanted to found a City on the Hill, the get-rich-easy streak represented by Cortez's and Pizarro's search for the City of Gold, and Ponce De Leon's quest to find the Fountain of Youth.

The review itself is a good read.

Boo · **Joined:** Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:46 pm **Posts:** 154

Roopster wrote:

- The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins;
- Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris;
- God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist, by Victor J. Stenger.
- God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, by Christopher Hitchens;
- Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, by Daniel C. Dennett

What are your thoughts on this?

I think it's good news, because in order to reach the best seller list, that's got to mean a whole lot of Christians and other theists of other faiths are doing some reading and hopefully, some thinking outside the box.

Mickey · **Joined:** Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:04 am **Posts:** 584

SusanG does some great book reviews; I liked this quote from her review:

Quote:

I regard nationalism as a kind of secular religion, a substitute religion, where the state itself and one's identity as a citizen of the state takes on a religious intensity and passion. I suppose there is a lack that's highlighted by that identification. It has behind it the notion that one's identity as an American is some kind of ultimate definition of oneself and, therefore, without it one has no identify of one's own. One's citizenship isn't merely one's group identity, it's one essential identity.

Nationalism can do that to you. It can strip you of your individuality. And in periods of strong, nationalistic fervor in the United States, it has taken on a stubbornly religious quality.

I think this is very true. Many Americans seem to lack identity to such an extent that they will even identify with winning sports teams....and again, support and study those teams with a religious fervor. When the teams win, the fans feel temporarily fulfilled; when they lose, many of the fans go into an actual period of mourning.

The Real Logos · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:56 am

Atheist books are becoming best sellers.

What does that mean?

It means that nothing has changed.

It means people continue to demonstrate their innate and intense interest in God.

Pax!
8-)

JFerric · **Joined:** Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:29 am **Posts:** 100

Update on what passes for news here in Nebraska.

You say your are the "real" Logos, but how can we sure? I just read a jar that said "real mayonnaise," but I'm pretty sure it is isn't either.

Perhaps you should get your "Lake Wobegon" backside down here and testify, as an expert witness, in this case: http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/26278379.html. Sounds like the defendant is avoiding service of process. I wonder if a "default" judgment might be entered? Roopster what is your legal assessment? The voir dire might be entertaining. :shock:

The Real Logos · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:43 pm

.

Just another example demonstrating that innate and intense interest in God.

When people actually STOP talking about God we'll be Atheists.

Not a likely prospect......has never happened and never will.

Pax!
8-)

NBK · **Posted:** Sun Sep 07, 2008 7:47 am

The Real Logos wrote:

.

Just another example demonstrating that innate and intense interest in God.

When people actually STOP talking about God we'll be Atheists.

Not a likely prospect......has never happened and never will.

Pax!
8-)

Don't think there will ever be many atheist. I do think the concept of God is approaching a personalized mindset that will slowly take over the church/temple/Mosque, mentality and hopefully put the clergy on the streets looking for real jobs.

The Real Logos · **Posted:** Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:07 pm

I don't think there's much chance of the Fascimentalist Christians putting their "Anointed Ones" out on the street.

They're too locked into their dysfunction.

Pax!
8-)

Roselyn · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:57 am **Posts:** 1556

Just goes to prove - Where was God before men began talking about him? Once the god talk is silenced, then POOF, He is gone.

I like the atheist insight that Christians refuse to confront in critical thinking. But there is hope on the horizon as more and more writers challenge Christian thought and Jewish fabricated tall tales.

Have you noticed that Christians are making more things up in defense of their imaginary tales? They can now "feel" the spirit instead of hearing it's direction. A matter of the heart they say. But then the scriptures tell of it's deceptive leading.

I'm not to sure that Dawkins is an atheist. I heard him squabble on how and if there might be a god when a guest spot on Bill Mayre last season. He's straddling the fence I think. Maybe he's really an agnostic? whatever.

Hitchens anger is but a well aimed slap to Christians who have tried to hit him and missed. Hitchens is sorta on the snobby side, imo, however, he'll do until another atheist replaces his wit a bit much better. :mrgreen:

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