Reviews (148)

The Beginning of a Needed Dialog
This book is one of the most interesting summaries of the need for a dialog on what religion has brought us.Whether you are a believer or not, this short, concise and well written book will hopefully be a stimulant for assessing what one believes in the face of overwhelming pressure to subscribe to one religion or another.It is a calling for accountability for in how we live our lives, and not to "give it up" as they say to a higher being - as if you were an actor on a stage.This book will also lead you to question whether religion has brought more suffering to the world or less.

Harris tries to be brief, but misses
91 pages and you're done.Sam Harris does his best to get to the point: Christianity is false and everyone should stop believing it right now.
Oh, the irony
God, save me from your followers. And while you're at it save me from their equally intolerant detractors. These people cry out for an end to religion because it is bigoted and intolerant, but they have no problem with their own intolerance or calls for an end to free speech. They would overturn the First Amendment if they had their way. I wonder what would come next, midnight arrests at the homes of believers?
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Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Pop Culture Issues    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Social Issues    5. Christianity - History - Social Issues    6. Christianity and politics    7. Church and state    8. Fundamentalism    9. Religion    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Religion And Politics    12. Religion, Politics & State    13. United States    14. Current Events / General   

Reviews (12)

Important Revelations!
"Tempting Faith" begins with Kuo's early life, his accepting Christianity, and gaining credibility through working for Bill Bennett, Ralph Reed, John Ashcroft, Bob Dole, and Pat Robertson.
Excellent, Balanced
It's hard to imagine, but after all the author went through with this administration, the author still seemed in awe of Pres. Bush.I expected the anger of someone who felt he'd been betrayed, but instead, criticism seemed downplayed and it was simply compelling story of the author's hopes and his realization that he'd taken the wrong route to achieve them.I definitely recommend it.

Who cares ifthey "like" us?

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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Political Issues    2. Christianity and politics    3. Church And Government    4. Church and state    5. Government - Executive Branch    6. Government - National    7. Religion    8. Religion - Christian Life    9. Religion - Socialissues    10. Religion And Politics    11. Religion, Politics & State    12. Religious right    13. United States    14. Religion / Church & State   

Reviews (98)

More Fact, Less Opinion Please
There are many areas of this book where this brilliant scientist documents science correctly and accurately, but unfortunately Dr. Collins also tries to pass off a lot of erroneous opinions as fact.Some specific examples follow. Great Book!!!
I have thouroughly enjoyed this book, although i could not give it past three stars.
Required Reading for Fundamentalists and Atheists
This gentle, well reasoned and insightful book should be required reading for all fundamentalists and atheists.I'm a Christian and since I hit my first biology class at age 13 I've wondered how to explain to all the folks in my denomination that they were wrong about evolution and that denying evolution was really a slap in the face of God, denying one of His most amazing acts because they don't like those nasty evolutionists.To believers he says, "The consequence (of being anti-evolution) can bring ridicule on the church, driving sincere seekers away from God instead of into His arms."On the other hand, those nasty evolutionists ought to read it as well.To them Dr. Collins says, "Keep in mind that the pure water of spiritual truth is carried in those rusty containers called human beings, so there should be no surprise that at times those foundational beliefs can be severely distorted."Yes, both Christians and scientists can be buttheads.Don't let that stand in the way of the truth.Read this book.(Did you hear me, Kansas State Board of Education?) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. General    3. Philosophy    4. Philosophy & Social Aspects    5. Religion    6. Religion & Science    7. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    8. Religion - Socialissues    9. Religion And Science    10. Philosophy of religion    11. Philosophy of science    12. Religion / Philosophy   

Editorial Review

Sam Harris cranks out blunt, hard-hitting chapters to make his case for why faith itself is the most dangerous element of modern life.And if the devil's in the details, then you'll find Satan waiting at the back of the book in the very substantial notes section where Harris saves his more esoteric discussions to avoid sidetracking the urgency of his message. Read more

Reviews (622)

deeply ingrained religious baggage
This is a provocative book - intentionally so - that hits the mark pretty much dead on.Harris argues with patient reason and considerable humor that we, as a nation and a global culture, have suffered terribly as a result of our deeply ingrained religious baggage.He argues persuasively for us to free ourselves of these persistent belief systems in order to rise above the intolerance and ignorance they too often promote.Most readers will be challenged, and many offended, by these arguments, but they will find it difficult to rationally refute them without lapsing into defenses of their preconceived belief systems.I found the book weakest in its stretch to address consciousness, and to contrast mysticism with religion, but these are relatively minor quibbles that detract only somewhat from the broad suite of empirical evidence Harris brings to the table (augmented with over 60 pages of supporting notes).The sooner we turn the corner on the road Harris lays out, the better we will all be in the long run.

Religion versus Spirituality
Harris is doing what so many are trying to do.He has reached a point in his life when the religion of spirituality doesn't make sense, yet his spiritual religion does.Religion is an institutionalized remedy used to control the masses, usually through fear, and that institution has nothing to do with faith.Religion and terror are key words, but Harris misses the most important part of being human, that we have a choice to be religious and therefore subjected to the terror of this institution, or to recognize our spirit as part of the the true "religion", non-denominational, non-secular, and therefore truly faithful. We need this book because it forces the questions and definition of religion versus spirituality.Pair this with "God Winks"and "Forget The Cures, Find The Cause," and we may actually get a spiritual education.

disappointing, says one anti-theist
while I looked forward to reading this I was immediately disappointed to discover that the author is in fact
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Controversial literature    3. General    4. International Relations - General    5. Movements - Rationalism    6. Philosophy    7. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Psychology, Religious    10. Religion    11. Religious aspects    12. Terrorism    13. Current Events / General    14. Miscellaneous Items    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (2)

Check It Out
The Faith Club arose out of the rubble of 9-11, as three young mothers living in New York City - a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew - agreed to meet together to discuss their differing faiths and how they might learn to live together in peace.
a beautiful read
I think in it's own little way this book does what it can to spread some hope and optimism about Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people living together in harmony.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity and other religions    3. Church And Other Religions    4. Comparative Religion    5. Faith    6. General    7. Judaism    8. Relations    9. Religion    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Religion - World Religions    12. Religions    13. Spirituality - Women's    14. Religion / Faith   

Reviews (7)

you shall love your neighbor as yourself
Danforth follows the teachings of Jesus in this moderate and sensible discussion of the extremes theocons go to in following an badly distorted religion that has little to do with NT Christianity.Danforth makes the point much less emphatically than that, always willing to give evangelicals more than the benefit of the doubt. Nevertheless, the gun-totin' execution-advocatin'tax-hatin' theocons bear no resemblance to the Jesus of the bible who advised against using weapons, stopped an execution, and in Lukehas only hard words for the rich and those who pursue wealth.
Where's the Democrat Doing the Same?
In terms of extreme partisanship, Danforth has nailed the problems with the modern Republican Party on the head.The greatest confusion on this issue, however, rests in the assumption that the most vociferous opponents of the Republicans are somehow different.They are fanatical too, and in a profoundly quasi-religious way. Righteousness is now at the core of both party bases.
Politics and Faithyness
In 1909, G.K. Chesterton recognized the danger of Episcopalianism ceasing to be a religion without ceasing to be a church.Mr. Danforth, who publicly dons the mantle of credibility as a former Episcopalian clergyman, seems to be a perfect example of this unfortunate decline.The kernel is gone but he clings to the shell.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity and politics    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    4. Political Process - Political Parties    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Religion And Politics    9. Religion, Politics & State    10. United States    11. Political Science / Political Parties   

Reviews (113)

Informative but casts too wide a net.
Bruce Bawer's book is informative and covers quite a lot of ground in its description of the insidious nature of radical Islam in Europe and how the political elite are more enamoured with political power over a propagandised electorate instead of applying themselves to the defence of freedom. But that is what European style government is all about despite the contemporary terrorism of radical Islam, and is--like democracy--the antithesis of freedom.
While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West
Hardly a more timely subject can be found.Perhaps long overdue, if you want to educate and inform yourself about what is really going on behind the press headlines, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

Thoughtful, but exaggerates Europe's fate
Having lived in Europe for a few years, I can safely say that the extreme liberal PC policies of "Sure! Anyone can live here!" mentality towards immigration have lead to a dangerously large anti-European Muslim population. This will be a large issue for the continent in the current century, but is Europe going to become part of a monstrous Islamic Calliphate? Highly doubtful
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. Europe    4. Islam - General    5. Islamic Government    6. Islamic Studies    7. Islamic fundamentalism    8. Muslims    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    11. Public Opinion And Foreign Policy    12. Public Policy - Social Policy    13. Public opinion    14. Religion    15. Religion, Politics & State    16. Sociology    17. Political Science / Social Policy   

Reviews (68)

WOW!!
This series of books really changed my Life!!I've actually applied what The Masters talk about and it really works!!

Not a weight loss or self help book...
I can see how western civilization readers may have a very difficult time accepting Life and Teachings as nothing more than black magic. It goes very deep. This is not a series of books that you sit down and read like the DaVinci code. Have you ever, as an example, opened up the King James version of the New Testament at your hotel room and tried to actually read it and take any of it in? Its tough. Not a page turner. Kind of boooorrring.No wonder we have sunday church to get us through it all. Life and Teachings has to be read in small bites people. Really. Yes, there is a message of sorts that comes out of it: Your religion is right. So is your neighbors and so is there neighbors. Yet it doesnt focus so much on "religion" as it does on the human potential. Thats where its at. And, thats where this read keeps going. This is not an easy book series to get through. Dont pick it up and expect "an answer" right away. You have to work a bit. Like a textbook rather than a Dan Brown Novel. It's laughable that people who read about "men that move mountains or part waters etc" can't comprehend it in anything other than magic. Life and Teachings is a thinker series. You read a bit. You stop. You think. Pick it up later and read some more. Not entertaining nor was it meant to be, but it strikes a lightning bolt at a few nerve endings you didnt know you had. And, no, you won't have to send any money to a special group or PO Box at the end. They dont have a Web site either. Baird Spalding is quite dead as are all the other scientists that went into thosemountains in the late 1800's that resulted in this book series. Read it. Don't worry. You won't grow hair on your palms and it won't corrupt your 21st century thinking on modern christianity.The message of Life and Teachings is; Put down your swords. Everyone's right about why we "are". Buddah, Jesus, Allah, Mohammmed, everyone of you....YOu all came down the same road from the same hilltop and this is an excellent tutorial on how that could be and examples of the human potential. Its nothing new. No revelations.Millions of years have gone by and its all still the same except on-going arguments.

jesus throwing thunderbolts?!
The first volume was interesting fiction. Hide a city in a mountain?! In later volumes jesus is throwing thunderbolts and killing the 'enemy' is not the jesus of the new testament. Instead buy Aquarian Gospel, Impersonal Life, Door of Everything and on recincarnation/heaven read testimony of light, but skip the introduction and notice the constant unfolding as in the movie ground hog day ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Eastern - General    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Reviews (8)

Is Darwinism bad for the environment?
On one level this is an eloquent plea for an environmental awakening sounding the alarm on the destruction of species diversity. But this clarion call is marred by the introduction of Wilson's Darwinian obsessions. The age of environmental exploitation has also been the age of the reign of the false theoretical constructs of Darwin and his misleading and socially destructive theory of natural selection. The book even includes a hectoring section about the laws of biology, which is bad science and concealed propaganda. Wilson should know better. Biologists fancy themselves the sages of nature, but in fact the reductionist positivism of their methodology constitutes a misunderstanding of nature and reflects the concealed ideology of classical liberalism that is responsible for the indifferent ravaging of natural resources and environments. So behind the fine words Wilson is really a spokesman and ideologist for the problem, not the solution.
A Plea for the Religious & the Secular to Work Together for the Biosphere
Thank you Edward O. Wilson for taking this burden on your shoulders; for making the plea to the religious among us to abandon the Dominionist principle that the Earth is here to be bent to humankind's will and save the biodiversity that makes our lives livable.
One long appeal
When Charles Darwin published "The Origin of Species" he declared it to be "one long argument".Today, less than 150 years later, Edward O. Wilson explains that the one species omitted [except for one sentence] from the "argument" is devastating the life of the planet.In one long appeal to a fictional Baptist pastor, Wilson describes what is clear to all but a few dedicated die-hards - life on this planet is in deep trouble.The die-hards are firmly identified in the opening passages; Christians in the US who regard themselves as "biblical literalists".Such folk expect the Apocalypse soon and saving the environment is of little concern.
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Subjects:  1. Biology    2. Creation    3. Environmental Science    4. General    5. Life Sciences - Evolution    6. Philosophy & Social Aspects    7. Religion & Science    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Christianity    11. Science / Environmental Science    12. Science: General Issues   

Editorial Review

"One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much bullshit," Harry G. Frankfurt writes, in what must surely be the most eyebrow-raising opener in modern philosophical prose. "Everyone knows this. Each of us contributes his share. But we tend to take the situation for granted." This compact little book, as pungent as the phenomenon it explores, attempts to articulate a theory of this contemporary scourge--what it is, what it does, and why there's so much of it. The result is entertaining and enlightening in almost equal measure. It can't be denied; part of the book's charm is the puerile pleasure of reading classic academic discourse punctuated at regular intervals by the word "bullshit." More pertinent is Frankfurt's focus on intentions--the Read more

Reviews (148)

A Tongue -in-Cheek look at a Serious Subject
Horsefeathers, Hogwash, Balderdash do not carry the same weight as the title.Franfurt looks at the the subject and tries to explain what we mean by this term.It is both a serious look at the subject and at the same time it is tongue-in-cheek.Frankfurt explains the words place in our society and it is very funny the entire time without reaching to be funny.We all know what the word means without having it explained and yet, trying to explain it is very hard.Frankfurt explains the place this word has in society and why the other words don't quite measure up.The book is both a philosophical and comedic read.Frankfurt tells the reader this up front without ever explaining it outright.It is both very short and easy to read.One sitting, but it is very profound and that is the mark of a great book.Highly Reccommended.

Telling it Like it is
A tremendously artful (if very short) book, this is a republishing of a paper written in 1986. It not only is about BS, it is BS itself. It not only describes but exemplifies.
Title sells the book ...
The book definitely reads like a college thesis and severely lacks any original or entertaining thoughts.Save your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. Ethics (Specific Aspects)    3. Moral Theology    4. Philosophy    5. Truthfulness and falsehood    6. American Language and Literature    7. Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy    8. Sociology    9. World History/Comparative History   

Subjects:  1. Crusades    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Medieval    6. Middle East - General    7. Military - General    8. History / Medieval   

Editorial Review

When Helen Schucman, a professor of medical psychology at Columbia University, began hearing an inner voice of rapid dictation (which she eventually identified as the voice of Jesus), she decided to start taking shorthand notes. Then, with the support and encouragement of a colleague, Schucman continued to assemble the teachings that came to her. The result is Read more

Reviews (229)

I LOVED THIS BOOK
THIS BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE I AM ABLE TO SEE CLEAR AND KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE PEOPLE HAVE TO JUST BE OPEN MINDED AND LET THE LIGHT IN
a work in progress
I first became familiar with a Course in Miracles in the early 90's by attending classes for it at a Unity Church. Of course, without reading it had no real idea what it was about. Purchased the book soon after, read the text and started the workbook; but, I stopped at about lesson 100 because of a major life change. It was probably just as well because I really don't think I understood it clearly. A year ago I read Gary Renard's book "The Disappearance Of The Universe" which really brought it down to a human level. I started the workbook again (currently on lesson 268) and it has changed my life. My mind is much quieter, much more free of mindless chatter. Don't get me wrong, I still have those crazy days. I highly recommend everyone buying this book and keep it on hand for when you are ready for it.

I hope you all find help
because if you think this is the way to go, you are truly in need of it.First, a careful reading of the Bible mentions false prophets and such (after end point of the Bible) but otherwise says nothing occurs till time for "rapture" and 2nd coming.Unless you want to claim we're in second coming, people who hear from Jesus are either deluded or false prophets.You are free to decide which.On that basis, however, the ideas espoused in the book are either pointless,useless (if delusional), or meant to pull people to the Anti-C if false prophecy.Again, your decision. (Free-will - remember and apply it !!!) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Course in miracles    3. Education    4. New Age movement    5. Religion    6. Spiritual life    7. Spiritualism - Course in Miracles    8. Spirituality - Course in Miracles   

Reviews (149)

Everything Wrong with the Radical Right
This is an excellent book that deeply explores the history and politics of America's oil addiction, and how it is enslaving the U.S. to foreign countries. If you care about American democracy and America's independence, you will read this book.
Pretty good, but....
I agreed with much of this book.thought by the Title it would primarily be about the dangers of religion in politics. However, it seems the author thinks "radical secularism" is almost as bad as fundamentalism. It does paint a bleak picture of the future of America. Another problem was it was a bit boring at some points. Finally, a critique I have of quite a few books I have read recently. Authors, PLEASE stop using endnotes! They are very difficult to look up! Either (perferably) use footnotes (at the bottom of the page) or put notes at the end of each chapter.

A Missed Opportunity
Kevin Phillips picked a worthy set of topics but unfortunately, his diagnosis misses the boat.He tries to suggest that oil dependence, (Christian) religious fundamentalism and what he calls the "financialization" of the American economy hold great peril for the United States.He is right that the nation faces peril, but his preference to engage in feel good populism rather than truly identify policies and attitudes that put the nation at risk weakens his message.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity and politics    2. Conservatism    3. Government - National    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. International Relations - General    6. Petroleum    7. Petroleum industry and trade    8. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    9. Political Science    10. Political aspects    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Religion And Politics    14. United States    15. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (3)

Status Report on the Wilber Project
Ken Wilber started out 30 years ago in "Spectrum of Consciousness" trying to butt-weld Buddhism onto western developmental psychology.Now in "Integral Spirituality" he is trying to imagine what religion would look like if it accepted that the modernist critique of pre-modern religion and the postmodernist critique of modernism (including science) are true.