50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God
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50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God by Guy P Harrison
Many books that challenge religious belief from a skeptical point of view take a combative tone that is almost guaranteed to alienate believers or they present complex philosophical or scientific arguments that fail to reach the average reader. This is undoubtably an ineffective way of encouraging people to develop critical thinking about religion. This unique approach to skepticism presents fifty commonly heard reasons people often give for believing in a God and then raises legitimate questions regarding these reasons, showing in each case that there is much room for doubt. Whether you're a believer, a complete skeptic, or somewhere in between, you'll find this review of traditional and more recent arguments for the existence of God refreshing, approachable, and enlightening. From religion as the foundation of morality to the authority of sacred books, the compelling religious testimony of influential people, near-death experiences, arguments from Intelligent Design, and much more, Harrison respectfully describes each rationale for belief and then politely shows the deficiencies that any good skeptic would point out. As a journalist who has traveled widely and interviewed many highly accomplished people, quite a number of whom are believers, the author appreciates the variety of belief and the ways in which people seek to make religion compatible with scientific thought. Nonetheless, he shows that, despite the prevalence of belief in God or religious belief in intelligent people, in the end there are no unassailable reasons for believing in a God. For skeptics looking for appealing ways to approach their believing friends or believers who are not afraid to consider a skeptical challenge, this book makes for very stimulating reading.
"Harrison has hit the right mixOne can almost imagine that he is smiling as he writes - not a sardonic smile but a real, life-affirming, comfortable-with-who-I-am smile. His joyful embrace of the natural world and humanity in all its triumphs along with low points and his admission that he does not understand everything he encounters makes this author's atheism a very happy state of being." -Free Inquiry, Vol. 29, No. 1, December 2008/ January 2009 "In this thought-provoking book, Harrison makes a powerful case against religion without the need for name-calling, contempt or condescension." --The Herald, Glasgow, Scotland, Ron Ferguson opinion article, October 27, 2008
Harrison is the author of Believe: Why You Should Question Everything, 50 Easy Questions for Every Christian, 50 Common Beliefs That People Think Are True, 50 Reasons People Offer for Believing in a God, and Race and Reality: What Everyone Should Know about Our Biological Diversity, among other books.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781591025672 |
| ISBN 10 | 1591025672 |
| Title | 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God |
| Author | Guy P Harrison |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Prometheus Books |
| Year published | 2008-04-30 |
| Number of pages | 354 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |