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The Happy Atheist (2013)

by P.Z. Myers(Favorite Author)

3.69 of 5 Votes: 6

ISBN

0307379345 (ISBN13: 9780307379344)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Pantheon

review 1: I am a graduate of both a Bible College ("advanced Sunday School") and a liberal, multi-denominational ("highly dysfunctional") seminary. In the late 1990s I came out as an atheist, after years of attempting to reconcile religious belief with scientific knowledge; Simply put, I discovered it cannot be done. This is the book I wish I had had access to 20 or 30 years ago. Had it been available then, I would have taken a different direction in my education.This collection of essays, based on previously posted blogs, is a breath of fresh air in growing field of New Atheism. It's a wonderful starting point for those interested in the basic ideas of this movement. The contributions are blunt and to-the-point, jargon free, and boldly setting out Myers's primary argument that s... morecience/knowledge/evidence trumps religion/superstition/faith.The opening essays are episodic, focusing on his interactions (largely conducted through correspondence) with those who disagree with his position on various contemporary issues that are at odds with religious thinking. Some of them are quite humorous, especially Myers's ruminating on why religion is like porn. The second half of the book presents a more substantial consideration of Myers's overarching thesis. He demonstrates--in my view--quite convincingly, that religious thinking is wrong and dangerous, and bluntly asserts that science is incompatible with religion. The ideas Myers sets forth are challenging and unsettling, but this is his point. Once one realizes how archaic and primitive and--dare I say--infantile religious beliefs are, one is forced to think differently about how religion works in the world, and how it prevents us from realizing our full human potential to shape a world that provides a happy, safe and prosperous place for all, now and for future generations. Myers does not discuss directly the role religion plays in obtaining and maintaining power. There are hints, however. This is an area of study I would like to explore more.
review 2: This took me longer to read than anticipated. I enjoyed this book. It made me laugh and nod my head in agreement for the most part. Sometimes I felt it was a bit extreme but towards the end I appreciated the topics and the commentary. I agree with the author that atheists get a bad rap. Some "Christians" are so quick to shoot you a nasty comment or tell you that you are a devil-worshiper (true story, happened to me in middle school) when they find out you don't believe what they do. All in all, a good, short book. less

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