Letter To A Christian Nation

9 Responses for "Letter To A Christian Nation"

1. Chris December 6th, 2007 at 3:28 pm

   I was going to recommend this to you amidst a long dissertation I’m currently writing with regard to your “Theory of Atheism”. That being, I’m glad it already made its way to you.

   I would also recommend The God Delusion by evolutionary biologist and vocal opponent of religion Richard Dawkins, as well as Breaking the Spell by philosopher and atheist Daniel Dennet.

   I must confess that I haven’t read any of these three books myself. However, I’m quite familiar with Dawkins’ work in general and have read Dennet’s Darwin’s Dangerious Idea which, in rebuttal against creationism, goes into his criticism of religion. Sam Harris’s books–they aren’t novels, and originated as printed texts that you can still easily find at Barnes and Noble (or what have you)–usually come recomended with both Dawkin’s and Dennet’s books.

   While Dawkins and Dennet are friends and academic collegues, however, I don’t know what their relationship is with Harris. Still, while not nearly as concise as A Letter to a Christian Nation, I think you would thoroughly enjoy reading their work. Dawkins is scientific (though accesible), witty, and (at times) passionately ferocious in asserting his beliefs and arguments therefore. Dennet is philosophical, draws on science, and can also be quite witty at times. Moreover, he uses creative “thought experiments” similar to kind exemplified in “The Clock of Life”, so you would no doubt enjoy him for that quality as well.

   In addition, I’d like to photocopy for you some of Dawkin’s essays on science and religion from the compilation A Devil’s Chaplain, as they’d make an excellent introduction to a mind with which would do you well to become acquainted. Furthermore, while I haven’t read The God Delusion, I do own a copy if you’d like to borrow it.

   In short, though, I’m glad you’re beginning to look into reputable contemporary intellectuals whom share your general beliefs. The reason my response to your Theory of Atheism is so long is that, while I don’t disagree with your beliefs in general, the details of your beliefs are problematic. So, rather than merely knock your essay down needlessly, or blow off a bright and congenial mind altogether, I’ve been attempting to flesh out your understanding by describing the problems in a way that constructively fortifies your belief system. But reading books by thinkers such as Harris, Dawkins, Dennet and others will take you much further than I can. So, please, do read them. By educating yourself in this way, you have nothing to lose but ignorance.

   <3
   Chris

2. ashley December 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am

   i love jesus.

3. linzi December 30th, 2007 at 12:26 pm

   i basically gave this to you!

4. Danielle January 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

   I’m definately gonna read/listen to this book. I noticed that (where I got the torrent) the first line in the summary was about Christians expecting Christ to come back and the “rapture” stuff. Already I am disappointed because that is assuming that that is what all Christians believe (even though the idea didn’t arise until the 18th century that the people were still waiting). Either way, I always love to read controversy, even if I think I’ll disagree- It’s very important to have an open mind and learn about WHY people disagree.

5. Danielle January 9th, 2008 at 1:33 am

   Well, it was interesting to say the least. Will listen to it a couple more times to fully grasp it. Wasn’t very convincing though, but some points I definately agreed with. Just a lot of opinion, not very much fact, and some things he said were just plain wrong and misinformed. But that’s why I’m gonna listen again, maybe I heard something wrong or didn’t hear something. Thanks for the recommendation though, it’s fun to listen to, although frustrating at times. Hahaha.

6. corylulu January 9th, 2008 at 2:32 am

   Okay, well first off, all the matters in which he addressed were all controversial so really you cant prove to much. The ideology that people believe that the holy bible was the word of god, but then think to themselves that they have the right to cherry pick which passages are and are not true just oxymoronic. In order to believe that the bible was written by god, then you cant say that he just was kidding about certain areas in which he addresses. I think the very fact that it contradicts itself so often should be proof that it is not the word of god and merely a structure of similar beliefs written as stories to portray a given idea. The idea of prayer is just illogical if you believe that god gave you free will. For you to pray for something like for someone not to kill you or for someone to give you something for Christmas or anything for that matter, you are saying that god has the power to chose for people what decisions they make. So to think they prayer works you must believe that god does not give us complete free will. But either way, please point out what facts that you believe to be wrong, because I’m sure he didn’t, as a renown scholar, make it up.

7. Danielle March 12th, 2008 at 12:31 pm

   I agree, you either have to accept the full Bible or you can’t call yourself a Christian. I don’t see the “contradictions” people speak of. And I love how you brought up the “free will” thing because I’ve always had a problem with that as well. I believe in Predestination, that is we do not have free will and God has predestined every single thing. People like to believe that they have free will because they think it would be unfair of God to do that, but who are we to judge what is fair if we wouldn’t be here in the first place without Him? There are many versus in the Bible that support this view, as well as Preterism (we don’t believe the whole “Rapture” sci-fi view). A lot of modern Christianity is completely misunderstood but if you stick to what the Bible says and not your Pastors you can’t go wrong!

   When I saw an article about this I thought you might be interested because you like controversy. I haven’t read it and I don’t know what to think but I’m interested. Check out http://www.galileowaswrong.com

8. corylulu March 12th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

   The contradictions that I speak of are thing like the 7 day creation (in the idea that god created the cosmos in 6 days with no reference to sun or planet revolving around it. Although most theist will argue that the days were arbitrary and that days for god are different than days by men. But in that case, why would God need time at all to make it, he already knows what he’s gonna make and its not like God has to think because he already knows the answer), Also there is the omniscient, omnipotence god which is a paradox in itself (”Can omniscient God, who knows the future, find the Omnipotence to change His future mind?” Karen Owens), along with several other things that are cleverly masked by Creationist or given a paradoxical explanation that in the gist of things doesn’t make sense with there other numerous claims.

9. Kevin March 13th, 2008 at 6:27 am

   Go Cory Go. There are also 2 creation stories by the way. And with the new testament look at the two lineages of Jesus’ supposed heritage and they are different.