Interesting Book Review

Discussion in 'Religion & Philosophy' started by xwsmithx, Nov 22, 2018.

  1. xwsmithx

    xwsmithx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Messages:
    3,964
    Likes Received:
    1,743
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Peter Hitchens, former atheist and now Christian and brother of the more famous Christopher, reviews a book by an atheist about atheists and atheism, and generally gives it high marks.

    Seven Types of Atheism by John Gray (unrelated to the John Gray of Men Are From Mars, apparently)

    "This is a justifiably testy book, by an atheist about atheists."

    "From this approach springs Gray’s opening paradox that “contemporary atheism is a flight from a godless world.” Unlike so many modern scoffers at religion, he grasps that while the idea of a just God is terrifying, so is the suspicion or the conviction that there is no just God. The idea of a universe where there is no power that stands for order and justice is, or ought to be, very frightening. So men who can no longer believe in God have instead invented various more or less fatuous concepts to provide such a power, especially a belief in human progress."

    "“Without a law giver, what can a universal moral law mean?” he asks. “If you think of morality as part of the natural behaviour of the human animal, you find that humans do not live according to a single moral code. Unless you think one of them has been mandated by God, you must accept the variety of moralities as part of what it means to be human.” Well, exactly. No God: no law. No law: no morals, just situational, alterable ethics. I am amazed that so few seem to realize the implications of atheism for the rule of law over power, the one thing that really sustains human civilization."

    "This brief, dry, droll book contains many enjoyable mockeries of various earnest and ridiculous (and failed) attempts to create substitutes for religion, from Auguste Comte to Ayn Rand..."

    "Gray gleefully drives a bulldozer through and across what are really already the ruins of historical inevitability, the belief in progress, and the other Marxist and pseudo-Marxist rubbish that clutters the minds of the conventionally wise. Not that this makes any difference. The conventionally wise are immune to such assaults, as they know they are right and that those who challenge them are crazed heretics."

    "Gray summarizes Spinoza in a way that seems designed to rebuke the noisy and angry “New Atheists” (whom he dismisses in a few short, scornful pages)."

    "Well, this sort of thing is what slim volumes are for, an agreeable display of cleverness and deep knowledge lightly worn, ending with a gust of superior laughter at the silliness of mankind."

    https://home.isi.org/john-gray-spinoza-today
     
    DennisTate likes this.
  2. DennisTate

    DennisTate Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2012
    Messages:
    31,489
    Likes Received:
    2,601
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    You may find it somewhat encouraging to know that Ms. Beverly Brodsky had all of her challenging questions answered to her satisfaction.




    https://www.near-death.com/religion/judaism/beverly-brodsky.html
     
  3. Spooky

    Spooky Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2013
    Messages:
    31,814
    Likes Received:
    13,377
    Trophy Points:
    113
    As a Christian I have no problem with atheists as long as they present their arguments respectfully.

    Since I cannot prove my belief, nor they theirs, I can't scientifically discount them.
     
  4. AlifQadr

    AlifQadr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    3,077
    Likes Received:
    899
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    The following is from a MAN whom I call Dr. Elam, though he is not a Dr:
     
  5. xwsmithx

    xwsmithx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Messages:
    3,964
    Likes Received:
    1,743
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    TL; DL. But what I did hear, he's wrong about. Women are prosecuted at least once a month in this country for rape of an underaged boy. Women have been sued for sexual harassment. Martina Navratilova was sued for "divorce" by an aggrieved female lover who charged her with domestic violence, and won, even though they weren't married under US law at the time. A woman was charged with rape just a month or two ago when she held a machete to her ex-boyfriend's neck and forced him to have sex with her. Sexual aggressiveness and violence by women are rare but not unheard of, and they don't go completely unpunished. Is the system too weighted in favor of women? Yes. Does that mean it can't be changed? No.

    What does this have to do with the OP, though? Just another book review you thought was interesting?
     

Share This Page