A really fascinating book. I wouldn't say I'm totally ready to throw my hat in with the atheists, but Hitchens gave me a lot to think about. I suppose maybe at this point in my life, I probably would be considered more of an agnostic or deist, but Hitchens makes the case, fairly convincingly I might add, that even those beliefs are too out there.
He seeks to lay waste to religion, and does a frighteningly good job. I think it would be pretty much impossible to read this book with an open mind and NOT come away questioning religion. I know we're not generally supposed to do this, but an inquisitive life is an informed one and we need to take Hitchens and others like Richard Dawkins seriously. Their case is a good one. Not only is religion wrong, but it's harmful.
Hitchens doesn't spare anyone's faith from his razor sharp wit and well constructed, logical narrative. He lays waste to Judaism and Christianity, basically by arguing that the Talmud and The Bible are completely man made and are not inspired in the slightest. The LDS religion? Forget it. According to Hitchens, it's nothing more than the latest and greatest fiction of a convicted confidence man and fraud artist who fancied himself a Muhammad to a new generation. Islam, a racist plagiarism of Christianity. He doesn't spare Wicca or the Eastern "spiritualism" either.
In the end, his argument is that we would all be better off as a people if we could usher in an age of new enlightenment based on scientific evidence and our own sense of reason. Of course, this would largely mean setting aside the religious framework in which so many of us live our lives, but perhaps Hitchens is right. He certainly makes a stunning and provocative case.
Please don't be afraid to give this book a shot.
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