I completed reading this book a few days earlier. The book is mainly addressed to the Americans, majority of who are Christians. Sam makes a case for viewing the tenets of religions specifically Islam & Christianity from the modern and scientific findings and practices. When viewed from this area the untenability of the revealed religions becomes clear. Sam has quoted a number of crucial sayings from both bible as well as Koran the two gods given books.Today’s violence in sphere of inter and intra community dealings as well the widespread terrorist actions are motivated thru religious beliefs. His is an incisive criticism of all given religious faiths including that of Hinduism. However he leaves a wide berth to Buddhism though the happenings in
Sam cites chapter and verse from the texts and contrasts them with practices adopted by the concerned religious communities. Though all the religious leaders claim to be peaceful, they resort to prevarication when their texts are cited against such claims. The fact that a large part of the activists claims authority from their scriptures for the violence perpetrated by them. Their claim to be superior to others is authenticated from sacred texts. That itself is the source of conflict in the world, as could seen from happenings across nations i.e.
I have already in the know of the critical views of atheists from writings published by the Indian Atheist Association. The late Joseph Idamarugu has written extensively on the historical context and development of Christianity from the first year AD onwards. He questioned the historicity of the life Jesus and Virgin Mary. He said that the story is a deliberate concoction on the part of the messiahs and followers. Similarly, Idamarugu has published very critical views on Koran as well as Gita, Vedic texts, etc. Thus, I feel more familiar with the topic dealt in Sam’s book. But Sam is scientific in his presentation than Idamarugu. Yes, Sam’s audience is different.
I would venture to say that the title would more appropriate if changed to End Results of Faith. In fact Sam sees a conflict ridden world heading to destroy itself thru assertions of various conflicting faiths warring to attain superiority thru power both political and armaments i.e. weapons of mass destruction. I expect more and more of this kind of writings from authorities on the subject with unassailable facts and reasoning since, humankind is the same everywhere. We need to be optimistic about the future
END OF FAITH BY SAM HARRIS. 5.4.200
I completed reading this book a few days earlier. The book is mainly addressed to the Americans, majority of who are Christians. Sam makes a case for viewing the tenets of religions specifically Islam & Christianity from the modern and scientific findings and practices. When viewed from this area the untenability of the revealed religions becomes clear. Sam has quoted a number of crucial sayings from both bible as well as Koran the two gods given books.Today’s violence in sphere of inter and intra community dealings as well the widespread terrorist actions are motivated thru religious beliefs. His is an incisive criticism of all given religious faiths including that of Hinduism. However he leaves a wide berth to Buddhism though the happenings in
Sam cites chapter and verse from the texts and contrasts them with practices adopted by the concerned religious communities. Though all the religious leaders claim to be peaceful, they resort to prevarication when their texts are cited against such claims. The fact that a large part of the activists claims authority from their scriptures for the violence perpetrated by them. Their claim to be superior to others is authenticated from sacred texts. That itself is the source of conflict in the world, as could seen from happenings across nations i.e.
I have already in the know of the critical views of atheists from writings published by the Indian Atheist Association. The late Joseph Idamarugu has written extensively on the historical context and development of Christianity from the first year AD onwards. He questioned the historicity of the life Jesus and Virgin Mary. He said that the story is a deliberate concoction on the part of the messiahs and followers. Similarly, Idamarugu has published very critical views on Koran as well as Gita, Vedic texts, etc. Thus, I feel more familiar with the topic dealt in Sam’s book. But Sam is scientific in his presentation than Idamarugu. Yes, Sam’s audience is different.
I would venture to say that the title would more appropriate if changed to End Results of Faith. In fact Sam sees a conflict ridden world heading to destroy itself thru assertions of various conflicting faiths warring to attain superiority thru power both political and armaments i.e. weapons of mass destruction. I expect more and more of this kind of writings from authorities on the subject with unassailable facts and reasoning since, humankind is the same everywhere. We need to be optimistic about the future
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