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| The God Delusion | 
 enlarge | Author: Richard Dawkins
Publisher: Bantam Press
Category: Book
List Price: £20.00
Buy Used: £6.98
You Save: £13.02 (65%)
New (4) from £13.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  765 reviews
Sales Rank: 9577
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.6
ISBN: 0593055489
EAN: 9780593055489
ASIN: 0593055489
Publication Date: October 2, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Surprisingly interesting November 1, 2008
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
I bought this book a while back out of curiosity, but have put off reading it until due to fears of it being merely a rant against religion or just loads of use of Argument from Outrage. I am glad I have finally read it, however, as I found it to be surprisingly well-written, well-reasoned, informative and interesting.
I am an athiest and have been both a Christian and atheist at different periods in my life (obviosly not at the same time!). I would call myself a reluctant atheist, because I would love nothing more for there to be a God and Christianity to be true (or any religion really), but I just don't see enough evidence in favour of God's existence.
As for Dawkins's book, for me I found Chapters 4, 5 and 6 to be the most interesting, delving into evolution. Darwinism certainly explains a lot things, not just how an animal acts, but also why. I had studied human evolution in archaeology in my first year at university and so I enjoyed Dawkins's obvious expertise in evolutionary biology. When I was a Christian I saw no reason why evolution and religion should be considered incompatible. I still don't think the two are incompatible, unless you are a creationist or literalist.
Some bits of the book I didn't enjoy, hence only 4 stars. Chapter 7 is mainly merely Argument from Outrage, listing bits of scripture showing how horrible the Old Testament is. As for the section on Hitler, he certainly was not a Christian, of any denomination, although his belief in some sort of providence, I believe, does not make him an out-and-out atheist. Chapters 8 and 9 also use Argument from Outrage, which worked for me, as I found myself agreeing with a lot of what Dawkins said - fundamentalism and creationism should be opposed, and children protected from the dark side of religion - such as the threat of hell and visits to those ridiculous Hell Houses run by Pastor Keenan Roberts - truly awful and shocking. On page 300 I found myself disagreeing though. Dawkins writes, concerning a possible New Ten Commandments, that one should not "discriminate or oppress on the basis of sex, race or (as far as possible) species". To that I would add religion and creed as theists deserve as much respect, as fellow human beings, as anyone else.
On the whole though an enjoyable and recommended book.
 Inspiring, delicately constructed and brilliant funny October 30, 2008
6 out of 9 found this review helpful
It was suggested to me that I read this book by a friend who had developed a sincere interest in analysing religion and the world around him in a matter-of-fact, understandable and logical way and this book certainly does that.
I would say it's the most provocative book I've read recently and it certainly encourages further discussion about very important points. One only needs to see the amount of internet activity generated by readers of this book arguing their views back and forth on hundreds of sites to realise that.
I find myself referring back to it alot when talking to friends about the arguments it contains. Almost every pro-religious counter-argument is dealt with eruditely and succinctly by Dawkins in his normal annihilating way.
I approached the book as an agnostic leaning on atheism but not-really-that-sure and finished the book much the same way but certainly someone more enlightened and more interested in the world around me.
I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in seeing things through a perhaps different perspective and is not afraid of the ways that other people see the world. Dawkins' view may be one-sided but in his defense, I am certain there are very few religious texts that give as much as a nod to the possibility of atheism. Those who are religious may find it insulting in places so you might have to have your "shields up" for some chapters.. however I think the view Dawkins gives is a very interesting way to see the world and how it works, which is worth at least giving some thought to.
 Self Absorbed Tripe October 29, 2008
6 out of 26 found this review helpful
As a confirmed atheist I think Dawkins made one point I hadn't considered previously in the entire first 4 chapters.
It was just a pathetic rant against people he has argued with over the years. I found myself asking "So what?" after every sentence until I was just skimming over page after page of nonsense.
I just couldn't go on, I couldn't imagine this shaking anybody's faith.
A glimmer of reason October 28, 2008
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
I found this book to be an brilliant glimmer of reason in a world often fraught with typical human idiocies.
no real substance to this book October 26, 2008
5 out of 21 found this review helpful
So Ok ! You've read one view, but what have you read it against.. ?
I would recommend God's Truth, written by another scientist.
Easy to read and will give thought to Richard Dawkins view.
In fact I challenge Richard himself to read it.
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