"The End of Faith" - Sam Harris

[Justin54B20L]

How many of you guys have read this book and what do you think about it?

I'm reading it right now and am only a paltry way into it so far, but everything I have read so far is very revealing and has made me start to think about religious "moderation" in a whole new way.

[fshrink]

1. I'm currently reading

"A treaty on physics and philosophy" by Bernard d'Espagnat, physicist, "pope" of the "veiled reality" idea. "Wool-gathering or How I Ended Analysis" by Dan Gunn. Shakespeare sonnets, here and there. And a few professional books and articles. Will re-evaluate in a few months.

[progressoid]

2. Yes - me too

My indifference toward religion has been waning for quite some time. But reading the beginning of Harris' book helped me realize it. I no longer have a "live and let live" attitude about this.

It's true that there are many innocuous religions and many believers that contribute positively to society, but I think they are being crushed by the more vocal, intollerant and violent ones.

Unfortunately, I was unable to read much before I had to return it to the library (the Bush economy rules out purchasing it for now). I hope to get back to it this summer.

[onager]

3. I read it...

...during a work trip to Egypt and on the plane ride back. I'd like to read it again when I'm more "settled," with more time to think about it.

Took Richard Dawkins' Devil's Chaplain on the same trip. That has the essay he wrote after 9/11 pointing out that fundamentalism is not a symptom, but that religion is the real disease.

Damn, we could use him in GD... :mad: