Reading List

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Re: Reading List
Reply #30 - August 19, 2009, 09:42 PM

Quote from: 20yearstoolong on August 19, 2009, 07:54 AM
Has anyone read the book "In God we doubt"?

No.

Is it good?

As an Agnostic like John Humphrys - I would be interested in a defence of this position
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Re: Reading List
Reply #31 - August 19, 2009, 09:46 PM

Quote
No.

Is it good?

As an Agnostic like John Humphrys - I would be interested in a defence of this position

I was going to buy it today but wanted to read something hard hitting like Niezche. So far God Dellusion has been the best one for the layman.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #32 - August 19, 2009, 09:49 PM

yep read God Delusion - I like John Humphrys and like the description of his book so I think I will be getting it

Throughout the ages believers have been persecuted ? usually for believing in the ?wrong? God. So have non-believers who have denied the existence of God as superstitious rubbish.

Today it is the agnostics who are given a hard time. They are scorned by believers for their failure to find faith and by atheists for being hopelessly wishy-washy and weak-minded. But John Humphrys is proud to count himself among their ranks. In this book he takes us along the spiritual road he himself has travelled. He was brought up a Christian and prayed every day of his life until his growing doubts finally began to overwhelm his faith.

As one of the nation?s most popular and respected broadcasters, he had the rare opportunity in 2006 of challenging leaders of our three main religions to prove to him that God does exist. The Radio Four interviews ? Humphrys In Search of God ? provoked the biggest response to anything he has done in half a century of journalism. The interviews and the massive reaction from listeners had a profound effect on him ? but not in the way he expected.

Doubt is not the easy option. But for the millions who can find no easy answers to the most profound questions it is the only possible one.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #33 - August 19, 2009, 09:52 PM

Yep, John Humphries is great. Mild mannered, yet super sharp & intelligent.

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Re: Reading List
Reply #34 - August 19, 2009, 09:58 PM

Quote from: Hassan on August 19, 2009, 09:49 PM
yep read God Delusion - I like John Humphrys and like the description of his book so I think I will be getting it

Throughout the ages believers have been persecuted ? usually for believing in the ?wrong? God. So have non-believers who have denied the existence of God as superstitious rubbish.

Today it is the agnostics who are given a hard time. They are scorned by believers for their failure to find faith and by atheists for being hopelessly wishy-washy and weak-minded. But John Humphrys is proud to count himself among their ranks. In this book he takes us along the spiritual road he himself has travelled. He was brought up a Christian and prayed every day of his life until his growing doubts finally began to overwhelm his faith.

As one of the nation?s most popular and respected broadcasters, he had the rare opportunity in 2006 of challenging leaders of our three main religions to prove to him that God does exist. The Radio Four interviews ? Humphrys In Search of God ? provoked the biggest response to anything he has done in half a century of journalism. The interviews and the massive reaction from listeners had a profound effect on him ? but not in the way he expected.

Doubt is not the easy option. But for the millions who can find no easy answers to the most profound questions it is the only possible one.

Do you think that has more to do with fear or is it a philosophically sound position?
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Re: Reading List
Reply #35 - August 19, 2009, 10:00 PM

Sound or not it is my gut reaction - my honest response.

I don't know - and I refuse to pretend I do. I'm done with pretending.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #36 - August 19, 2009, 10:02 PM

Quote
Sound or not it is my gut reaction - my honest response.

I don't know - and I refuse to pretend I do. I'm done with pretending.

Hass, I don't mean your position personally but the collective position of agnosticism. I know the poor guys are accused of fence sitting, but I think it's a rather misunderstood position.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #37 - August 19, 2009, 10:11 PM

Yes I do too.

tbh I think it is basically the same as an atheist but with added doubt
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Re: Reading List
Reply #38 - August 19, 2009, 10:14 PM

I think we are all agnostics but some think they are convinced God exists whilst others think they are convinced he doesn't. Truth is how can anyone be sure. Granted Islam is bull but a God could exist.

Take the Pakman challenge and convince me there is a God and Mo was not a murdering, power hungry sex maniac.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #39 - August 20, 2009, 05:36 AM

Quote
I think we are all agnostics but some think they are convinced God exists whilst others think they are convinced he doesn't. Truth is how can anyone be sure. Granted Islam is bull but a God could exist.

I think agnosticism has levels, the way Dawkins describes it in his book. God is an unproven philosophical idea and one must remember that the notion of god is from religion and later became a philosophical proposition. The theistic and abrahamic notions of god can be safely discarded.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #40 - August 26, 2009, 01:52 PM

Just to add - I've just purchased the following two:-

1- The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality - Andre Comte Sponville.

2- Language, Truth and Logic - A.J Ayer.

The girl at the counter looked at the first book and was fairly perplexed. She said "how can you be spiritual without god?" I said "I'll read it and find out". It has been recommended.

[/url]http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Atheist-Spirituality/dp/0143114433/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251293763&sr=8-1[/url]
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Re: Reading List
Reply #41 - August 29, 2009, 11:22 PM

Quote
1- The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality - Andre Comte Sponville.

Just finished reading this. Good book. Shows how one can be spiritual without a belief in God.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #42 - August 30, 2009, 12:20 AM

I was reading the Book Of Fasting (Book 31) from Sahih Bukhari the other day.

.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #43 - August 30, 2009, 09:21 AM

Quote
I was reading the Book Of Fasting (Book 31) from Sahih Bukhari the other day.

Reading "The Great Philosophers" by Stephen Law at the moment. It's great as a starting point about these thinkers. You can then pursue the ideas of the philosophers who's ideas might appeal to you. So far Jeremy Bentham and John Stewart Mill sound good. Their Utilitarianism so far sounds good. The book starts with Buddha and ends with Peter Singer. I'm at Friedrich Nietzsche at the moment so am more than 3/4 of the way through.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #44 - August 31, 2009, 02:12 PM

Quote from: 20yearstoolong on August 30, 2009, 09:21 AM
Reading "The Great Philosophers" by Stephen Law at the moment. It's great as a starting point about these thinkers. You can then pursue the ideas of the philosophers who's ideas might appeal to you. So far Jeremy Bentham and John Stewart Mill sound good. Their Utilitarianism so far sounds good. The book starts with Buddha and ends with Peter Singer. I'm at Friedrich Nietzsche at the moment so am more than 3/4 of the way through.

Finished reading the above. Offers a good overview of some of the thoughts and ideas that philosophers have put forward throughout the ages.

I forgot to add that one of the last books I read before leaving Islam was this:-

"Remembering God: Reflections on Islam"
Charles Le Gai Eaton

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Remembering-God-Charles-Gai-Eaton/dp/0946621845/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251727845&sr=8-2
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Re: Reading List
Reply #45 - August 31, 2009, 04:33 PM

The best anti-Islamic book to read is the Quran in Classical Arabic untainted by translators.

Read it with a neutral perspective and you'll instantly disbelieve in Allah and Muhammad.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #46 - August 31, 2009, 05:56 PM

Quote from: Al Razi on August 31, 2009, 04:33 PM
The best anti-Islamic book to read is the Quran in Classical Arabic untainted by translators.

Read it with a neutral perspective and you'll instantly disbelieve in Allah and Muhammad.

But reading it with a neutral perspective that is an insurmountable hurdle for most Muslims.

I'm still amazed I made it over that hurdle!

Maybe one day millions of ex-Muslims will have a plaque on a wall somewhere with all our names on it! LOL
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Re: Reading List
Reply #47 - August 31, 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote from: Al Razi on August 31, 2009, 04:33 PM
The best anti-Islamic book to read is the Quran in Classical Arabic

Thanks, thats going in my signature if it fits

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Re: Reading List
Reply #48 - August 31, 2009, 06:02 PM

I know reading the Quran from a neutral perspective is a monumental task. But back then I thought to myself "Why am I so afraid....if this is indeed Allah's book....then I will never have any doubts ever again!"

*Many sleepless nights later combined with numerous panic attacks and severe anxiety*

"Oh well....guess I'm an apostate now"
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Re: Reading List
Reply #49 - August 31, 2009, 06:05 PM

Quote from: Al Razi on August 31, 2009, 06:02 PM
I know reading the Quran from a neutral perspective is a monumental task. But back then I thought to myself "Why am I so afraid....if this is indeed Allah's book....then I will never have any doubts ever again!"

*Many sleepless nights later combined with numerous panic attacks and severe anxiety*

"Oh well....guess I'm an apostate now"

You were brave - and so were many of the guys here (it took me a hell of a long time to be brave lol).
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Re: Reading List
Reply #50 - September 04, 2009, 11:46 AM

Guy's

I have just taken delivery of Richard Dawkins new book "The Greatest Show on Earth". I ordered this back in May before it was published. I'm still reading "Language, Truth and Logic" at the moment, so won't get round to this for about a week or so. But I'm looking forward to it.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #51 - September 06, 2009, 04:52 PM

"Language, Truth and Logic" complete. Verdict 7/10.
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Re: Reading List
Reply #52 - September 06, 2009, 04:58 PM

Quote
I have just taken delivery of Richard Dawkins new book "The Greatest Show on Earth".

I hate you so much right now.

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Re: Reading List
Reply #53 - September 06, 2009, 05:01 PM

Quote from: Cheetah on September 06, 2009, 04:58 PM
I hate you so much right now.

.......and guess what? Now that i've finished "Language, Truth and Logic", i'm gonna start reading this!
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Re: Reading List
Reply #54 - September 06, 2009, 05:04 PM

I've heard its brilliant, I have to wait another week for my copy.

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Re: Reading List
Reply #55 - September 06, 2009, 05:06 PM

You can read the first chapter here http://richarddawkins.net/thegreatestshowonearth and other details about the book

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Re: Reading List
Reply #56 - September 06, 2009, 05:11 PM

Quote from: Cheetah on September 06, 2009, 05:04 PM
I've heard its brilliant, I have to wait another week for my copy.

I ordered it back in May. The nice crisp hardback is sat on my shelf as we speak!
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Re: Reading List
Reply #57 - September 06, 2009, 05:17 PM

Anyone know any good books on anthropology

As per cheetahs recommendation, I am planning to get "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond

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Re: Reading List
Reply #58 - September 06, 2009, 05:20 PM

Quote from: a.ghazali on September 06, 2009, 05:06 PM
You can read the first chapter here http://richarddawkins.net/thegreatestshowonearth and other details about the book

Thanks.

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Re: Reading List
Reply #59 - September 06, 2009, 06:57 PM

Quote from: a.ghazali on September 06, 2009, 05:06 PM
You can read the first chapter here http://richarddawkins.net/thegreatestshowonearth and other details about the book

Dawkins has nicked nineberry's avatar half way down that page

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