Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Finished (Audiobook) - "God is not Great - How Religion Poisons Everything" - Christopher Hitchen

"Enjoy" is not really the word Hitchen's book "God is not Great - How Religion Poisons Everything" evokes.

I do believe that all strong believers in religion should read or listen to this book, because his criticisms are very strong, and very well researched.  I don't think he makes a case against "faith", though he may believe he has done so, and he speaks against faith.  However, his strongest arguments are against dogmatic religion, and point out severe problems with dogmatic thinking, particularly with respect to enforced dogma on others.

Since his thesis is a pro-atheistic one, or more aptly an anti-religion one, the examples are religion-based, and he plays no favourites (Judaism, Christianity and Islam all take the heat).  However, his examples could be exchanged for other dogmatic belief systems (totalitarian regimes of all kinds), without losing any steam.

It would be difficult for any person of strong religious belief to read Hitchen's book, but it is probably worth the pain, even if it is to understand "the other side".  I made a distinction between "faith" and "religion" purposefully, as I don't think it is really possible to attack, or even criticize "faith" per se, as it is internal and personal.  Religion is the outward expression of faith, even more so if it is following a tract common to others (e.g. organized, or identified religion).

Hitchens does acknowledge that there is a distinction between personal actions and those driven by following a doctrine, so there would probably be little argument from him that it is possible, even in the most dogmatic religion, for individuals to act in universally admired ways.  However, he is very clear when he perceives acts he deems inappropriate being done to those who either are too young to have a say (such as circumcision or even baptism to infants), or against the will of those at or beyond the age of reason (edicts of death for changing religion, wars over icons) which he deems to have been driven by religious doctrine.

As a contrast, Richard Dawkins, who also is becoming an "atheist preacher", comes across as much more offended when religion comes into contact with science and education.  Hitchens seems a whole notch more driven to demonize the entire practice of religion as an unnecessary evil.

Again, the book is harsh, but those of faith, and those with strong religious beliefs, should be aware of the arguments, and learn from them - there have been events in all religions' histories that even believers wish had gone otherwise.

With changes to media, and the growing movement of the U.S. to the religious right, it is worth reading criticisms of religion with an open mind, even to help understand why the founders of the U.S. wanted separation of church and state.  Imagine the critical reviews of actions of religion X (even if you discount the critical reviews of your favoured religion) being enacted by the state, and you, with your equally strong beliefs being marginalized/vilified/criminalized/tortured/killed and you get some idea of why separation is a good thing, even if your views would happen to place you on the "power" side of the arrangement in your particular area.

1 comment:

  1. You may not agree with his concept, but it does bear discussion as to why the world and the nation are facing the challenges they are today, so many in the name of religion.

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