Also God reveals how we can have a 1 on 1 relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Salvation. Contact me if you ever want to know how to have a full relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God is AMAZING!!!!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD - I feel bad for you, because someone with 27 years of reading the Bible never trully understood it. See, God let's us think on our own about somethings ( That's how loving he is) and then other things he let's us in on. People like you think to much about the Old Testament and everything that happened.. It is 100% accurate, but the meaning behind the Bible is to show Gods love and existance.
Hey vlogofthemathguy, I've read all the books you have and 25or30 to boot. All great books. I also would say Carl Sagans Demon Haunted world is the best. Along with the cosmos tv series. One more I might add;The Final Superstition By Joseph Daleiden It's at amazon.com. Good luck on your journey.
Ironic that you chose "God is not Great" considering how often Hitchens confuses actual religious customs, esp. the relationship jews and gentiles shared during that period. Dawkins' original printing actually mistook a prank website on proofs for God as an actual Christian one - he edited it out of course.
I am a fan of Shermer and Sagan though. I think when people hear "religion is wrong" they think you're implying something "moral" as opposed to empirical. Clearly shows their ignorance.
The only truth in this dark sinful world is that there is a God who became flesh, took our sins upon his back, was hung on a cross until dead and then on the 3rd day arose from the grave. He bore our sins and took our punishment. For all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.
Atheism is a pretty simple concept, what could you possibly want to know that you`d spend so much time reading up on it? That`s unless you just want books to pat you on the back and make you feel smart, ie. mental masturbation.
When you said that there was one book that really nailed down why critical thinking was important, I immediately thought of The Demon-Haunted World. I'm glad to see it affected others in much the same way it did myself.
Add to that list The Portable Atheist, by Christopher Hitchens. It's a great collection of writings by many atheists over the years, including excerpts from many of the books in your reading list.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
also if you find reading books so interesting why don't you read up on the Bible or maybe do some research on the other side. Fuckin close-minded faggot. I believed in "science" until I found out how dumb it is. "tell a lie long enough and people will believe it". At least I wasn't stupid enough to keep believing in bullshit. But on a serious note, look up and research the people you are going against. You'll find out a lot.
Who the fuck are you to tell people religion is right? "close-minded faggot" is clearly a statement formulated by an open mind. This guy is an american and can tell people whatever he wants about religion, fascist fucking nazi. it takes some balls to defend the history of the bible by saying that science is a pack of lies.
science is not the accumulation of knowledge, it is a method of asking questions. it is organized inquiry. what is it about religion that makes you think it is above criticism? what is it about you that makes you so opposed to asking questions and coming to your own conclusions? is it that thinking gives you a headache? the first amendment grants freedom from, not just of, religion. you might have made a very good german subject, but you make a very poor american citizen.
If you had bothered to listen to me you would know that I was a devout Christian for 27 years. I know the Bible very intimately. I've done my research. Have you?
Let me ask you Vlog... Jesus Christ, real or imaginary? My point is, that a lot hinges on this...I'm speaking historically did Jesus Christ actually in fact exist or is this whole thing made up? Facts and reality are things that need to be addressed..I think an intellectually honest person will allow the facts to dictate decisions..Faith as you should know is not fantasy but is and should always be based on facts..It is interesting how many equate faith with falsehood..not in my book!
That's an interesting question, but it doesn't go to the heart of the matter. Even if you proved Jesus' historicity (which is going to be far from easy), you would still have all your work ahead of you proving his divinity. On what facts do you base your faith?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Concerning Jesus' divinity, the book of Romans an uncontested Pauline epistle written in approx 55 AD shows the idea of Jesus' divinity was circulating. Other non bible sources such as Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and more asserted that Jesus was God. Faith is an intelligent trust in what can't be seen that's inferred from evidence that can be seen-I may not be able to show you Jesus Christ..but that doesn't prove that he never existed..I think the facts (evidence) show otherwise
onemomentspeace. please read Lee Strobel's "The Case For Christ"
There are many citations with factual backing to support the existence of Jesus of Nazareth and his Divinity.
There is even supporting evidence from the very religion that most denies Jesus's divinity, the Jewish faith.
Keep in mind Lee Strobel was an Atheist before interviewing experts with doctorates from Cambridge, Princeton, Brandeis, and many other schools and are recognized authorities in their own fields.
Just because you claimed you were a Christian for 27 years doesn't mean you really were one (obviously). The fact you are here spouting anti-Christian rhetoric just proves you were really never saved at all.
"you would know that I was a devout Christian for 27 year"
Were you really? What does that mean exactly ( that you were "devout"). How do Uknow you were a christian? U cite a rather impressive listing of modern 'anti-christian books;as a (former) professed devout christian could you provide a similar bibliography of books you researched as a christian which influenced you & which helped to shape your devout views. How is it that U appear to accept arguments w/no regard to christian experience?
Nice, calling someone a close-minded faggot. Why don't you look up the word "bigot" and see the illustration to the side--your face. I grew up in the deep south next to redneck nazis like yourself. Why don't you go vote for McCain, call some kids "liberals", throw spitballs in the back of a classroom while farting, and fuck off.
WOW YOU FUCKIN LOSERS DAMN LOL. Get a fuckin life really, Yea I called someone a close minded faggot because thats what you are lol, too stupid to take a hit? Fuckin retards ive believed in evolution, I keep an open mind, you guys are fuckin stupid lol I really wonder how do losers like you guys look in real life. Anyways quit your bitching, all I'm saying is I don't want to hear about your evolution bullshit in my schools. "someone of us care about the truth" what truth? lol big bang? right.
Go suck a redneck dick. Go ride "yer four wheeler." Go mud doggin. Go watch some Blue Collar TV. Keep damning people to hell and feeling better about yourself because you show up in church on Sundays. Go swallow some republican fear-mongering. Put your finger back in your asshole. Go "drink yer budweiser". Go fuck yourself.
@xcrazykimcheex Science doesn't require you to believe in it to be true your close-minded faggot. what requires "belief" is stupid fairy tales you "believe" in. so keep your crazy illusions to yourself
@xcrazykimcheex Science doesn't require you to believe in it to be true, you close-minded faggot. what requires "belief" is stupid fairy tales you "believe" in. so keep your crazy illusions to yourself
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
religion is wrong? wtf you fuckin moron. Who the fuck are u to tell other people religion is wrong. Someone needs to shoot this dumb fuck. You are talkin out of ur fucking ass "skeptics, blah blah" You are an idiot sir. I have many friends and acquaintances that believe in different religions and there is nothing wrong with that. You sir need to shut the fuck up and mind your own buisness. At least you dont have to hear the everyday bullshit in schools preaching evolution.
@xcrazykimcheex I think your comment is exactly the reason why we atheists look down on religion. We dont look down on people who have faith in some religion or other. It is religion itself, its beliefs and it's god or gods.
Religion is devisive, stops independent thinking, is fraudulent and can be dangerous. One should question everything, including religion and not blindly follow any dogma.
What do you mean when you say religion that religion is wrong? Which religion? Do you mean that there is no god whatsoever, that all religions are false, or something else? Sorry, but I don't really understand what you meant by that. Thanks.
I'm speaking of religion in general. One of the defining attributes of what makes something a "religion" is belief in the supernatural, which I am convinced does not exist. So yes, I'm saying all religions are false.
I'm a skeptic, not a creationist. That said: Religions aren't "false" -- they are faith based, not logic or reasoning based. Many extremists (often residing in the solid south) like to push the notion that religion has logical refute to science when it doesn't. Religion investigates the supernatural and science investigates the natural domain. Evolution argues creation of mankind, not creation of existence and it can't. Religion takes a "leap of faith" approach to "answering" these questions
Religion attacks science, science doesn't every attack religion. Some skeptics however, do. You are arguing against "god", an arbitrary word of semantic drift that essentially implies "unknown." Your refute against religion holds no water because you are suggesting that the unknown doesn't exist. I'm troubled by radical religion, but I cannot deny the right for one to make a leap of faith, as some 40 percent of contemporary scientists do without mention to their private philosophical affairs
I don't believe in the supernatural and have competent understanding of probabilities, but I can offer no evidence of what initiated fundamental mathematical/physical law in the fraction of a second initiation the big bang. This neither proves religion correct nor does it answer "why" space-time existed at a point of singularity. I'm afraid you're not urging folks to be skeptics so much as coming across as an atheist preacher, preaching to the choir and not to your radical counterparts.
Therefore, you are doing virtually no more good in encouraging folks to think for themselves than would a schizophrenic priest. Consider pragmatism in your approach to spreading the skeptic method more so than how you are deliberately attacking people's religious freedoms. Let them decide for themselves by suggesting books on skepticism before suggesting books on atheism, lest you should not affect anyone with radical opposition. Don't fuel the fire by equating skepticism with atheism.
Hey. I was just about to write: where is Carl Sagan!! Then you held up the demon haunted world. At that point a screamed, "Fuck yeah!". I used to be a musician, but I'm now finishing my degree in Psychology. I'm then going to get a masters in Neurology, and eventually a PH.D. Carl was the one that made me understand what science was all about. And as I look at the world the 'candle flame is dimming' and the 'demons are still stirring'. Also, Carl and I shared in the pleasures of Pot smoking :).
I read Carl Sagan's book and many of his others..they're all worthy books. Good for critical thinking, witch I'm afraid is lacking overall in society and we should have courses on it in highschools.
yeah, well you can beleive in anything if you really want to... But beleiving realy strongly in atheism does not make does not it true; if you are a scientist with strong anti-God views i am not interested to to you, because you no more or less closeminded as a hard catholic (or protestat ;)) that things indulgence will earn an entry into heaven.
I'm an agnostic and I understand that the truth and what people believe in can be very different. That's why I'm much more concerned about the METHODS people use to arrive at their conclusion. Our understanding of the particular facts could change tomorrow. We might find alien life. We might discover quantum physics is ultimately wrong. We may find a god or gods. But there's a delicate balance between open-mindedness and skepticism that needs to be maintained if we want to make any progress.
And what I've found from re-examining my own religion is that the reasons Christians give for their beliefs are not good ones. They don't stand up to the evidence. Of course, we both agree that me believing it doesn't make it true, so if you want to know more about this evidence, message me and I can give you some links. I'd make more videos about it, but I'm currently swamped with work trying to finish up my thesis, so I don't presently have a whole lot of spare time.
While I havent read any books by Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, I have read some articles online that they have written and I can't help but feel that if writing inflicted physical violence I would be dead after reading a few paragraphs. They seem incredibly bitter, like if they were not writing they would be looking for someone to punch in the face.
That's why I think everyone should read Carl Sagan's book. The reason I like it is because it is so NOT like that. Carl Sagan isn't looking to punch anyone in the face (verbally or otherwise). He has a genuine concern for humanity and where it is going. I wish I could convince Dad to read it, but since he never reads anything, maybe you can borrow it from him and read it yourself. I'm curious to know what you think of it.
A great list, but I'd include the bible as well because as Penn & Teller said, "we need more atheists and nothing will get you there faster than reading the damned bible."
True. But just reading the Bible isn't necessarily enough. A fundamentalist has probably already read the whole Bible and can quote it back to you chapter and verse. I think people need to not just read but _study_ the Bible. It's very easy to memorize scripture without really thinking about what it means or asking whether or not it really is true.
I recommend Daniel Dennett: "Darwin's Dangerous Idea".
It is a good precursor for "Breaking the Spell", but also deals with many other matters, including the implications of evolution on morality and implications for free will and others.
Also God reveals how we can have a 1 on 1 relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Salvation. Contact me if you ever want to know how to have a full relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God is AMAZING!!!!
catapillarman67 1 month ago
Isaiah 55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD - I feel bad for you, because someone with 27 years of reading the Bible never trully understood it. See, God let's us think on our own about somethings ( That's how loving he is) and then other things he let's us in on. People like you think to much about the Old Testament and everything that happened.. It is 100% accurate, but the meaning behind the Bible is to show Gods love and existance.
catapillarman67 1 month ago
Hey vlogofthemathguy, I've read all the books you have and 25or30 to boot. All great books. I also would say Carl Sagans Demon Haunted world is the best. Along with the cosmos tv series. One more I might add;The Final Superstition By Joseph Daleiden It's at amazon.com. Good luck on your journey.
verlinden66 1 year ago
Ironic that you chose "God is not Great" considering how often Hitchens confuses actual religious customs, esp. the relationship jews and gentiles shared during that period. Dawkins' original printing actually mistook a prank website on proofs for God as an actual Christian one - he edited it out of course.
I am a fan of Shermer and Sagan though. I think when people hear "religion is wrong" they think you're implying something "moral" as opposed to empirical. Clearly shows their ignorance.
lmvalle 1 year ago
The only truth in this dark sinful world is that there is a God who became flesh, took our sins upon his back, was hung on a cross until dead and then on the 3rd day arose from the grave. He bore our sins and took our punishment. For all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.
ajhnson 1 year ago
Atheism is a pretty simple concept, what could you possibly want to know that you`d spend so much time reading up on it? That`s unless you just want books to pat you on the back and make you feel smart, ie. mental masturbation.
paolo27th 1 year ago
If you reject belief in everything, you are a contrarian, NOT a skeptic.
deekismusic 1 year ago
When you said that there was one book that really nailed down why critical thinking was important, I immediately thought of The Demon-Haunted World. I'm glad to see it affected others in much the same way it did myself.
RobertlewisIR 2 years ago
"Why Darwin Matters" is a great book. Probably one of my favorites on the topic.
annalyzation 3 years ago
Add to that list The Portable Atheist, by Christopher Hitchens. It's a great collection of writings by many atheists over the years, including excerpts from many of the books in your reading list.
hackenbollox 3 years ago
Excellent reading list. I've read a few of these books and now, thanks to you, have some more titles to reserve at the library.
Keep Thinking!
divinegoddessartemis 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
also if you find reading books so interesting why don't you read up on the Bible or maybe do some research on the other side. Fuckin close-minded faggot. I believed in "science" until I found out how dumb it is. "tell a lie long enough and people will believe it". At least I wasn't stupid enough to keep believing in bullshit. But on a serious note, look up and research the people you are going against. You'll find out a lot.
xcrazykimcheex 3 years ago
Who the fuck are you to tell people religion is right? "close-minded faggot" is clearly a statement formulated by an open mind. This guy is an american and can tell people whatever he wants about religion, fascist fucking nazi. it takes some balls to defend the history of the bible by saying that science is a pack of lies.
gcoxumw 3 years ago
science is not the accumulation of knowledge, it is a method of asking questions. it is organized inquiry. what is it about religion that makes you think it is above criticism? what is it about you that makes you so opposed to asking questions and coming to your own conclusions? is it that thinking gives you a headache? the first amendment grants freedom from, not just of, religion. you might have made a very good german subject, but you make a very poor american citizen.
gcoxumw 3 years ago
Your own video should be testament to your own mental capacity. Public failure on an epic scale. Please, post more, your feeble mind is astonishing.
sarin2531 3 years ago
If you had bothered to listen to me you would know that I was a devout Christian for 27 years. I know the Bible very intimately. I've done my research. Have you?
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago
Let me ask you Vlog... Jesus Christ, real or imaginary? My point is, that a lot hinges on this...I'm speaking historically did Jesus Christ actually in fact exist or is this whole thing made up? Facts and reality are things that need to be addressed..I think an intellectually honest person will allow the facts to dictate decisions..Faith as you should know is not fantasy but is and should always be based on facts..It is interesting how many equate faith with falsehood..not in my book!
onemomentspeace 3 years ago
That's an interesting question, but it doesn't go to the heart of the matter. Even if you proved Jesus' historicity (which is going to be far from easy), you would still have all your work ahead of you proving his divinity. On what facts do you base your faith?
hackenbollox 3 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Concerning Jesus' divinity, the book of Romans an uncontested Pauline epistle written in approx 55 AD shows the idea of Jesus' divinity was circulating. Other non bible sources such as Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and more asserted that Jesus was God. Faith is an intelligent trust in what can't be seen that's inferred from evidence that can be seen-I may not be able to show you Jesus Christ..but that doesn't prove that he never existed..I think the facts (evidence) show otherwise
onemomentspeace 3 years ago
I enjoyed your guitar playing & singing hackenbollox! Take care!
onemomentspeace 3 years ago
onemomentspeace. please read Lee Strobel's "The Case For Christ"
There are many citations with factual backing to support the existence of Jesus of Nazareth and his Divinity.
There is even supporting evidence from the very religion that most denies Jesus's divinity, the Jewish faith.
Keep in mind Lee Strobel was an Atheist before interviewing experts with doctorates from Cambridge, Princeton, Brandeis, and many other schools and are recognized authorities in their own fields.
WolfNamedJohn 2 years ago
@WolfNamedJohn Lee Strobel is pretty good at making up BS. Congrats, you`ve fallen for it.
paolo27th 1 year ago
@VlogOfTheMathGuy
Just because you claimed you were a Christian for 27 years doesn't mean you really were one (obviously). The fact you are here spouting anti-Christian rhetoric just proves you were really never saved at all.
ajhnson 1 year ago
@ajhnson So I assume then, when a Christian claims to be a former atheist - such as Lee Strobel - that means
he was never really an atheist because he spouted anti-science rhetoric?
pwoods100 3 months ago
"you would know that I was a devout Christian for 27 year"
Were you really? What does that mean exactly ( that you were "devout"). How do Uknow you were a christian? U cite a rather impressive listing of modern 'anti-christian books;as a (former) professed devout christian could you provide a similar bibliography of books you researched as a christian which influenced you & which helped to shape your devout views. How is it that U appear to accept arguments w/no regard to christian experience?
shieldsff 8 months ago
Nice, calling someone a close-minded faggot. Why don't you look up the word "bigot" and see the illustration to the side--your face. I grew up in the deep south next to redneck nazis like yourself. Why don't you go vote for McCain, call some kids "liberals", throw spitballs in the back of a classroom while farting, and fuck off.
theonlymoderate 3 years ago
WOW YOU FUCKIN LOSERS DAMN LOL. Get a fuckin life really, Yea I called someone a close minded faggot because thats what you are lol, too stupid to take a hit? Fuckin retards ive believed in evolution, I keep an open mind, you guys are fuckin stupid lol I really wonder how do losers like you guys look in real life. Anyways quit your bitching, all I'm saying is I don't want to hear about your evolution bullshit in my schools. "someone of us care about the truth" what truth? lol big bang? right.
xcrazykimcheex 3 years ago
Go suck a redneck dick. Go ride "yer four wheeler." Go mud doggin. Go watch some Blue Collar TV. Keep damning people to hell and feeling better about yourself because you show up in church on Sundays. Go swallow some republican fear-mongering. Put your finger back in your asshole. Go "drink yer budweiser". Go fuck yourself.
theonlymoderate 3 years ago
How you doing Joe Six Pack? Heh heh, fuck you.
theonlymoderate 3 years ago 3
@xcrazykimcheex Science doesn't require you to believe in it to be true your close-minded faggot. what requires "belief" is stupid fairy tales you "believe" in. so keep your crazy illusions to yourself
ineonet 1 year ago
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@xcrazykimcheex Science doesn't require you to believe in it to be true, you close-minded faggot. what requires "belief" is stupid fairy tales you "believe" in. so keep your crazy illusions to yourself
ineonet 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
religion is wrong? wtf you fuckin moron. Who the fuck are u to tell other people religion is wrong. Someone needs to shoot this dumb fuck. You are talkin out of ur fucking ass "skeptics, blah blah" You are an idiot sir. I have many friends and acquaintances that believe in different religions and there is nothing wrong with that. You sir need to shut the fuck up and mind your own buisness. At least you dont have to hear the everyday bullshit in schools preaching evolution.
xcrazykimcheex 3 years ago
I'm sorry you don't care about the real truth. Some of us do.
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago 2
@xcrazykimcheex I think your comment is exactly the reason why we atheists look down on religion. We dont look down on people who have faith in some religion or other. It is religion itself, its beliefs and it's god or gods.
Religion is devisive, stops independent thinking, is fraudulent and can be dangerous. One should question everything, including religion and not blindly follow any dogma.
roac7777 1 year ago 2
What do you mean when you say religion that religion is wrong? Which religion? Do you mean that there is no god whatsoever, that all religions are false, or something else? Sorry, but I don't really understand what you meant by that. Thanks.
RAIDERJO76 3 years ago
I'm speaking of religion in general. One of the defining attributes of what makes something a "religion" is belief in the supernatural, which I am convinced does not exist. So yes, I'm saying all religions are false.
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago 3
I'm a skeptic, not a creationist. That said: Religions aren't "false" -- they are faith based, not logic or reasoning based. Many extremists (often residing in the solid south) like to push the notion that religion has logical refute to science when it doesn't. Religion investigates the supernatural and science investigates the natural domain. Evolution argues creation of mankind, not creation of existence and it can't. Religion takes a "leap of faith" approach to "answering" these questions
theonlymoderate 3 years ago
Religion attacks science, science doesn't every attack religion. Some skeptics however, do. You are arguing against "god", an arbitrary word of semantic drift that essentially implies "unknown." Your refute against religion holds no water because you are suggesting that the unknown doesn't exist. I'm troubled by radical religion, but I cannot deny the right for one to make a leap of faith, as some 40 percent of contemporary scientists do without mention to their private philosophical affairs
theonlymoderate 3 years ago
I don't believe in the supernatural and have competent understanding of probabilities, but I can offer no evidence of what initiated fundamental mathematical/physical law in the fraction of a second initiation the big bang. This neither proves religion correct nor does it answer "why" space-time existed at a point of singularity. I'm afraid you're not urging folks to be skeptics so much as coming across as an atheist preacher, preaching to the choir and not to your radical counterparts.
theonlymoderate 3 years ago
Therefore, you are doing virtually no more good in encouraging folks to think for themselves than would a schizophrenic priest. Consider pragmatism in your approach to spreading the skeptic method more so than how you are deliberately attacking people's religious freedoms. Let them decide for themselves by suggesting books on skepticism before suggesting books on atheism, lest you should not affect anyone with radical opposition. Don't fuel the fire by equating skepticism with atheism.
theonlymoderate 3 years ago
Hey. I was just about to write: where is Carl Sagan!! Then you held up the demon haunted world. At that point a screamed, "Fuck yeah!". I used to be a musician, but I'm now finishing my degree in Psychology. I'm then going to get a masters in Neurology, and eventually a PH.D. Carl was the one that made me understand what science was all about. And as I look at the world the 'candle flame is dimming' and the 'demons are still stirring'. Also, Carl and I shared in the pleasures of Pot smoking :).
crazykb 3 years ago
Edward Babinski was my roomate at Dragon*Con. he's an awesome and interesting person.
rulebook 3 years ago
I read Carl Sagan's book and many of his others..they're all worthy books. Good for critical thinking, witch I'm afraid is lacking overall in society and we should have courses on it in highschools.
sternersteverizonnet 3 years ago
Carl Sagan is the way to go Steve!!
st3even 3 years ago
yeah, well you can beleive in anything if you really want to... But beleiving realy strongly in atheism does not make does not it true; if you are a scientist with strong anti-God views i am not interested to to you, because you no more or less closeminded as a hard catholic (or protestat ;)) that things indulgence will earn an entry into heaven.
hardToSignUpHere 3 years ago
I'm an agnostic and I understand that the truth and what people believe in can be very different. That's why I'm much more concerned about the METHODS people use to arrive at their conclusion. Our understanding of the particular facts could change tomorrow. We might find alien life. We might discover quantum physics is ultimately wrong. We may find a god or gods. But there's a delicate balance between open-mindedness and skepticism that needs to be maintained if we want to make any progress.
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago
And what I've found from re-examining my own religion is that the reasons Christians give for their beliefs are not good ones. They don't stand up to the evidence. Of course, we both agree that me believing it doesn't make it true, so if you want to know more about this evidence, message me and I can give you some links. I'd make more videos about it, but I'm currently swamped with work trying to finish up my thesis, so I don't presently have a whole lot of spare time.
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago
While I havent read any books by Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, I have read some articles online that they have written and I can't help but feel that if writing inflicted physical violence I would be dead after reading a few paragraphs. They seem incredibly bitter, like if they were not writing they would be looking for someone to punch in the face.
UnknownParameters 3 years ago
That's why I think everyone should read Carl Sagan's book. The reason I like it is because it is so NOT like that. Carl Sagan isn't looking to punch anyone in the face (verbally or otherwise). He has a genuine concern for humanity and where it is going. I wish I could convince Dad to read it, but since he never reads anything, maybe you can borrow it from him and read it yourself. I'm curious to know what you think of it.
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago
A great list, but I'd include the bible as well because as Penn & Teller said, "we need more atheists and nothing will get you there faster than reading the damned bible."
uzebdrumz 3 years ago
True. But just reading the Bible isn't necessarily enough. A fundamentalist has probably already read the whole Bible and can quote it back to you chapter and verse. I think people need to not just read but _study_ the Bible. It's very easy to memorize scripture without really thinking about what it means or asking whether or not it really is true.
VlogOfTheMathGuy 3 years ago
Can't wait to call you "Dr. Math Guy" ;-)
CousinoMacul 3 years ago
I recommend Daniel Dennett: "Darwin's Dangerous Idea".
It is a good precursor for "Breaking the Spell", but also deals with many other matters, including the implications of evolution on morality and implications for free will and others.
BarryCPearson 3 years ago
Good luck with your PhD thesis!!
Magnek 3 years ago