The God Delusion

Richard Dawkins

Language: English

Publisher: Black Swan

Published: Oct 18, 2006

Form: Other
Pages: 587
Word Count: 143293

Description:

*The God Delusion* caused a sensation when it was published in 2006. Within weeks it became the most hotly debated topic, with Dawkins himself branded as either saint or sinner for presenting his hard-hitting, impassioned rebuttal of religion of all types. His argument could hardly be more topical. While Europe is becoming increasingly secularized, the rise of religious fundamentalism, whether in the Middle East or Middle America, is dramatically and dangerously dividing opinion around the world. In America, and elsewhere, a vigorous dispute between 'intelligent design' and Darwinism is seriously undermining and restricting the teaching of science. In many countries religious dogma from medieval times still serves to abuse basic human rights such as women's and gay rights. And all from a belief in a God whose existence lacks evidence of any kind.Dawkins attacks God in all his forms. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry and abuses children.*The God Delusion *is a brilliantly argued, fascinating polemic that will be required reading for anyone interested in this most emotional and important subject. Discover magazine recently called Richard Dawkins "Darwin's Rottweiler" for his fierce effective defense of evolution. Prospect magazine voted him among the top three public intellectuals in the world along with Umberto Eco & Noam Chomsky. Now he turns his considerable intellect on religion, denouncing its faulty logic & the suffering it causes. He critiques God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion & demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry & abuses children, buttressing his points with historical & contemporary evidence. In so doing, he makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just irrational, but potentially deadly. He's fashioned an impassioned, rigorous rebuttal to religion, to be embraced by anyone who sputters at the inconsistencies & cruelties that riddle the Bible, bristles at the inanity of "intelligent design," or agonizes over fundamentalism in the Middle East or Middle America.