Book review: The God Delusion

[game_byrd]

I've knocked off another audiobook. This time it's Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion, which I read due to the recommendation of Christopher Hitchens. I can see how their ideas echo one another and how Dawkins' book came before Hitchens'. Several of the logical and scientific arguments of Dawkins are refined and better put in Hitchens' book, God is

Comments

[black_sluggard]

I think I tend to be the same way. I was probably eleven or twelve when I learned Santa Claus wasn't real, and I'm fairly sure I was even still entertaining imaginary friends at the time. I'm one of those people for whom fantasy can feel even more real than reality, and sometimes believing (or entertaining the possibility) of something that I can't see is somewhat comforting. It's almost like a release valve for the stresses of the world we can see.

I still ultimately wound up an atheist (or at least an agnostic) through a fairly circuitous route. The key moment for me was the discovery of Discordianism, which examines the concepts of belief through absurdist humor.

Which...is probably how I feel comfortable identifying as an atheist despite leaving offerings for the faeries on Halloween.

[game_byrd]

On a certain level - it's whatever works for you. Especially when dealing with issues of personal comfort, entertainment, and fantasy. I've found a lot of comfort during times of duress or illness in imagining imaginary people comforting or caring for me, even just watching over me. I know they're not there, but I know visualizing it makes me feel better so I do it.

It's peculiar that you say that fantasy can feel even more real than reality. Just today as I was driving home, I had the thought that the tons of fanfiction I've read is more 'real' to me than the canon material. The fanfiction generally hangs together more plausibly, is more detailed, and there's more of it.

[quirky_thoughts]

I think it's good to intellectually understand the arguments for and against religeon. Where you go from there is then up to the individual.

I totally agree that having fantasies or the belief of imaginary people comforting us can help in times of stress.

I consider myself an agnostic but have recently been moved to hope that my Mum and Dad are watching over me as I kind of need to believe they are. Like you said 'whatever works' - and also what gets us through the day.

I think audio books are a great idea. I've always loved being read to.

[game_byrd]

I've found the audiobooks to be an interesting experience by themselves. Initially, I had a really hard time paying attention. My mind and attention would wander as the guy talked (it's always been male narrators, except this book, the God Delusion, had a female co-narrator). It was quite an effort to train myself to follow along and not let my mind go off on its own. It's something I do when talking to people, which is hella rude, but I never had the hours and hours of patient, non-judgmental training the audiobooks have given me on the value of shutting off my own thoughts and passively absorbing what someone else has to say.

But I don't know if you'd have the same experience I did. I never liked being read to because it was so slow and I could read it myself much faster. I have some social/empathy challenges. So finding a way to teach myself to listen better was great.

[quirky_thoughts]

I've listened to many radio plays and narrated books on BBC radio for years. I've always loved them. So maybe I've just gotten used to them. I kind of let the words just flow into my brain... often while I'm doing something else. I like to listen while I'm driving as well.

I've got my own problems with empathy. I've got too much of it and from an early age I shut off from people to cope. Now I'm trying to find a decent balance.

[cheetobuzz]

I just deal with things by being a Deist.Ok,there was a beginning where we were created and all,but I don't get wrapped up in religions of any kind.Peace and zen can be found in keeping balance of things,but part of that balance is to not get wrapped up in focusing heavily on concepts and ideas of things religion tends to bring.Science has room for and even hints at a divine creator along with evolution and such messes religions can bring out in the angry egos of people.Just maintain balances in things like life and nature,don't get unneccesarily destructive if it can be helped,and that is good enough for anyone.You don't need definite proofs or religions anyways.

[game_byrd]

Yes, much of this. I don't mind what people believe in their own heads - whatever works for them. So many religions propagate themselves through the indoctrination of those too young to choose otherwise, or foist themselves on people through various manipulative or extortionist means. Those are the things I don't like.

[dancingdragon3]

Hmmm, that's a tough situation you're in. On the one hand, it's very bad that judges don't believe your son's testimony. On the other hand, I would never discourage anyone's imagination or creativity. But yeah, the problem lies in when you can't tell the difference. The trick is to get him to the point where he can accept two different things can exist as be equally valid - reality and fantasy, only reality goes with the world and fantasy is in your mind and heart

[game_byrd]

BTW, did you know the Kama Sutra has BDSM instruction? So cool.

No, I did not! I guess I really ought to crack open that illustrated translation I have on my shelf. Ha.