| Title | : | In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1682617920 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781682617922 |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 560 |
| Publication | : | First published September 4, 2018 |
“At the heart of In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism is the enduring question of the value of living a religious life. The book begins over a sushi dinner, when Scott Shay’s business acquaintance, a self-proclaimed atheist, ridicules belief in God and places scientific progress as our guidepost for improving the world. Shay chooses not to defend God over appetizers; instead, he has shared his response in what he calls a ‘book on rational belief in God.’
“The book covers forty-one chapters, broken down into six parts, all of which explore the common arguments of atheists. Shay begins by exploring the difference between monotheism and idolatry, highlighting how the modern model for moral behavior is built on the Abrahamic faiths. Idolatry, he claims, is the enemy of morality and the practice against which atheists should direct their criticism, as it leads to the ‘widespread exploitation of the many by the deified few.’ Monotheism as reflected in the Bible, Shay contends, ‘provided nothing less than a template for a radical revolution in how man related to God, other men, and the world.’
“In Good Faith continues with a discussion of the value of free will, though Shay admits it opens the door to evil. In section four, Shay questions the challenge to prove or disprove God’s existence and role in creation; in section five, he discusses the historical accuracy of the Bible. In the book’s final section, Shay suggests that both rejection and acceptance of God’s existence require a leap of faith.
“Recognizing that he’s most comfortable with the Hebrew Bible and the Jewish tradition, Shay sought out Muslim and Christian thought leaders in order to better understand how the other Abrahamic religions might answer the questions raised in his book. Excerpts from these conversations, which reveal an extraordinary depth of religious conviction, enhance Shay’s arguments in favor of religion.
“In Good Faith is a fresh reworking of a perennially challenging subject. Shay’s thoughtful and accessible writing style will make the book engaging to a wide variety of readers.”
—Jonathan Fass, Chief Operating Officer of Jewish Family Service (Stamford, CT), for the National Jewish Book Awards, Jewish Book Council
In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism Reviews
-
As an atheist brought up Catholic, I entered this book with an open mind. I thought it would be a mental debate of sorts, with him bringing points that I hadn't thought of or that would convince me that maybe I was wrong. But, he even states in the introduction that what he really has in mind is a "gotcha" type of book, where he proves how wrong and silly atheists are. In addition, he talks about atheists as if we are an organized group, that we consult with each other before deciding anything, etc. Nothing could be further from the truth. (We are not a club).We are simply separate people who do not believe that there is a God. But, still he sets out to prove that we are all wrong. I was still in, though...I wanted to see his proof. He then launches into a lengthy history of the Bible and of monotheism, as opposed to idolatry. Again, I was raised Catholic and I am pretty knowledgeable about this stuff. No proof here. He talks about how atheists have issues with the Bible, i.e. genocide, slavery, subjugation of women, etc. and he explains it all away. He also touches on the history of morality and how religion has really kept us in line. So, atheists can't be good people? I beg to differ. We do good because it is the right thing to do, not because we are afraid of a divine slap on the wrist or worse, an eternity of them.
Anyway, I respect all belief systems as long as you don't interfere with my lack of one or try to run my country based on yours. There was nothing here that changed my mind.
Thank you to Goodreads for the free book! -
Scott A. Shay
ΦBK, Northwestern University, 1979
Author
From the publisher: Religion can be both inspiring and distressing. And many critiques of it are simultaneously compelling and dubious. Shay examines atheist arguments with a refreshing modern eye in this comprehensive look at our most fundamental questions about faith and reason.
Prominent atheists claim the Bible is a racist text. Yet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. read it daily. Then again, so did many ardent segregationists. Some atheists claim religion serves to oppress the masses. Yet the classic text of the French Revolution, What is the Third Estate?, was written by a priest. On the other hand, the revolutionaries ended up banning religion. What do we make of religion’s confusing role in history?
And what of religion’s relationship to science? Some scientists claim that we have no free will. Others argue that advances in neurobiology and physics disprove determinism. As for whispering to the universe, an absurd habit say the skeptics. Yet prayer is a transformative practice for millions.
This book explores the most common atheist critiques of the Bible and religion, incorporating Jewish, Christian, and Muslim voices. The result is a fresh, modern re-evaluation of religion and of atheism. -
I have a degree in World Religions and think it is very important to study outside of your chosen faith. In my many years of healthy arguments and debates, I have found Atheists are usually the best educated on religion and its consequences. And it's not that they don't want to believe in SOMETHING it is that they have the often hypocritical ways of DO-Gooder-Christians. OR left the faith they were raised in....why do I need to be a Lutheran just because my parents are. A few of my lifelong friends and my romantic partner are atheists but they have NEVER put me down for my Faith if anything they are comfortable they have someone they can ask questions with.
THIS Book did just that it gave us new topics and views points to discuss. Give general education on both sides of the God coin. Diving further into faith and atheist views in other countries would have been bumped this up to five stars.
All in all a well-done discussion piece. -
I like the idea of this book and Scott Shay is a good, common-sensical person. The chapters on the Bible and history are pretty good, as is the monotheism part. But his explanations often don't explain anything, and the last chapter on prayer is hard to understand. The contributions from non-Jewish religious leaders pretty much adds nothing to the book and feels like political correctness.
-
Interesting and original approach to the faith vs atheism question focusing on the idea that the more rational of both sides should oppose idol worship which is perhaps the most important idea advocated by the Hebrew Bible.
-
In Good Faith
In Good Faith, Questioning Religion and Atheism by Scott A. Shay, is an interesting book. It makes you think. I highly recommend this book. -
Review coming soon, just won the book and added it to my library
