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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Sun Apr 1st, 2007 06:33 pm |
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Hello CHN Family,
Has anyone read this book? I read it back in October, while babysitting my granddaughers at my son's home. He had the book in plain view, along with Dawkin's "The God Delusion" and other books on Darwin's, "Origin of the Species" etc. He obviously wanted me to pick up a book and read. And being the avid reader that I am, I chose Sam Harris' book since it was the least amount of pages.  I finished it in one night. It is very easy reading, as far as understanding his message goes. However, I would never recommend it to anyone who is weak in their Christian faith or a new convert to Christianity. Or an impressionable teenager. I was actually thinking of responding to each chapter, and then sending my responses to Harris. (as well as my son) Then I got side-tracked into reading books, MANY books, on Catholicism, and I haven't been back to the atheist/agnostic arena since.  However, I do intend to get back eventually, because I want to have an informed debate with my son.
It's just that right now, I am so in love with learning about the Catholic faith that I can't seem to stop reading about it.
Anyhow, I would like opinions of this book from those of you who have read it. Thanks.
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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cdunh
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arkansas USA |
| Posts: | 30 |
| First Name: | Cal | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist to Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 08:32 pm |
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Darlene,
I do not have the Harris book ("Letter to a Christian Nation"), however, I will try to get it and give it a read. I will get back to you when I do.
St. Paul wrote to some who opposed the Christian World View, "... why do you kick against the pricks..." which reminds me of a comment in one of Shakespeare's plays ... "... [he]... protests too much..." This thought comes to mind when some decry historical christianity and its integrity and hope. Some, I suppose, are motivated by hate while the Church is motivated by love. Most, I hope, advocate against the church out of frustration and insularity. They close their minds to truth.
I personally am not interested in debates or argument or confrontational apologetics although, admittedly, some are. But I would hope for a little "quid pro quo" when some offer opinions (... books, articles, or statements...) I will read their sources if they will read mine. Or, I will read their sources and discuss these with them even if they don't want to read my sources. I have not found acquaintances very willing to criticize the church or christianity with an attitude of critical thinking or "sharing understanding".
Best wishes and a prayer for you and your son. I admire you for not surrendering to the present "ethos" which delights in attacking the church and the Christian world view.
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holsmith
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 10 |
| First Name: | Hol | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational churches and now the Catholic Church |
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Posted: Fri Apr 20th, 2007 09:34 pm |
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Hi,
Just to let you know, there is a Christian reply coming out to this, by Douglas Wilson: Letter From a Christian Citizen. I've heard it is very good...
blessings,
Hollis
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mg57
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Connecticut USA |
| Posts: | 210 |
| First Name: | mg57 | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Infant Baptised Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Apr 20th, 2007 10:43 pm |
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Hi Darlene -
While I haven't read the book, I've heard him interviewed on three different public radio programs. My impression was that he tends to set up straw dogs of his own formula also relying on applicable handy cultural charicatures to make his case.
I'm guessing, but I don't think he mentions in his book, for example, that the Vatican hosts internationally recognized philosphers, scientists, etc., many of whom are not believers, for annual conferences on any number of topics, - at least he didn't mention that in any of his interviews I heard. As a matter of fact, I had the impression he might not even have been aware of anything like these things have been taking place, - (giving him the benefit of the doubt  ).
As a philosophical corrective, ( for a novice like myself) I like to go back to Truth In Religion, The Great Ideas, by Mortimer J. Adler.
William F. Buckley Jr.
http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley062901.shtml
Ralph McInerny
http://www.angelicum.net/html/in_memoriam_mortimer_j__adler.html
God bless.
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1188 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Apr 22nd, 2007 01:54 am |
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Darlene,
I'm finishing up the Harris "book" and it's a perfect American complement to Dawkin's nonsense. Both seem to be written by men who've never grown past the style of writing I'd associate with a high school kid or college freshman.
Sarcastic drivel cranked out by some very sad nihilistic narcissists.
Neither book is worth even a tenth of the asking price. The mere fact that so many eggheads within the so-called intelligentsia buy into Harris' and Dawkins' simplistic paens to atheism only shows how shallow our so-called intellectuals are. And don't get me going on the publishers who signed on to these authors' manuscripts, much less continuing to shill them as worthy "answers to the religious right."
Even reading a Doonesbury 'toon would be more enlightening!
s.
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"This Old House's" motto is "Measure twice, cut once." My new motto is THINK at least twice or thrice, then you only have to write once, and maybe apologize nonce.
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