Customer Reviews

In God We Trust : But Which One?

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Judith Hayes has done an excellent job of presenting the absurdity, contradictions, and irrationality of religions in general and Christianity in particular. And she does so in an informal, down-to-earth fashion that makes reading enjoyable. She also briefly shares with the reader her journey through religion to where she is today, a freethinking humanist. Truly, a happy ending.

First off, this book was made for fence sitters and closet atheists,not those who's faith is strong and don't intend to let a single book change their mind(if I believed in religion that strongly, I probably wouldn't let it). She's not preying on confused minds, but if you like bacon, reading a book on how there are problems with bacon might not make you stop eating it altogether.
As for the overpaid comment, Judith writes a monthly column, usually around 2,000 words, FOR FREE. I certainly don't speak for her, but I'm pretty sure her main purpose of writing a book was to reach a bigger audience. As a humanist, she doesn't seem the greedy type.
Her book also states exactly the OPPPOSITE of having an absolute truth on this topic. She discusses how the term agnostic is pointless, because NO ONE knows if there is a god or not. Atheists don't acknowlage one, and don't think there is one, but if there is a god and it is omnisciant, then we may never know if it exists or not. No one knows if there is a god or not. Not me, not Mrs. Hayes, not the Pope, and definitly not Jerry Falwell
The book itself is actually fun to read, at least from an atheist's point of view. Although many of the points she makes are at times somewhat disturbing( because they apear to be true), she writes in a light-hearted way that makes reading it a treat, not a challenge.
Everyone just keep in mind that this is a rating of a book, not a place to push your beliefs(or non-beliefs). Review the book, not the belief system.

Judith Hayes was raised as a Catholic and after realizing her Hindu friend would not get to heaven, began to question her faith. She noticed inconsistencies in the Bible, in religious dogma and in the history of religious practices. She searched for answers like everyone should do to arrive at the best explanation of how we got here and what life is all about. Her book is a document that addresses this process. It points out absurdities in the Old and New Testament that believers skip over or ignore. She challenges the basic assumptions of all religions and the errors of their reasoning. She dwells on great depth on morality based with and without gods and priests. She writes colorfully in an entertaining manner with explanations that can be followed by a child, explanations that have gone through all of our minds and those before us. I could not put the book down, reading it in 2 sessions. I would give this book to anyone open to learning more about his or her faith, or looking for the best answers humanity has come up with in explaining our existence. It is a bargain for the price and the time to read. Understanding of our place in the universe is valuable beyond price.

It's interesting how religious fundamentalists are bashing the book with 1 star. If they don't want to read a book that criticizes their religion, maybe they should've read a book written by a televangelist.

Overall a book that is dry at times but offers an interesting read that brings up good points.

Judith Hayes delivers her iconclastic messages with wit and a sense of humor.

One of the highlights "In God" comes when she muses about the contridiction between Christ's full humanity and his divine status. When he was a baby, did he get sick? Did he cry? When he learned to walk, did he fall down? Did Christ have to deal with mundane human events.

"The humor in this sitution," she writes, " lies in the image of an eternal, all-powerful God scratching at a mosquito bite."

She also lists the murders in the Bible, and raises questions about the allegedly loving, merciful God of the Bible.

"The often cited commandment against killing, 'Thou shalt not kill," is so riddled with exceptions as to be almost a macabre comedy." She writes.

"In God" is sure to offend devout believers, entertain athesits, and give food for thought for boarderline theists.

Judith Hayes gives us a very readable and very personal critique of the Christian faith. Her style is clear, simple, and easy to follow. "In God We Trust" is a light read on a heavy subject. She makes her subject accessable and enjoyable with simple inquiry and "every day" common sense. A great book to give to "believers".

This book is good for beginners. It does provide some adequate criticisms of christianity, but, at times, is too emotional. As a scientist, I am logical and must be emotionless, and prefer books that are the same. Mrs. Hayes does know what she is talking about, and writes with just a touch of sarcasm. Perhaps the last chapter should have been the first chapter. This is not a scholarly book for serious study, but for light reading.

From its title I supposed that this book would show what gods other than the God of Abraham have to offer, and how I might avail myself of their services. Instead, all the author offered was an extended commercial for Atheism. And feminism.

Joseph Heller and Thomas Paine, to name but two, got there years before this puerile parrot. A weak, pathetic, sad, humourless, unoriginal effort.

Here is a perfect example of wasted time. An over paid over opinionated author with little or no clue to what THEY wrote. Asking US to believe words they have twisted. This is the typical, "I'll wave my hands in the air and hope to be seen."style of defiance that went out in the 60's.Why would one expect to have others believe,what they have written is true,when THEY say what has been written before them is fraudulent?.It is an opinon that has little effect on life as we know it.Always let your conscience be your guide.