Customer Reviews

Godless in America: conversations with an atheist

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

 

 

Here is another valuable addition to the atheist's library. Ricker's dialogue is honest, and often hard-hitting in a refreshing way. His insights into life as an atheist will resonate with other nonbelievers, and should add to their arsenal of responses for those situations in which they are confronted with ignorance.

But Ricker's dialogue will also engage religionists who are curious about what "the big deal" is with atheists and atheism. Ricker lays it out for them by responding to their own comments and attitudes, touching on current events, patiently explaining why many atheists think and feel the way they do.

This one is highly recommended.

You won't see 26 models wearing matching outfits. You won't get to touch knuckles with Howie Mandel. George does let you see what's in the "other briefcases." He also lets you decide whether to keep the one you have or trade it for something else. This is a test in how much you believe what you're holding onto is right for you.

We're not talking about cash amounts here. The subject is religion, and you don't have to agree with the author's views to gain from this book. It's not a speech or declaration or a ploy to sway anyone from one religion to another, or to none at all. Instead, it is a candid discussion about atheism and why it has become the choice of many.

It's funny, it's informative, it poses a challenge to everyone who reads it.

George is quick to dispel myths about atheists. He clears the air for those who feel atheists must be - among other things - evil, immoral, self-centered, corrupted or devil-worshippers. As he puts it, "What makes atheists atheists is that they have no belief in a cosmic critter of any description."

George was an active church member before he chose to question the beliefs he'd been raised with, beliefs that perhaps never seemed to fit quite right. Whereas so many spend a lifetime searching for "life's answers," George has not only dared to seek these answers, but to accept them, even when they're controversial. There's a certain inner peace when one begins living one's own "truth." He phrases it, "I felt like someone who finally has been restored to health after a long, lingering illness."

He discovered that it was "better to be 'whole' than 'holy.'"

This book touches everyone. Everyone seeking their own true belief should read it, and that includes the politically interested/involved; religious; non-religious; mystics; women's rights activists; stem cells and pink elephants. (Read the book to know what I mean)

George allows us a glimpse into his personal life (see Chapters 6 and 10) and he addresses the debate over Sunday mail (bet you never thought about how that started, did you?). The book reads like a conversation - I read it in one sitting, and those who know me know that's rare.

He challenges the reader throughout the book with "mind experiments" by asking the same compelling questions of every reader, whether you believe in the widely-accepted Christian God; some other god/goddess; multiple gods/goddesses; or no gods/goddesses at all.


So read it cover to cover before you ask yourself what you truly believe. Be ready, because your answer could surprise you.

This book offers an intimate and enlightening insight into the mind of an ex-Christian who has converted to atheism. Unlike someone who was programmed at an early age and has accepted his religion without question, a "convert" can provide true insight into his beliefs. The book doesn't explain how athiests are able to conceive that "creation" occurred without a "guiding hand," but does explain how one might conclude that it just doesn't matter, and provides a thought provoking analysis of the the dogma that underlies Judeo-Christian religions. Will this book become a best seller? I doubt it...After reading my copy, I offered it to my sister-in-law who took one look at the cover and said "No thanks - I'll stick to the Bible." (Is it "faith" or "fear" that shuts one's mind like that? Perhaps it's both, for if you have one you have the other, and if you lack one, you lack the other.)
If you are a thinker-questioner, and you just cannot accept anything on blind faith, you will like this book.

I went to George Ricker's book as an excercise to test my own faith in a higher power. Ricker provides that in an excellent, non-judgmental forum of questions and answers with himself, and with the reader.

He uses logic and wit, without becoming cynical or demeaning to the believer, as he examines the existence/non of a "cosmic super critter." I recently read "The Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene and I was reminded of Greene's style in Ricker's take on the issue of God.

Just as I can disagree with Greene when he concludes there will never be a mechanism for time-travel, I can also disagree with Ricker's conclusions about the evidence of God, while conceding some major points Ricker brings up in his work.

In my mind, Ricker's case for the need to separate church and state, is never more timely than today as war erupts in the mid-east.

Elegantly, Ricker takes the reader on a walk toward enlightenment in this issue. One can agree that the mind of humanity is freed as it looks to itself for answers, more than help from an entity from without. One can agree that the mind of humanity is freed from strife when it liberates itself of the need to convert others to a rigid belief system.

Just as one can also agree that religious freedom is one of the founding cornerstones of our society, that we need to preserve at all costs.

Truly an excellent work.

There's much to recommend this book even if one has already read the more popular ones on this topic. I like the way each chapter springboards from a provocative quote typical of theistic detractors. And I like this author's well-articulated perspectives on how religion should be introduced to our children, the meaning of "faith," and the harms done to our society and our progress as the human species because of religion.

The book merits 5 stars for content in spite of some annoyances, the main one being the author's frequent use of the word "critter" in oft-repeated phrases such as "cosmic super critter" instead of "supernatural being" or God. When he takes such great pains not to needlessly offend, the periodic use of this snide-sounding put-down seems conspicuously out of place. I also think the book could use a lot of editorial polishing in sections that seem to be less tightened up than others, in terms of redundancies. Still, 5 stars. There's a lot of good stuff in this little book to appreciate.

Articulate, insightful, engaging, and refreshingly rational. "Godless in America" belongs in every atheist's library -- John Bice, author of "A 21st Century Rationalist in Medieval America."

Well thought out by George even though as a practicing Christian I have to disagree with my old classmate. As I told him, "We will have to agree to disagree." Gives some good insights into atheists, not that I ever thought atheists are evil but simply people with a different belief system than mine. Excellent comments about separation of church and government in which I am in total agreement...to the annoyance of some family members. Isn't this what this country was based on?