Customer Reviews

A Question of Faith: An Atheist and a Rabbi Debate the Existence of God

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Dr. Kaufman and Mr. Shor present both sides of this debate with such zeal, wit, and logic that readers will find themselves nodding in agreement as the arguments unfold--on both sides! I couldn't put the book down because I always wanted to see what the other's counter-arguments were going to be.

The book is very thought-provoking, forcing the readers to develop more questions as they go. In true debate fashion, there is no "final" answer. We are left with the question of God's existence still unproven, but our understanding of the debate deeper and more enlightened. Both men display a literate and insightful glimpse of humanity's yearning for deeper meaning to life. The book is full of the wit and wisdom that comes from a full life, as both these men seem to have led.

I recommend this book whole-heartedly to anyone who wishes to understand their own faith or the faith of others. In the end, it provides no magic answer, rather it forces us to think for ourselves. I can't think of a greater literary gift.

This book is perfect for anyone questioning thier belief in "God" or wanting to strenghten thier ability to debate the existence of a higher power. Both sides are wonderfully defended. I personally believe the atheist wins the debate. However, there is still hope left if one choses to have faith (belief without proof). Everyone should read this book. However, if they did, there would not be as many places of worship.

I thought that this was an "okay" book for comparing theism and atheism, but nothing went together and it was difficult to keep track of the issues. As an atheist, I felt that this book did nothing for my beliefs. I did, though, enjoy being able to look in on two people who were open-minded enough to have a debate over theism.

I think everyone comes to a point in their life that they have to question their beliefs. While I think it truly comes down to a personal decision based on one's own thoughts and feelings of what one believes, it is always useful to understand other perspectives in arriving at our own conclusions. I thought this was a great book to follow along on the philosophy and teachings of an effort to expand our own knowledge, philosophy and understanding. While there was no clear winner, I think one certainly argued a better point than the other. If nothing else, I feel I have a better understanding of some of the major points of controversy, and am better informed to make my own decisions.

Imagine two great champions vying for the world chess title. They are Boris Spassky and Michael Jordan. They have agreed to follow the rules of basketball and hold a "slam-dunk" competition, and the winner will be seen as having the better grasp of chess. In the end, of course, Spassky is forced to concede that Jordan may have the superior vision of the game and greater comprehension of how chess should be played.

Absurd as it may seem, that is approximately the premise of "A Question of Faith." Notwithstanding the title, the two authors, an atheist, Morton Shor, and a rabbi, William Kaufman, debate faith and the existence of God using criteria of science, logic and "independently verifiable evidence." They are discussing an issue of belief using rationality as the benchmark. It should be no great surprise, that the atheist is much more convincing using these tools, for the rabbi can only raise non-provable philosophic and religious arguments which have no standing in a scientific debate. So in the end the rabbi, who inexplicably has accepted rules which have no bearing on issues of faith, must concede that the atheist may have some right on his side. The atheist has no need to concede anything, and he does not do so.

The concept of the book makes little sense if the goal is to illuminate the issue, nor should it be expected that the two authors would have common ground for any reasonable discussion. They are playing basketball to decide the chess championship.

Atheists will love this book. The religious will not.