Many books that challenge religious belief from a sceptical point of view take a combative tone that is almost guaranteed to alienate believers or they present complex philosophical or scientific arguments that fail to reach the average reader. Journalist Guy P Harrison argues that this is an ineffective way of encouraging people to develop critical thinking about religion. In this unique approach to scepticism regarding God, Harrison concisely presents fifty commonly heard reasons people often give for believing in a God and then he raises legitimate questions regarding these reasons, showing in each case that there is much room for doubt.Whether you're a believer, a complete sceptic, or somewhere in between, you'll find Harrison's review of traditional and more recent arguments for the existence of God refreshing, approachable, and enlightening. From religion as the foundation of morality to the authority of sacred books, the compelling religious testimony of influential people, near-death experiences, arguments from "Intelligent Design", and much more, Harrison respectfully describes each rationale for belief and then politely shows the deficiencies that any good sceptic would point out.As a journalist who has travelled widely and interviewed many highly accomplished people, quite a number of whom are believers, Harrison appreciates the variety of belief and the ways in which people seek to make religion compatible with scientific thought. Nonetheless, he shows that, despite the prevalence of belief in God or religious belief in intelligent people, in the end there are no unassailable reasons for believing in a God. For sceptics looking for appealing ways to approach their believing friends or believers who are not afraid to consider a sceptical challenge, Harrison's book makes for very stimulating reading.
I write about many things but my primary focus is on science and skepticism. I believe that our world could be a little better - and a lot less crazy - if more people simply understood how science works and appreciated the protective value of skeptical thinking in everyday life.
I've held numerous positions in the news industry, including editorial writer, world news editor, sports editor, photographer, page designer, and columnist. I'm also a veteran travel writer, having visited and written about many people and places in more than 25 countries on five continents. I have had some very rewarding jobs teaching history and science to bright young students and working with abused and neglected children. My degree is in history and anthropology (University of South Florida). I've won some nice awards for my writing and photography but doubt anyone really cares about that other than my sweet mother.
When I'm not staring at a blank computer screen hoping that an interesting sequence of words will appear, I'm likely to be running, hiking, reading a science book, working out at a gym, or trying to teach life lessons to my children via repeated forced viewings of Star Trek (original series, of course). When normal people are busy thinking about politics, economics, and the Kardashians, I'm usually daydreaming about time travel, the singularity (rapture of the nerds) ancient Greece, extremophiles, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and robots.
My latest book is "50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True". It's a fun grand tour of unusual unproven claims such as astrology, psychics, ghosts, UFOs, faith healing, and so on as viewed through the lens of science and skepticism. It's published by Prometheus Books.
Here is what others are saying about "50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True"
"What would it take to create a world in which fantasy is not confused for fact and public policy is based on objective reality? I don't know for sure. But a good place to start would be for everyone on Earth to read this book."
--Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History
"Being a skeptic can be hard work, but Harrison makes it a lot easier. This is the book I wish I had written."
-Phil Plait, astronomer, author of 'Bad Astronomy' and 'Death From the Skies'
" . . . a book that deserves to be shelved alongside the works of such giants of the field as Randi, Shermer, Kurtz, and Nickell. With a combination of lively prose and keen analytical reasoning, the author examines some of contemporary culture's most commonly held beliefs. . . . A valuable, not to mention very entertainingly written, addition to the literature of skepticism."
--Booklist, November 15, 2011, starred review
"Guy Harrison's 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True is the perfect book for skeptics to carry with them whenever they venture into the dark and mysterious realms where myths, monsters, and magic lurk as pretenders to truth, and where pseudoscience and superstition rule the day. Harrison has added to the growing body of skeptical literature a contribution that will continue to move our culture toward one that openly embraces reason, science, and logic."
-Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine, columnist for Scientific American, author of 'The Believing Brain' and 'Why People Believe Weird Things'
"Extremely well-written, with a generous helping of good-natured humor, Harrison's book is the perfect antidote to magical thinking. . . . It's a fun read and should be on the bookshelves, not just of every skeptic, but of every believer in things that go bump in the night."
-Dr. Kenneth Feder, professor of anthropology at Central Connecticut State University and the author of 'Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology'
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Here's a bit of praise for my book, "Race and Reality: What Everyone Should Know About Our Biological Diversity"
"This is a very important, profound, enjoyable and enlightening book. It should go a long way in helping disprove man's most dangerous myth."
-Robert W. Sussman, Professor of Anthropology, Washington University.
Editor of 'Yearbook of Physical Anthropology' and Editor Emeritus of 'American Anthropologist'
"A tour de force that conveys the current science on racial classification in a rigorous yet readable way. A book so clearly written, so elegantly crafted, so packed with nuggets that even those who think they know it all about race and racial classification will come away changed."
-David B. Grusky, Professor of Sociology, Stanford University
"Harrison's comprehensive and engaging book should be required reading for anyone who has thought about the benighted issue of race. It will clear the cobwebs from your head." --Steve Olson, author of 'Mapping Human History'
Guy Harrison's well-written and passionate plea for eliminating the idea and ideology of race should be widely read. He has shown that the idea of race not only is contradicted by science but is a social anachronism that should not be tolerated by society in the 21st century.
-Audrey Smedley, Professor Emerita Anthropology and African-American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
"Harrison dismantles the 'race' concept, bolt by bolt. Exposing race as a social illusion and political tool-rather than a biological reality-Harrison forces the reader to consider how they think about "other folk.'
--Cameron M. Smith, PhD
Department of Anthropology
Portland State University
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And, finally, some kind words about my book, "50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God"
"Deep wisdom and patient explanations fill this excellent book." --James A. Haught, editor of West Virginia's largest newspaper, 'The Charleston Gazette'
"Engaging and enlightening... Read this book to explore the many and diverse reasons for belief." --Michael Shermer, Publisher of 'Skeptic' magazine
"A persuasive and frequently humorous book about an important topic. ...should be read by religious practitioners, political leaders, and the general public." --Nick Wynne, PhD; Executive director of the Florida Historical Society
"...doesn't bully or condescend. Reading Harrison's book is like having an amiable chat with a wise old friend." --Cameron M. Smith and Charles Sullivan, authors of 'The Top 10 Myths about Evolution'
"If this is the most recent turn of the New Atheism, it is a very welcome one!" --Massimo Pigliucci, professor of Ecology and Evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook
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