The Ways of an Atheist [Paperback]

Bernard Katz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

Bernard Katz smartly turns biblical tales and religious declarations back on themselves to expose their mythical origins and obvious contradictions. This remarkable and entertaining collection of essays takes an atheistic and humorous look at the most popular religious beliefs, including the concept of God, biblical morality, magic and miracles, the much-touted mental health benefits of religion, and the impact of archaeology on religious beliefs. At the same time he exposes the dark side of major world religions, pointing out the sexual symbols that lurk behind many religious images. Katz has a biting and succinct style and a knack for presenting the fresh fruits of atheistic thinking to a wide general audience. He clearly illustrates in these essays that morality and goodness are of human origin, not divinely inspired, and that religion can in fact breed immorality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a fine book for laypersons trying to understand the positions of freethinkers." -- Free Inquiry

"...the area of coverage is good...thorough, but not rigorous." -- Humanist in Canada, Autumn, 2001

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573922730
• ISBN-13: 978-1573922739
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,894,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Ways of an Atheist by Bernard Katz, August 21, 2003

By 

Social Mayhem (Amerika) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ways of an Atheist (Paperback)

Katz has produced a very delicate, humorous, and scholarly book that more often points out the absurdity of religion then disproving it. In many ways the book is an essential read for many students, in all parts of the world, but especially for Americans and Westerner's in general. Katz outlines the many hypocritical aspects that are often not obvious to the everyday churchgoer.

Among the most striking parts of the book Katz remembers the hypocrisy of the church from his childhood, "I remember when at the height of the Great Depression, when folks hardly had enough to eat, a rabbi would travel to our community from Brooklyn to collect money for Yeshiva students. No doubt they felt it was more important to buttress rabbinical studies than to help those who had empty wallets and empty stomachs. Such experiences let a rotten taste in my mouth."

The short book, only 152 pages, reads fluidly and easily. Among the many interesting chapters, there is a series of questions on God, Morality, Magic, Miracles, and the Bible. There is an interesting chapter on Jesus, where he is depicted as a revolutionist trying to lead the Israeli's into an armed uprising against the Roman Empire. There are many interesting ideas and facts in this book.

The interesting thing about such a book is that it is obvious that many atheists will read this and smile nodding their heads, while the majority who go to church and believe in God will probably never open it. It is doubtful that a Christian or a Jew would be converted through this book, but it is surely a work that will open up some minds to the harsh interpretations that society has created out of the works of revolutionaries, mystics, poets, and everyday workers.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD START FOR THIS TOPIC, July 27, 2002

By 

Paolo GENOVESI (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ways of an Atheist (Paperback)

Excellent book, well written, to the heart of the problem, you can see that is written by somebody who has studied the Bible and other sacred text of the 3 most important world religions.
I didn't like the way was edited though. In any case a good introduction of a good first book for somebody who dare to venture in such complicated topic.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Ways of an Atheist, September 12, 2011

By 

annie b - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ways of an Atheist (Paperback)

The book is interesting with lots of references and facts. I am distressed not being able to find out more about the author... is he the well known Katz or a wanna be? I feel more comfortable when I know I am reading from a scholar other that a writer expressing their opinions.