Customer Reviews

What about Gods? (Skeptic's Bookshelf Series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you are raising your kids to be able to think clearly for themselves instead of giving them canned answers for things which are basically unknowable, you will have to deal with this issue, since most of your kids' friends will be raised as believers in "God", and they do talk to each other about this. I've taught my children about the common beliefs of other religions so that they understand them when they encounter them, but I think that this book clearly labels these beliefs for what they are: simplistic holdovers from the days when faith was the only means for understanding the world, and religion was the only tool for controlling the people. If I have one complaint about the book, it is that it doesn't emphasize the practical necessity of never, ever belittling these religious beliefs; this is one lesson my children know very well, not just for politeness' sake, but also for survival as a minority.

This book gives a concise overview of an immensely over complicated human condition. The creation of god by man is explained simply and clearly for a child. I wish I had been exposed to this book when I was about eight years old. It could have saved me much self doubt and turmoil resulting from early indoctrination.

"What about gods", was the first childrens book I have come upon that really reveals religion for what it is. Children that I have had the pleasure to expose this work to, immediately knew the truth. The term, "lying to your mind" is a qoute that I use now, even as an adult. About time someone wrote a work that children could in no way misinterpret. It's about time.

I wish there were more books like this. "What About Gods" really walks children through a simplified version of what gods are and why people believe in them. This books needs to be read under adult guidance for children under nine or ten (maybe older), because it is still a complicated subject matter.

"What About Gods" really walks a parent through the difficult task of explaining religion to kids, and gives kids the confidence to know that there is no reason for them to conform to a religious society.

My 9 year old was disappointed in this book. He already expressed agnostic leanings, and I thought this book would help clarify the issues. The thesis of this book is that the Judeo-Christian God is part of a mythological tradition and people believe in God for nonrational reasons. My son was disappointed that the book did not effectively explain why really smart people believe in God. The problem with the book is that it does not present alternate conceptions of God (besides the old man in the sky conception), so the book is an example of the straw man fallacy. Another problem with the book is that it assumes a very simplistic view of belief and knowledge. The book raises the right issues, but it is too superficial even for children. I would recommend it only if presented with another book that scratches the surface more deeply.

I found the book magnificient in that not only was I able to stand by with my wife as my children read the book out loud witout any help, but I was able to expand on what Dan Barker covered. If you don't plan to live 1 million years, or have a will with specific instructions on what your children should learn, then begin by teaching them how to think on their own by using their logic, understanding and reason, not yours, their neighbors, teachers, friends, televisions, history, unfounded believes, etc. The world will eat them up and swallow them in pieces if we don't teach them how to think and be freethinkers.

I liked the book and the message and it will come in handy with my daughter - in several years. Was looking for something a little more simplified geared towards a pre-schooler.

Nevertheless, your child might decide on a certain path, one taken by her friends, etc. In the long run, it is good to give them this exposure at an early age. Personally, I can't imagine imparting to my children that one or more of our neighbors (their trusted friends) has the wrong idea about religon. After all, for immediate neighbors we have: Hindi, Lutheran, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Buddist, and Morman to name a few. One of my daughters believes this book is inherently evil, while the other rejoices in the idea that we all have common needs. Judge it for yourself -- it is not confrontational.

According to the King James version of the Bible, Proverbs 22:6, we are to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." To most parents this instruction makes perfect and simple sense so they set out raising the recent addition to their family, basing their child-rearing on their own moral standards. New parents may seek or receive advice from family members, friends, and neighbors, as well as by reading books on the subject of raising a child. Ultimately, the parents will choose to raise their offspring in adherence to their own behavioral attitudes and beliefs.

In his book, "What about gods?", author Chris Brockman addresses this child-rearing issue from the perspective of that of an atheist, or non-theist. Not so simple; not back in the mid-seventies when the book was written, nor even still today. For example, it is only within the last decade that atheism has been taught in British schools. In the United States, presidents ask the people to bow their heads in prayer for their nation. The general population of the universe has long believed in a god or gods. The atheist simply does not.

So what resources are non-theist parents to avail themselves of to combat what their children are being told about god by children in the community raised in a religious family household? How do the atheist parents combat the shoving-it-down-your-throatism of a religious community when trying to train their children in the way they believe their children should go?

Brockman answers these questions by providing a non-fiction children's book which parents can read with their children. He begins by defining a god as "a mythical character" made up "to explain things people don't understand." Brockman goes on to explain that through science we have outgrown the need for make-believe gods through "thinking, measuring, and testing." "What about gods?" instructs children to ask "about what it means to be good, and what it means to be bad," eschewing the need for rules set forth by a god when one can think from within oneself to determine what one should or should not do, for the good of oneself, as well as for all of humanity.

God. It is odd how such a tiny little word can hold the power to wreak limitless havoc in the mind of mankind. Perhaps what Chris Brockman is trying to convey to the believers of an all-powerful deity with "What about Gods?" is parallel to what Stephen F. Roberts wrote, "I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

And to the children, this message from Chris Brockman: "Keep on thinking."

This book provides a child with a look at WHY people believe and HOW critical thinking skills can open one's mind. This book is a little "wordy" for children under 10 but provides a good message anyway. My only complaint is that the pictures are lacking color. My son can always use the artwork as a color sheet though :)