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137 of 160 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best layman's first critique of Christianity., November 12, 2002
Charles Templeton's FAREWELL TO GOD is the best layman's first introduction to the problems of orthodox Christianity I have yet read.The book is divided into forty-six brief and nontechnical chapters, ideal for the average Mortimer or Jacqueline on the street, who can spare no more than a few minutes a day studying something as unimportant as religion. Although Templeton covers many subjects, he places heavy emphasis upon the Bible. This will be informative for the average Christian, who is likely to have only passing familiarity with most of the Good Book, and will no doubt be astounded to discover some of its contents. In his chapters on the Bible, Templeton usually spends a few pages recounting a story from the book, and then comments upon its implausibility or barabarity. The commentaries are, for the most part, quite obvious, but their value for novices should not be underestimated -- tradition has built such an aura of sacred immunity around the Bible, that most people are in desperate need of someone willing to call a spade a spade. It is important to emphasize the introductory nature of the book. Templeton does not by any means come close to offering the last word on anything he discusses. He does not even attempt to interact with standard apologetic responses to the kinds of worries he raises. There are also a handful of errors in Farewell to God, such as the staggering mischaracterization of atheism as the claim to absolute certainty (17), without argument (18), that there is no god, or the glaring self-contradiction in which Templeton denies the Bethlehem birth of Jesus in one chapter (85), and presupposes it in another (96). Seasoned fundamentalist apologists, then, will surely consider Farewell to God naive and simplistic (though they will hardly object to the caricature of atheism). Experienced infidels will likewise learn nothing new from Templeton, but they will be more liable to appreciate his eloquence and pointedness. Infidels will also recognize the great value of a forceful initial critique of Christianity: it is surely a good thing for novices not to get bogged down in endless rebuttal and counter-rebuttal during their first steps; for novices, accessibility is the key, and Templeton more than delivers on that count. In short, I heartily recommend FAREWELL TO GOD as informative to anyone who has yet to read a critique of Christianity, and as enjoyable to experienced religious skeptics. Dedicated fundamentalists, however, should not read it without an ample supply of blood-pressure medicine.
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36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rare Intellectual Honesty, June 24, 2005
In this age of political, economic, ideological and religious marketing it is refreshing to come across such intellectual honesty and personal convictions. He is essentially saying that the philosophical edifice of his previous life was based on what he has come to believe is a lie. Unlike many unbelievers, he does not yell or rail against believers or the Church as an institution, not does he seem to have any scores to settle. Instead, his tone is one of sadness and regret, personal remorse and respect for those who keep the faith that sustained him and has millions of others. He understands the allure of religion, particularly it a social setting. It is one thing not to attend a church; it is quite something else to declare one's opposition to religious teachings.
This is not a literary masterpiece but it is a searching tale of how individual thinking, reason and analysis can lead someone to reject the very foundations of his life. Something of this order occurred when the USSR ceased and honest Socialists admitted that their vision of economics, history and human motivations were abysmally wrong. But religion touches the soul in ways that ideology cannot since it concerns not only the here but the hereafter. While for some, politics is simply another religion, to the vast majority there is a distinct difference.
Templeton traces his life as a convert, scholar and preacher. It appears (and I suspect) there was always a seed of doubt that he sought to banish through good deeds, prayer and simply not entertaining the idea that Christianity is an inspiring fraud. Yet it is our mental faculties which ultimately propel us forward, giving rise to inventions that save labor and pain, to medicines that heal bodies and to material benefits that provide us time to muse on the things of the spirit.
One reason why his experience is rare is that few take the time to study the origins of their religion, read critical analyses but simply accept current teachings wihout wondering how they came to be. He had to overcome shame, a sense of personal failure, the task of telling those he loved that he had made such a decision and yet...he seems to have been set free. A great read.
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41 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Response to reviewer, March 22, 2004
By A Customer
I wanted to respond to Samuel Weisman below, who posted among other things this charitable, loving Christian line, "It is comforting for me to know that all atheists will spend their eternity in a lake "brimming with fire and brimstone!" Splendid!" After dealing with years of abuse in an abusive church, I have been contemplating leaving my faith. This was one book on my list that I was considering reading. I am also planning to read some Christian apologetics before making my decision. Yet, when I looked and saw Samuel gleefully gloating over human beings suffering eternal punishment as his sadistic "I told you so", one-up manship; I was reminded of why I left that place of pseudo love to begin with. Why should a loving God want such a hateful attitude in a perfect heaven? But I must thank you Samuel, you have reminded me why I left church to begin with- threats, intimidation and fear do not co-exist with love. Torturing people for eternity with no redemptive or corrective purpose does not coexist with mercy and justice. I hope you don't die and find out we are judged on our attitudes and not our religious system. I'll do well to have nothing to do with this false humility, compassion and love again. Farewell Christianity- guess I don't need this book afterall- Samuel made the authors case.
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