The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason Paperback – September 17, 2005

Required reading for seekers and questioners of all stripes

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Concerned citizen

March 3, 2016

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How I wish that this book had been available 40 years ago when I was having doubts about my faith in middle school. To have known that there were so many others like myself who did not put constraints upon their questioning would have been so incredibly liberating and saved me from an additional 10 years of slipping, sliding and unguided pointless research. To be sure, the search continues, but on far sturdier ground.

It cannot be overstated the liberating effect of Harris' constant calling out of the incredulousness of the magical and completely unverifiable claims of millennia old religions. Also refreshing is to bring in some history about how those claims have been used to justify some of humanity's most problematic traits like racism, mob violence, misogyny and the like. He makes the important observation that in no other spheres of life do we rely on millennia old knowledge. To truly live as Jesus would have, try using 2000 year old medicine, or dress in the same cloth, or grow your food the same way, or travel the same way, (we could go on).

Once, in a family discussion (argument) about the merits of allowing the teaching of 'intelligent design' in public schools on the basis of being 'fair and balanced', I allowed that would be acceptable when Sunday schools, in the spirit of reciprocity, would be mandated to also teach evolution. I now have another book I'd like to bring to both classes - The End of Faith!! May I live so long to see the day (sigh).

In a different direction, an eye opener for me was Harris' pointed confrontation of the Islamic faith. On that score, he almost becomes an ally of my, mostly right-wing - gun friendly - soldiers for the Christian faith - friends and family. I wouldn't be surprised if some would complain by claiming that he is in some way possibly racially or tribally prejudiced, but it seems to me that this is simply going after the 'low hanging fruit' that is in our headlines almost daily. He makes a telling point that we don't see many Christian suicide bombers. And so, rather than relying on dusty history to make the point of how religious faith might have been abused in the, possibly irrelevant past, he brings it into the present day where it can't be as easily denied. (I wish he would have turned his sharp mind against the modern day faith healers like Benny Hinn and his ilk.)

Highly stimulating and highly recommended!

20 people found this helpful

A book against intellectual and theological bankruptcy.

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Lord Gord

November 23, 2017

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Sam Harris's brilliant argument against dogmatism and religious moderates isn't only effective regarding religion, it's effective regarding any issue in life. Follow the evidence, use the methods of science to find what is objectively true, and make your decision based on what is true. Giving credence and respect to beliefs with no evidence is something that our society needs to do away with. Feelings aren't facts and Sam makes that point in a calm yet forceful argument.

6 people found this helpful

Read it and let the chips fall where they may!

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RJS

October 19, 2014

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It is a bold approach to tackling the issue of religious doctrines and how they affect their followers beliefs and actions. Sam Harris puts it all on the table and pulls no punches as he compares modern educated reasoning to the thoughts and philosophies of the authors of such doctrines espoused thousands of years ago and still blindly followed today. A person who is a firm believer of their doctrine of choice will not find this book comforting and will most likey call Dr. Harris the devil. A person who has serious concerns about following any of these doctrines will most likely come away from this book with further insight and common sense information to objectively look at the subject with a descerning eye. As Dr. Harris so clearly points out, we demand objective proof in almost anything we do or accept in our lives before we take action on it, except when it comes to religious faith... there it seems people are willing to follow their doctrine off the proverbial cliff with no questions asked. I commend Dr. Harris on his work and gumption to put it out there. I would highly recommend the book to anyone with a penchant for learning and truth when it comes how they should live their life.

10 people found this helpful

zencatTop Contributor: Philosophy

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A book I wish everyone would read--it could save the world [really].

July 24, 2016

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It is great to see this book has sold and continues to sell many copies. It is vital information: the history of religious insanity, the current religious fanaticism that threatens to destroy civilization, rational warnings and workable suggestions to the wise, the way out of our self-made destructive traps, the nature of the mind, the way the brain works, the real nature of who and what we are i.e. Consciousness itself.

Buy it. Read it. Buy another copy and pass it on to your best friend [or your worst enemy]. The book is among my favorites to have and to read. Thanks, Sam Harris, for this treasure!

11 people found this helpful

Provocative, influential, well-written, give it a chance

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Michael Chelberg

May 3, 2017

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True to his reputation, Sam Harris is extremely well thought out, speaks vividly but clearly, and takes a controversial stance but offers evidence and logic difficult to argue with. I will admit, while tolerance is a valuable moral undertaking, this book will not provide any effort in that direction. In fact, while Harris is completely void of any racial or religious hate, his stance is such that tolerance may no longer be the very best option-too much tolerance can act against us and may even be at the root of a global problem

3 people found this helpful

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February 8, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a good book, but understand the author spends a good amount of time trying to find a substitute for spirituality and appears to rank one religion against another in terms of aggression. I don't take issue with either of these things, but many have taken Harris to task on that last part. Harris also doesn't really get into explaining or defending why religion is unnecessary, only that it has the capability to make otherwise rational people behave irrationally. The book is otherwise well-cited, and can get pretty wonky. If you're looking for several books to read regarding religion, evolution etc, this should be one of them, but I wouldn't make it your sole entree.

6 people found this helpful

Excellent, thought provoking book.

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