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God and the Folly of Faith The Incompatibility of Science and Religion Victor J Stenger Dan Barker 9781616145996 Books

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God and the Folly of Faith The Incompatibility of Science and Religion Victor J Stenger Dan Barker 9781616145996 Books

Stegner, in "God & The Folly of Faith", attempts not necessarily to answer whether there is a God/Religion is true/untrue (although he does inadvertently). His other books focus more on that. In this book he's more focused on specifically whether science and religion (in their current forms are compatible).

Having read some of his other books ("Has Science Found God", "God The Failed Hypothesis" & "The Fallacy of Fine Tuning") I can say there is alot of overlap. Actually this book feels kinda like a mixing of all his past books with a touch of new ideas and from a new perspective. That is both good and bad. It's good in that Stegner makes a complete argument leaving few if any stones unturned. Futhermore his writing has gotten significantly better with less technical jargon and better articulation, analogies and humor. It's bad however as the book is quite long, all over the place at times, and alot to digest.

Despite this I enjoyed the book and learned quite a bit about things outside of the god debate (such as the history and origin of science as we know it, physics concepts and more). Stenger was an amazing and brilliant man who really knew what he was talking about and in this book he doesn't disappoint.

I feel though this book is best read in conjunction with his other books. At bare minum I would read "God The Failed Hypothesis" before reading this book although for the complete package I would pick up "Has Sceince found God" & "The Fallacy of Fine Tuning". If you take the time to read these book then you will likely have almost all your question about god, religion and their relationship with science addressed and will be able to make a fair judgment on what you believe.

You may also want to read other, more mainstream books like "The God Delusion" (Dawkins), "The End of Faith" (Harris) and "Godless" (Barker). Their a little less insane (in terms of material to digest), read easier, and better for those new to atheism or casually reading.

I recommend this book but do be prepared for its a lot to digest.


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God and the Folly of Faith The Incompatibility of Science and Religion Victor J Stenger Dan Barker 9781616145996 Books Reviews

God and the Folly of Faith The Incompatibility of Science and Religion by Victor Stenger

"God and the Folly of Faith" is a call for action to put a stop to superstition that only serves as an impediment to science and progress. This book provides compelling evidence of why science is incompatible with religion and why superstitious thinking and blind faith is a threat to our planet and our lives. Dr. Stenger takes the reader on an enlightening ride that covers many areas of incompatibility and shows quite convincingly that Christianity has hindered progress. This excellent book is composed of the following fourteen chapters 1. Introduction, 2. The Earliest Skirmishes, 3. The Rebirth and Triumph of Science, 4. Darwin, Design, and Deity, 5. Toward the New Physics, 6. Particles and Waves, 7. Cosmos and Creator, 8. Purpose, 9. Transcendence, 10. Beyond Evolution, 11. Matter and Mind, 12. Metaphor, Atheist Spirituality, and Immanence, 13. From Conflict to Incompatibility, and 14. Why Does It Matter?.

Positives
1. A well-written and well-researched book. Stenger doesn't disappoint.
2. Stenger's background in physics, philosophy and writing sets him apart from many authors. His writing style and background are conducive to excellent books like this one.
3. I enjoyed reading this book, always an important parameter but the other important factor is that he is fair and even-handed. Example, he doesn't overstate what science knows and is quick to keep things in perspective as is the case with Michael Persinger's famous research that has yet to be independently confirmed.
4. Good use of sound logic backed by good science and lively prose, makes for a worthwhile, enlightening treat.
5. Stays on topic and proceeds to methodically provide compelling arguments that support his main thesis science and religion are incompatible.
6. A quote fest. Many great quotes throughout the book.
7. "Irreconcilable differences arising from different and methodology of science and religion include the origin of the universe and its physical parameters, the origin of complexity, the concepts of holism versus reductionism, the nature of mind and consciousness, and the source of morality". And true to his word he proceeds to cover these areas with expertise.
8. Great history in which Stenger shows how the "Dark Ages" thwarted scientific progress.
9. The origins of religion...the tendency of humans to ascribe animate agency. The evolution of human thinking. Plato and of course the great thinker Aristotle's influence is noteworthy.
10. The Enlightenment and triumph of science. Interesting insights into Arabian science.
11. Stenger does a real good job of rebutting the Christian worldview.
12. Darwin's great contribution to the world and how it threatened the faithful. The movements that grew to oppose evolution.
13. Great accessible chapters on physics in which Stenger lays the foundation to show where religious apologists and spiritualists distort science. "Reductionism and materialism are stronger now than they ever were".
14. Stenger does not shy away from tackling the "best" arguments presented by those who oppose his views, he relishes in it. He goes after William Lane Craig, Dinesh D'Souza, Francis Collins to name a few.
15. Putting purpose into perspective and how holistic thinking keeps people from grasping simple concepts.
16. How religious beliefs thwarts stem-cell research, birth control, same-sex marriage.
17. Fascinating chapter on transcendence. One of my favorites in which Stenger goes after souls, prayers, the afterlife, spirits, (NDEs) near-death experiences, reincarnation...
18. Great wisdom..."If people believed that cosmic justice will be meted out in the afterlife, they wouldn't have any need to worry about justice in this life". And thus why such beliefs have negative consequences in society. Interesting look into morality.
19. How the Bible has been used to justify the evil that slavery was and is. Hmmmm.
20. A look at nonmaterial entities. The material brain, consciousness, free will...
21. The modern view on religion, science and atheism.
22. A great summary of conflicts. Excellent!
23. Religion and politics and how it threatens our present and future. What we believe and what we deny...global warming as an example.
24. Links worked great.

Negatives
1. Some very minor editing problems. A couple of words were misspelled like commonwealth.
2. The chapters on physics (Particles and Waves) may be a little science-heavy for the layperson.

In summary, I really enjoyed this book. Dr. Stenger has the perfect background to write such enlightening books. His prose is lucid and he writes with conviction. This book successfully proves the main point of the thesis that science and religion are incompatible. Another keeper from Dr. Stenger, I highly recommend it!

Further recommendations "God The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist" by Victor Stenger, "Lies, Damned Lies, and Science How to Sort Through the Noise Around Global Warming, the Latest Health Claims, and Other Scientific Controversies (FT Press Science)" by Sherry Seethaler, "Fool Me Twice Fighting the Assault on Science in America" by Shawn Lawrence Otto, "Scientific Paranormal Investigation How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries" by Benjamin Radford, "Science Under Siege Defending Science, Exposing Pseudoscience" by Kendrick Frazier, "Braintrust What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality" by Patricia S. Churchland, "Who's in Charge? Free Will and the Science of the Brain" by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "The Religion Virus Why we believe in God An evolutionist explains religion's incredible hold on humanity" by James A. Craig, "50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God" by Guy P. Harrison, "Atheist Universe The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism" by David Mills, "Science and Nonbelief" by Taner Edis, "Society without God What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment" by Phil Zuckerman, "Atheism Advanced Further Thoughts of a Freethinker" by David Eller "The Believing Brain" by Michael Shermer, and "Why I Became An Atheist" John W. Loftus. god is not Great How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens.
This is an important book to read regardless or your religious persuasion. Science has been impuned by people with no factual data to back up their position and who have lied about proven facts that shed a harsh light on their superstitions. If it were purely a fight between faith and knowledge it might not be so serious. But it is a far more dangerous policy when ignorance co-opts knowledge. Do you really want to believe in a god, any god, that requires blind obedience? Think of the cultures in this world that have rigid religious beliefs and ask yourself if you really think science is the enemy. I believe it is truly better to light one candle than to curse the darkness and if by lighting that candle we see things that may be uncomfortable to some, is it not better than wearing self-imposed blinders and not questioning anything for fear that enlightenment is the enemy. It was the Enlightenment that produced America, and it will be ignorance that extinguishes that light.
Stegner, in "God & The Folly of Faith", attempts not necessarily to answer whether there is a God/Religion is true/untrue (although he does inadvertently). His other books focus more on that. In this book he's more focused on specifically whether science and religion (in their current forms are compatible).

Having read some of his other books ("Has Science Found God", "God The Failed Hypothesis" & "The Fallacy of Fine Tuning") I can say there is alot of overlap. Actually this book feels kinda like a mixing of all his past books with a touch of new ideas and from a new perspective. That is both good and bad. It's good in that Stegner makes a complete argument leaving few if any stones unturned. Futhermore his writing has gotten significantly better with less technical jargon and better articulation, analogies and humor. It's bad however as the book is quite long, all over the place at times, and alot to digest.

Despite this I enjoyed the book and learned quite a bit about things outside of the god debate (such as the history and origin of science as we know it, physics concepts and more). Stenger was an amazing and brilliant man who really knew what he was talking about and in this book he doesn't disappoint.

I feel though this book is best read in conjunction with his other books. At bare minum I would read "God The Failed Hypothesis" before reading this book although for the complete package I would pick up "Has Sceince found God" & "The Fallacy of Fine Tuning". If you take the time to read these book then you will likely have almost all your question about god, religion and their relationship with science addressed and will be able to make a fair judgment on what you believe.

You may also want to read other, more mainstream books like "The God Delusion" (Dawkins), "The End of Faith" (Harris) and "Godless" (Barker). Their a little less insane (in terms of material to digest), read easier, and better for those new to atheism or casually reading.

I recommend this book but do be prepared for its a lot to digest.