The God Delusion
by Richard Dawkins · first published 2001
40% recommend43% neutral17% critical
Why HN recommends it
Argues for atheism from science, logic and reason, covering biblical contradictions and morality without religion. It helps readers drop religious belief and suits those wanting to grasp the atheist case.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Publication Date: January 16, 2008 A preeminent scientist—and the world's most prominent atheist—asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11. With rigor and wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry,
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…believe something based on the principle of not needing any evidence at all. I become especially sad when I think of the confused minds of the poor children of these people. On the topic, I've found The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins a very enlightening read if one wishes to understand the arguments of religious people.
on “To tell someone they're wrong, first tell them how they're right” ↗…people for hours and hours. I don't know any atheist who hasn't seriously evaluated his beliefs. My position is very close to the one of Richard Dawkins. Read his books (especially Selfish Gene and The God Delusion). The last book is not as confrontational as the title suggests. Dawkins has done a few programmes for the BBC, you can easily find them online. 3. There doesn't -need- to be an answer. When a problem…
on “Why are geeks often atheist?” ↗Richard Dawkins' "Selfish Gene" and "God Delusion" are excellent reads.
on “Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?” ↗You ought to read The God Delusion to better understand the argument you're trying to refute. That book isn't centered around evolution; I don't actually recall evolution being discussed in it. The arguments were about biblical contradictions;…
on “Richard Dawkins' rage of reason” ↗Please just give up religion altogether. Read "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins and step into the 21st century.
on “State of emergency declared across France after Paris shootings and explosions” ↗…Maintenance - Robert M. Pirsig Lila: An Inquiry into Morals - Robert M. Pirsig The Open Society and its Enemies - Karl. R. Popper The Player of Games - Iain M. Banks Pale Blue Dot - Carl Sagan The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." from "The Road not Taken" by Robert Frost
on “Articles, Ideas, Books and/or Concepts that have changed your life” ↗…Recommend this book: It's not self-help. It's by a University Psychologist. We are a lot simpler than we like to think: "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by B Cialdini Also Richard Dawkins "The God Delusion". Excellent book that calls religion for what it is. He notes its a survival advantage for kids to believe what adults tell them without question: Unfortunately "Don't swim in the crocodile infested river"…
on “Lies We Tell Kids” ↗Like to see more hypotheses. Read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. He spends a good chunk of the book analyzing some of the human traits that make us susceptible to religion, as well as the evolutionary advantages of each.
on “Why are geeks often atheist?” ↗…The Ascension of Yahweh_ The Origins and Development of Israelite Monotheism The Christian Delusion The Dialogues of Plato The Early History of Heaven The End of Faith The Evolution of God The God Delusion The God Virus How Religion Infects Our Lives And Culture The Moral Landscape Who Wrote the Bible Why I am not a Christian These are just some of the books I have read on the subject, but there are…
on “"Sometimes science must give way to religion"” ↗…interruption marketing. Purple Cow - Seth Godin, made me think about standing out. The Lean Startup - Eric Ries, really changed the way I think about... Well, nearly everything that costs effort. The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins, good theory about why God most probably doesn't exist. The magic of reality - Richard Dawkins, great story about evolution, religion, etc. A short history of nearly everything - Bill…
on “Ask HN: What are some books that changed how you think?” ↗The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins, http://www.amazon.com/The-God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/06... My Brief History - Stephen Hawking, http://www.amazon.com/My-Brief-History-Stephen-Hawking/dp/03... Both real eye openers
on “Ask HN: What is HN reading?” ↗The Moral Landscape - Sam Harris River Out of Eden - Richard Dawkins The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins
on “Ask HN: What book that you read in 2015 significantly affected how you think?” ↗…than give them a legitimate reason to dislike both you, and by extension, other people that "believe in evolution". Somewhat related to that, creationists tend to be deeply religious, so books like The God Delusion -- which I very much enjoyed, by the way -- are almost guaranteed to turn off a creationist. It would be better to recommend books that explain evolution through a Christian world-view, as they will have…
on “To tell someone they're wrong, first tell them how they're right” ↗11/22/63, Stephen King War is a Racket, Smedley Butler The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins Mans Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl Foundation, Isaac Asimov
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗"Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion" by Sam Harris: http://a.co/d/bpQ6OlS "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins: http://a.co/d/2aP5Tvo "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment" by Robert Wright: http://a.co/d/8IawuEo Sam Harris discusses these topics…
on “Ask HN: Best books on the psychology of religion?” ↗