The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason - Sam Harris

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

By Sam Harris

  • Release Date: 2005-09-17
  • Genre: Political Science
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 238 Ratings

Description

"The End of Faith articulates the dangers and absurdities of organized religion so fiercely and so fearlessly that I felt relieved as I read it, vindicated....Harris writes what a sizable number of us think, but few are willing to say."—Natalie Angier, New York Times
In The End of Faith, Sam Harris delivers a startling analysis of the clash between reason and religion in the modern world. He offers a vivid, historical tour of our willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs—even when these beliefs inspire the worst human atrocities. While warning against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics, Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism to deliver a call for a truly modern foundation for ethics and spirituality that is both secular and humanistic. Winner of the 2005 PEN/Martha Albrand Award for Nonfiction.

Reviews

  • Amazing and eye opening

    5
    By rjespe01
    This book is an example of the future. With common sense and logical thinking. It is one of the greatest books I've had the honor to read.
  • Loved it!

    5
    By SamFan101
    Sam is one of the few authors who I can't get enough of.
  • My rant, rave and review.

    5
    By Silent Scribe
    Honestly this is one of the best and most important books I've ever read. Anyone who has ever felt religious dogma to be irrational, implausible and impossible this book is what you always felt but did not quite know how to say. Mr.Harris says it effectively and eloquently. Reading some of Mr.Harris's rebuttal to the criticisms he received (these are at the end of the book) was a bit disheartening simply because none of them were valid criticisms just myopic misunderstandings. The point is faith is simply not a credible way to explain the world and the contents thereof and anybody who would debate this merely illustrates the fact that somebody needs to write a book about this simple yet seemingly insurmountable problem. Sam Harris stood this challenge and defeated it. There can be no real critics here. Only the whining of whipped dogs. Alas I came away from the book both elated that such a wonderful bit of enlightenment found it's way to print and certain that it would never be studied by the very people who need it's clarity and insight the most, people of faith. I don't know I really hope that I'm just being overly cynical when I say that the people I see around me seem unable and/or unwilling to modify their views of religion let alone cast down their crutches and put one foot in front of the other and tread lightly the earth. This quote from Mr. Harris "faith is simply the license they give themselves to keep believing when reasons fail" is our recipe for doom, but who knows, maybe little by little, crumb by crumb.
  • the End of Faith

    2
    By Bigtire
    That the author would ascribe certain traits to faiths and faithful without having any understanding of those faiths , and further assert that he is stating fact is laughable. Further compounding the blather is his artful use of language, it is seductive in its beauty, but no more logical by that beauty. It is a book written for the sake of writing a book, but it sheds no new light on anything. In actuality it is so simplistic at times as to make me wonder if he really is the scholar or the profiteer.
  • Incredible!

    5
    By Mac addict 42
    This is the most important book I have ever read. Period.
  • Great

    5
    By grr8dne
    This book should be mandatory reading in all schools.
  • Must read

    5
    By Antarcticman
    This book is required reading for any person who values reason. There is something in it for those who still cling to faith, as well as those of us who would make apologies for barbaric behavior perpetrated based on religious faith simply because it is part of another culture.
  • Well-written and worth your time

    4
    By Brent Bracamontes
    Dr. Harris writes convincingly of the dangers of religious ideologies. Of the many insightful and poignant remarks made in this work, Harris' thesis regarding advancements in weapons technologies is the most relevant, as well as the most alarming. Harris also sets himself apart from his other "New Atheist" colleagues by discussing novel interpretations of concepts like spirituality and nirvana. Harris is a wonderful author with something important to say. We should all be advised to pay attention.
  • Dangerous Book!

    5
    By SavedFromBeingSaved
    People of faith in any religion beware: if you are logically consistent, honest about seeking truth, and want to continue having your faith, DO NOT read this book. In it, you will find logical consistency, you will find truth, but you will lose your faith. As you, and as everyone else, should.
  • Thoughtful, even if, occasionally overstated.

    5
    By AtheistAtLast
    Wonderful book! It will make you think. Sam Harris crystalizes the problems faith causes. Quite convincing!