Good Without God: What A Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
The relationship between religious and non-religious people has been as acrimonious as any on the planet. Religious people believe that non-believers have no morality, are un-American, and have sworn never to vote for one. New Atheists such as Hitchens and Dawkins despise religion as the cause of wars and oppression, and are determined to stamp it out. Greg M. Epstein is trying to find a middle ground. Not in what he believes. He is firmly in the unbelieving camp, and as Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University, helps young students to be strong and proud in their unbelief. But he aspires to be a more respectful, more cooperative Humanist, willing to work alongside religious people on projects that help others. He also admits that religion has been right about a few things, and doesn't want to throw out the baby of charity and community with the bathwater of faith. Religion has been right about providing its members support during times of crisis, and in talking unabashedly about love. Human beings need these things, and Epstein recommends that Humanists have their own congregations, with buildings, and singing, and rituals. I say that Epstein aspires to be a more respectful Humanist, because sometimes he slips. He believes that being respectful is the right way to be, but in his heart he despises religion as much as Dawkins, although they may disagree on tactics. Epstein also views religion as dangerous, since it allows people to avoid dealing with major problems, such as looming ecological crisis, by saying that everything will be made right in heaven. Epstein prefers the title Humanist to atheist or any other, since it is positive. It doesn't just say what they are against (God), but what they are for (people.) He promotes human dignity, human rights, and whatever makes for a healthier, freer, fairer human society. If I were a young unbeliever, he would indeed be an inspiration to me. I am instead a middle-aged churchgoer, but I think that Epstein is a good man, flawed, as he makes sure that we know, and not the equal of his mentor Sherwin Wine, which he also makes sure that we know, but honest, kind, and generous of spirit, and I cannot help but respect and admire Mr. Epstein. Great book if you've ever wondered what atheists, secular humanists, and agnostics think and believe. Why do people who don't fear Hell donate to charities, work at a soup kitchen, and otherwise commit good works? Why would someone choose to focus on this life and making it better for the next generations, without any hope of a reward in an afterlife? And why do people join groups or communities when the have no need to worship?
What do You think about Good Without God: What A Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe (2009)?
This book helped congeal Humanist thinking I already possessed.
—piedra500
Read this one with a highlighter and keep it by my bed.
—beckylynn
I think Dawson's book is better on the subject.
—hahadihs
A great introduction to what Humanism is.
—Nupur
Good stuff - more to say about it later.
—Lovebutterfly
