The average user rating for this Book is 7.9 out of 10 (based on 65 Votes).
Chris C gave it a10: Excellent. Just sheds light onto reason. His words are quite funny and yet understandable actually, which made things difficult for me to understand when reading some of the other professional reviews. Some wrote against his passion. What I am wondering is, why should he respect something that he has so much disgust in? I always thought that authors were supposed to be passionate. Would anyone think anything of a pro-God writer writing with respect and restraint for non-believers? Overall, interesting and way way way sensibly alluring.
Mike T. gave it a10: I know realize what I truely am because of this book. As a de Facto Athiest, I will be the biggest pain in the ass at my Catholic School from now on. I find Dawkins absolutly crushes the BS I was taught in philosophy, I refuse to listen to confused old pjilosophers, I prefer scientists. Of you are a firm agnostic, or apologetic to religion, dont rate this book. Please, its just wrong folks. I find Dawkins attacks the retarded findamentalists to much, he should concentrate on normal people more. The book does have enough good points to make any intelligent, non emotional person to at least become agnostic. That, and I want to join an organized athiest group, I refuse to be trampled by madness.
A- Thiest gave it a9: I find it absolutely hilarious when people dismiss scientists when they talk about theology because they are not experts. The complexity and merrits of religion!!! Which religion!! The hundreds humanity has come up with since the dawn of self conciousness... maybe we should start being more respectful of Scientology, or are you just pissed off because its all being lumped in with your "respectful" judeo-christian religion... the simple fact is, if there are people out there talking about science(especially in regards to schools) who think that the Earth is 6000yrs old, i have no problem with a scientist pointing out all the massive holes that are found in the scriptures and culture of organised religion. This is the 21st century, why dont we stop pretending its the dark ages. Yes, religion can provide a good moral compass(it can also give you one of the worst- which quite irrationally is totally up to you...), it makes you feel good in times of need, and it makes you part of a community, but no matter what religion does, it should not and cannot play a part in any form of democratic governance! For something completely unproven, bar a single piece of literature which substantiates itself, to hold so much reverence and un-debatable respect is ludicrous in this day and age. Everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe, within reason and the law(yes Law, i dont know if you've heard of it, but it is the magical thing that will stop everybody killing and raping each other if we didnt have religion!), but until the day that your messiah(whichever yours is) returns, how bout you keep it to yourself and not try to influence society with your dogma, we dont need it!... loved the book
warren b gave it a10: This book was always going to get bad reviews from the mainstream. Richard dawkins said what needed to be said, and he didnt pull any punches into the bargain. many critics call him a fundie atheist, however he is a lot more tolerant than the fundies themselves, Bravo
Joseph K gave it a10: I'm not surprised at how mixed the reviews are for The God Delusion. Both critics and readers are going to be quite divided and I am no exception. Being an atheist I loved loved loved everything about this book. I wish I could rate it higher than 10.
Matt R gave it a10: I bet Dawkins would get a kick out of the negative reviews, all of which use the same hollow quasi-logic that he skewers in his book. "Scientists shouldn't speak outside of their field" is perhaps the funniest (and saddest) argument that I have ever heard. You want us to believe in some transcendent man-in-the-sky but not ask questions about it? Sounds like Kool-Aid to me!
Daniel H gave it a9: I think the only reason this book was not a 9 or 10 is because so many people are brain washed into believing in their religion so strongly, they cannot open their eyes and ears to anything new or exciting, if it's not in their book of ancient primitive rules and stone age bed time stories meant for children that have been taken literally by misguided uneducated adults, still today.
Ivan C gave it a10: Great book. Witty and with very intelligent remarks. I have jut finished it but I want to read it again.
Jon P gave it a10: This book is truely inspirational as Dawkins writes from the objective standpoint and uses rationality and logic to advocate athiesm. Yes, he is fanatical, but this is necessary from someone with such an in-depth knowledge of evolution as over the centuries right up until modern-day, religion has been devisive and pejorative. I look forward to further revisions Dawkins will write.
Jonathan G gave it a4: I'm always kind of disappointed when scientists speak outside their field. At least Feynman prefaced his 'The Meaning of it all' with a speech warning folks that as he progressed he would be speaking with less and less authority. This book contains a number of irrational arguments which is surprising considering who is speaking and what he is attempting to dissuade people from. In many cases Dawkins argues in a way that wouldn't convince a first year philosophy student let alone someone who is religious and the very fact that you could take some of his arguments about what was done 'in the name of religion' and replace it with 'in the name of love' and argue that therefore people should stop loving will hopefully tell the rest that there isn't much new or worth listening to here - unless you're the choir and he is your minister. As I said - sad especially for someone who appears (from a few searches) to have stopped having articles published in journals (not counting book reviews) about a decade ago.
Travis S gave it a5: Well thought out, for being written by an atheist. I encourage people who read this book to also read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. It presents an argument from the opposing point of view of a Christian, while providing factual evidence for the existence of God.
RM gave it a6: Its funny how my attitudes have changed about religion over the years. A while ago I was an athiest and believed those converters on the streets were stupid. As time went on and I thought about it, I realised this was a very ignorant view and by ranting about religion, I was simply doing what converters were doing, trying to convince people in what I believe in. I am an athiest, but if people find comfort in religion, then that's great. Here Richard Dawkins ironically tries to convert his readers to athiesm. Its just a shame that the only people who read this book are already athiests. It was a fairly interesting book with some convincing arguments to dispute over. But once again, the underlying snobbery behind outspoken athiests like this makes me want to convert to a religion just to annoy them. At least with the Jehova's Witnesses on the streets, as silly as their views may seem to some, have good intentions at heart when they try to persuade you to see differently. Richard Dawkins is more keen to show off his intelletual snobbery.
Bernt R gave it a10: An important book, hopefully written early enough to save America from degenerating into a priestocracy. Let's keep the world rational, the day a US President prays to a God to find a solution to a human problem is the day the era of enlightenment ends and we'll be no better off than under Iranian Ayatollahs.
Mike C gave it a10: This is not so much a book in favor of atheism or agnosticism but a book in favor of HUMAN KIND and leaving that which has time and time again tried to hold mankind back. Religion is the worst totalitarian government and has caused the deaths of more than even hitler. Infact its fair to say that Hitler was one of a god's disciples.
Henry T-R gave it a9: A great book that really shows his passion and extensive experience at arguing this point. At first I found the combative nature of the book a bit off-putting, but soon he pulled me in and the writing held me as few other non-fiction books have. The writing was strong, but also allowed room for thinking. I liked it, I was already an agnostic/atheist, but it was still a good read.
Laurence C gave it a10: Great book. It shows that atheism can be a freeing source of optimism and hope, not existential doom that is often its connotation.
David H gave it an8: Seeks to convince believers in God, that there is no justification for that belief. Thorough, forthright and convincing.
Jim M gave it a10: An excellent, to the point, accessible to the masses, blow to the religious mythologies that still cling to a sky god who isn't there. Dawkins is a scientist (biologist) not a philosopher, so while he doesn't go as deep into the philosophical refutations of Christianity and theism, he does an excellent job of summarizing that material, while going for the jungular on what he knows more about--science. It is pretty easy to refute religious fundamentalism, which is totally irrational, but it is a little more tricky to take down the "moderate/liberal" theists who complain that Dawkins does not know much about "theology." He doesn't have to! If "God" does not exist, what is the purpose of debating the philosophical myths about a being that does not exist! Theology is a waste of time, and is itself an irrational attempt to salvage what little is left of the Judeo-Muslim-Christian sky god myth. Also check out Sam Harris's THE END OF FAITH, and the smaller, to the point, LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION.
Jontom K gave it a10: I listened to this book through an audiobook, and was highly impressed. This man's well thought, well planned, meticulous, and systematic dismantling of religion as a plausibility has left me refreshed, invigorated, and relieved to know that I am not the only one who feels this way. I have seen some reviews that loiter around hogwash when they attempt to pick apart his writings, and motives for doing so. The claims that he is writing a book of intolerance is clearly because the scriptures of all three monotheistic religions already picked the fight with us to begin with. It is time to push back! Not with violence, as they have done for centuries, but with Logic and Reason. This book is a must for any atheist of any flavor. Agnostics to full blown Atheists.The religiously devout are likely to not be intelligent enough to comprehend it though.
Pat S. gave it a4: A lot of these atheists who publish books don't know very much about theology. These people are usually very clever professors but cannot realise the childish nature of the 'Us vs. Them' approach they take to tackling the illusionary God vs Science "issue." I guess they just feel provoked by fundamentalists and feel they need to respond by launching these sort of attacks on things they know very little about. Stick to what you know.
Dave K gave it a5: In a way this book reminds me of much of the Christian apologetics literature I've read. Where the author is effectively preaching to the converted and makes no effort to avoid alienating those with different beliefs. Some of his arguments are quite good, if unoriginal, but stating that those who disagree are stupid is not likely to convince them. I think he has done a lot to educate people when it comes to science, especially the theory of evolution. Look at the number of people who buy into Creationism and think that it's actually science, rather than pseudo-scientific nonsense on the same level as flat-Earth theory. Anything that encourages people to be skeptical and think for themselves is a good thing. Unfortunately his attacks on religion itself are highly flawed. They may make atheists feel better about themselves, but they aren't likely to get a believer to reconsider their beliefs. Any more than a badly flawed Christian apologetics book like C S Lewis' Mere Christianity will convince a non-believer.
Robert H gave it a9: Richard Dawkins has once again shown quite eloquently why religion and faith are destructive and uneccesary. Hopefully we can all move in the right direction in the future.
Chris B gave it a10: Great book. It shows that atheism can be a freeing source of optimism and hope, not existential doom that is often its connotation.
Paul B gave it a10: Excellent! This is what we have been looking for!
Hinkus M gave it a0: The man writes that when a dog wags it tail, it's because of "the ancient fish wriggle. And he's calling others delusional? Yeah -- whatever. Hinkus
Seth R gave it a10: A healthy dose of common sense.
msf ferrell gave it an8: Dawkins is right on in his criticisms of religion. Could have done a more thorough research on those areas outside his field, in particular philosopy.
Patrick W gave it a2: Everyone should be wary and distrust a fanatic. Anyone who steps into a argument so decided you should ignore on principle. He is an extremly good and eloquent scientist but a terrible philosopher and an utterly illterate theologion. He completly fails to recongnise the complexity and merrits of religious belief. He is yet again like the suicide bombers he denounces taking parts of a religious scripture out of context to prove somthing he already belives. If a Theist was so lazy in thought and fanatical in belief they would be labled derranged. It is not his conclusions that offend me but the poor construction and lack of ballance in his argument. It gets 2 for being important in its status as the first true scripture of the fanatical atheist
Devin gave it a10: The truth of mortality seems to generate despair in some. The idea of surviving alone as a race of evolved creatures upon a pale blue dot doesn't suffice in the minds of the majority, and so I should suspect that a book which advocates the truth (such as this one) would polarize both critics and readers. I, however, find Dawkins' words an inspiring and heartfelt plea to humanity - to wake up to the beauty and wonder of the universe, and to end the division of peoples by disagreements over the details of a fictional "creator."
ali c gave it a10: Spot on. Atheists rule!
Josh H gave it a0: obviously an angry, bitter man who only bases his exploits upon the extremist evangelicals instead of those whose daily findings support the idea of creation: creation scientists.
Ken M gave it a10: This book is passionate, witty and right. I fear it will do nothing to change the minds of those deeply immersed in their delusions, but if it helps even a few waverers break free, then it will have performed a valuable service.
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