Product Description

'Here is the point about myself and my co-thinkers. Our belief
is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not hold our
convictions dogmatically. We believe with certainty that an ethical life
can be lived without religion. And we know for a fact that the corollary
holds true - that religion has caused innumerable people not just to
conduct themselves no beter than others, but to award themselves permission
to behave in ways that would make a brothel-keeper or an ethnic cleanser
raise an eyebrow.' From the introduction to God Is Not Great.

In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian,
Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. In a series
of acute readings of the major religious texts, he demonstrates the ways in
which religion is man-made, dangerously sexually repressive and distorts
the very origins of the cosmos. With robust clarity, Hitchens frames the
argument for a more secular life based on science and reason, in which hell
is replaced by the Hubble Telescope's awesome view of the universe and
Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty and symmetry of the
double helix.

God is Not Great marvels at the possibility of society without religion,
arguing that the concept of an omniscient God has profoundly damaged
humanity. Hitchens proposes instead that the world might be a great deal
better off without `him'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7944 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-10
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review
'A serious and deeply felt book, totally consistent with his
beliefs of a lifetime. And God should be flattered: unlike most of those
clamoring for his attention, Hitchens treats him like an adult.'

Esquire US
'Thank God for Christopher Hitchens. For he has written the finest
of the down-with-God books.'

Johann Hari, The Independent
Dazzling... It shows Hitchens can still intellectually get it up, and
how...

Customer Reviews

Very disappointing.
As with Dawkins' 'The God Delusion', I read this book extremely thoroughly to see what all the fuss was about, but was again extremely disappointed inasmuch as all of the arguments are subject to powerful and long standing, well established counter-arguments. For a far more challenging read, which does not, incidentally, set out to destroy anyone's belief in God, but ends up making any thinking believer examine their beliefs very carefully, I recommend Dr Peter Vardy's (a lecturer in Philosophy of Religion) 'The Puzzle Of God.'

Have you really read the book?
It is obvious from many of the comments ie: by those who have given the book 1 & 2 stars, these reviewers have not actually read the book! If they had, they would have criticised it more specifically. Instead they simply rant against Mr Hitchins. What are they afraid of? That they find it such a threat should be reason enough to encourage anyone thinking about buying the book to go ahead and find out what it is that he says that worries them so much! I guarantee you won't regret reading it.

Brilliantly written and researched. The book simply lays bare the contradictions in each of the faiths and their supporting literature - allowing you to draw your own conclusions.

I would recommend believers of every faith to read this book - because if you do, and reach the end - with your beliefs still intact, then you have truly proven that your mind is unshakable and you will be a credit to your fellow followers! Hey, what a challenge!!

I have just finished listening to the unabridged audio version of the book (highly recommended) and consider it ting important enough to want to now also own a hardback copy for my personal library.

I strongly suggest everyone read this book - believers and non-believers. 10/10 Mr Hitchins!

Do we revive or not?
After reading the book and having being brought up in a church going family I would think that if it prompts more of the regilious zealots out there to have cardiac arrests then hence my title. I found that at least it makes religion quite clearly a man made thing and as such it would be flawed as each interpretation and revision would bring each bigots extremism to the fore. I would not dare impose my own views above anyone's else however it does show that those who have faith are blind, if not only for their rants we would think them at some form of mental health risk. Well an open mind I believe is one way for humanity to move forward from the old school of fire and brimstone rhetorics which the faiths have promulgated. I agree that the 'church/faiths' 'money/self' interest had actively through fear maintained their stranglehold of the 'ignorant' philosophy and humanism must be promoted. So if the old faiths believe that self choice is important to complete the credo then let all read this type of book before coming to a false conculsion.