Has anyone read the book: "The End of Faith" by sam Harris?
396193
No, but he seems like an intelligent man.  It's one of those books that I may read sometime, but I already mostly agree with what he said in the interview on the Colbert Report, so reading it would be purely to see what kind of reasoning he uses.
325937
i have read it...it is totally awesome!!! it is so sad tho because he has to fight or food and what not. if you are interested in that book, there is a sequel called "the lost boy" that is soooooo good.
863036
I have been studying the course for 8 years. I have been through the book 5 times and I never saw your quote anywhere in the book.  \n\nIt seems as though you are trying to paraphrase, but you did not understand the concept and came up with a misconception.\n\nThe course is not saying that your life is not real. In fact it says just the opposite. What it is saying is that you create your own reality with the thoughts that you think.\n\nYour dream of terror pain and suffering is the result of the way you choose to look at the world.  This works the way it does because God gives us what ever we want. \n\nIf we want something different we need to change our mind about the world we see around us. \n\nWhen we do God gives us that new world instead. \n\nEach of us gives the world all the meaning that it has for us.\n\n I don't see the world as scary or evil. I see a peaceful and loving world. \n\nIf you would like to discuss this feel free to email.\n\nlove and blessings Don
211020
There is a whole book on that subject.\nThe jist of it is that charity and love are required of Christians, not condemnation and hate.\n God's Politics (English)\n(Why The Right Gets It Wrong And The Left Doesn't Get It - ISBN: 0060558288)\nPrice range: $9.68 - $20.76 from 15 Sellers\n\nPublisher: Harpercollins\n\nFormat: Hardcover\n\nMSRP: $ 25.95\n\nSynopsis: In this call for a faith-based politics, evangelical Christian Jim Wallis excoriates both the left and the right in America for their mistaken positions on religion, a dispute which leaves the rest of us bereft and spiritually poorer. In his view, the left opts out by stubbornly refusing t... Read More
698472
Awesome! I read the whole thing, and I can't believe an American feels this way. I am a Muslim, and I have to say you hit the nail on the head! Too right. I didn't always believe what you said. I am also American, and noone wants to feel negative feelings about their country. We all want to love where we come from. Still, lately evidence of so much wrong-doing has surfaced on the part of our government, that I am forced to re-evaluate things. I have studied Islam extensively for thirteen years, and it is a beautiful religion. There's no such thing as racism in Islam. We believe all races are equal. The only religion I've seen so much racism in is Christianity. And I used to be a Christian, so I hope nobody here thinks I am against Christianity. I'm not. True Christianity is beautiful, however, hardly anyone practices it in its pure form any more. And racism? Oh, yeah. Talk about racism. It's so engrained in their heads through their own bible, the book they study and memorize so much that it becomes a part of them, like another leg or body part. It is a racist book. There are no Arab prophets in the bible. Does that make sense? No. There were Arab prophets, black prophets, any number of different nationalities of prophets in history. The people who re-wrote and re-translated the bible took them out upon translating and interpreting them! Yes, that's right. They took them out because they were racists. They wanted the bible to be a white bred book only, and they wanted America to never have any citizens become presidents or have positions of power who were not white. That is why we see there are 350,000 members of this ONE organization. Just one. And how many others are there? Don't think the government is not backing this up. They love it. Christianity is not Christianity any more. Even the Christians who are practicing Christianity are usually pretty racist without even knowing. They don't even know the bible is subliminal. The racism in it enters their sub-conscious so much, that they don't even realize. So what is the biggest threat to this racist idea? Islam. It stands for everything they are against. Unity of all races and nationalities. It stands for peace. That's why they lie about Muslims being terrorists. We are not terrorists. They are the real terrorists, and I'm not referring to Christians, here. I'm referring to our government, which has infiltrated Christianity with so much hatred of races other than lily white. I know a lot of people are going to be pissed at me for saying all this, but it is true. You've been lied to, people.
519025
Hum interesting. It's odd to see it portrayed in a South Park kind of way. \n\nIt hits a few points right--but it is mostly inaccurate. Here are just some of the points that are twisted:\n\nFor one, it makes it seem as though all the people accepted Joseph Smith or at least didn't make too big of a deal about it. Far from the truth. The far majority of the locals thought Joseph to be crazy and many even came out strongly against. As he further organized the LDS church, they were even further persecuted. Joseph Smith was eventually martyred because of people's hatred of him and other Mormons. \n\nIt depicts that Joseph Smith translated the entire Book of Mormon using seer stones in a hat. That simply isn't the case. There are a few accounts (that are hard to even verify) that he in perhaps one or two cases translated with the aid of seer stones without the presence of the actual plates. All other accounts specify that the plates were in front of him. \n\nIt depicts that Martin Harris never saw the Gold Plates. In fact, he was one of the witnesses to it's existence. \n\nIt suggests that Martin Harris agreed with his wife in taking some of the pages to test Joseph Smith. Martin Harris's own account refutes this, further there is no clear evidence that of his wife's sole involvement. It is thought that others that were trying to expose Joseph Smith were involved.\n\nIt suggests that Joseph Smith made up the entire account while looking into a hat. Even anti-Mormons are having trouble explaining how it would be possible for Joseph Smith to recite such a complicated account simply from memory.\n\nSo all in all--it isn't very accurate. It left out any details that lend to the credibility of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. But it did get one thing right--the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith are vital to the LDS faith. It just left out the true depth of the BoM and Joseph Smith.
987504
I read it and found it very good.  I have been studying the Gnostic scriptures for quite a while now.
1067510
It is very sad. Anyone who does a good amount of reading on ethics will know better. Christians tend to not read good books. They just accept the beliefs they were raised with and stick to them out of loyalty, fear, and familiarity. A lot of people don't like to think that what their parents taught them was wrong. A lot of people also have a very hard time dealing with mortality without a belief in a Heaven and benevolent god waiting for them. The truth is, we really just do not know what happens. There could be a deeper purpose to our being here. There could of been an intelligence behind what is. I would never say there definitely is or is not. On the same token though I can see the works or man from a mile away. The Bible wreaks of man, and all his fears. It's far too obvious that a god had nothing to do with what's in that book. I can can spot it just like I can spot the hand writing of a three year old. It's a shame others have such a hard time seeing this. I think this goes beyond their intelligence or lack thereof. It comes from a much deeper emotional issue. To lose faith in God would be akin to losing meaning to everything and that would leave them horribly broken and lost. It's too bad they can't see the other alternatives. One can lead a very spiritual life without placing belief in ridiculous claims.
607230
yea i read them a while ago and thought they were interesting.his book"what god wants" is also good,because the answer he gives which is "nothing" is true.how could god want anything-god is complete already.\nif you found those books interesting you would probably like eckhart tolle's books too."the power of now "and his latest one "a new earth."
1037710
I read the book and to me it's a fiction book. I read it as i would read any other suspense fiction book. It has great plot and keeps you guessing till the end. I know many people are out there saying that they will not go see the movie or that the movie should be banned. But look at it this way, I admire the director of the movie for having enough courage to make a movie of book that will dissappoint many christians. I say that everybody should once go and watch the movie or read the book. \n\nTo all my christians: I am a christian and I read the book and I am planning to go watch the movie. Even after reading the book, I still have faith in my god and I don't question Lord Jesus. I read it as though it was nothing more than a fictional treasure hunt novel. Only the treasure in the book was Holy Grail. And if you really are a true christian then you wouldn't be so upset with the movie or book because everybody has opinions and right to share them. It is up to you to believe. Will you let a novel or a movie make you question your faith. How do you know it was not god's will to have a movie like this made and see how many people actually believed in him even after watching such a movie. I don't understand why people don't want to know what a person has to say about their faith. After all, all that matters is whether do you believe in God or not?!? Don't let a movie make you question your faith although go and see what they have to say about it.
274838
I have the book.  I've read the book.  It is non-fiction.  It is a book about serious spiritual warfare.  I have no reason to disbelieve any of it.  I believe Rebecca's experiences are so "severe," because she had dabbled in the occult before she became a Christian.  In other words, she opened herself up to the troubles she has faced.\n\nI do not believe what you will read in this book will be a typical representation of what most Christians will face, spiritual-warfare-speaking, in their lifetimes.  But those who've been involved in witchcraft, the occult, etc. prior to becoming a Christian already have Satan's full attention.  And he does NOT like to lose a good servant.  So he tries to get them back any way he can.  Rebecca is one of those people.\n\nBe prepared for nightmares if you read the book.
1114559
I've read almost all of Orson Scott Card's books.  Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead are very good books.  However, he lost my interest when he created the duplicate Val and Peter at the end of Xenocide and the last bok in that series is pretty awful (not the writing, the story).   \nThe Philotic connections that allow instantaneous communication by ansible are an interesting theory.  It is nice to believe that we are all somehow connected by invisible threads but I seriously doubt that there is any scientific truth to it.
1013162
I've read the Book and parts of it are true.  Most good authors mingle fact and fiction.  It makes for a good read.  I've also read Digital Fortress, Deception Point, and Angels & Demons.  So when The DaVinci Code was issured, I was eager to read it, and I did 3 years ago.\n\nHe poses many good scenareos about how history may have been.  If you look back, most accepted history has been written by the dominant society of the time.  Other histories are destroyed along with the culture that lost.  A good example would be the Inqisition where people were tortured for not believing the way the Church said they should.  Take a look at what has happened to Scotland and Ireland when the British took over.\nAfganistan, Somalia, etc etc.  Only difference now is we have CNN and other news agencies looking in on things.   Why was the Library of Alexandria really burned down?\n\nBasically all Dan Brown has done is show us a different way to look at religion and it's history.\n\nI think this recent brouha over the book is fear that organized religion will lose it's influence and power.  Look at the religious uproar in Iraq.  The Sunnis and Sh'ite groups.  Everyone is right and everyone is wrong.\n\nRemember, it's just a book, a book of fiction in fact.  A really good read.
1084398
I believe that the DaVinci Code was a good book and nothing else.  What I think is really interesting is the fact that the church feels it needs to defend itself from this work of fiction.  Is the church so short of faith in its own institution that it believes a Tom Hanks movie can shake its very foundation.\n\nEvery religion is built on lies as a means to control the masses.  It is the most primitive, and resilient, form of government.  I wish the book had proven to be true, but I guess I'll just have to wait for the next scandal to get further entertainment.\n\nPray for the Revolution!
1173008
My friend, anyone considering ANY form of Christianity or worship of ANY Christ should do so only after reading the eye opening text The Hiram Key by Robert Lomas and Christopher Knight.  Their research into Masonic ritual has led them to uncover truths long kept secret by the Church for more than two thousand years.  The book is both frightening, and at the same time seems to be authentic.  It discusses the Illuminati (and NOT the Dan Brown Illuminati everyone seems to be so familiar with), Freemasonry, and their links to early Christianity; the origian teachings of Jesus Christ, before the Church decided what should be written.  The book is powerful, and revealing.  I reccomend it to anyone with an open mind who is seeking a high truth than whta is given to us by those who know nothing!\n\nAve,\nShawn
686951
Read the book with an open mind but also with caution.  I am sure that the book is not entirely worthless, although I have not read it.  I just read the synoposis and reviews on amazon.  However, I am familiar with books like this: Benedictine monks going on a spiritual journey, often making use of Buddhist and other Oriental thought.  \n\nIn my honest opinion, I believe that books like this reflect a great thirst in the West, even in long-standing churches, for genuine spirituality.  I think the amenities of popular culture as well as over-rationalization, among numerous other factors, have eliminated to a great extent a sense in Western culture of the sacred.  My advice: look into Orthodox Christianity, or perhaps at traditional Catholic spirituality.  Of course, if you're Protestant, this might be an issue with you, and if so I can't help you!
1120350
haven't read it yet.  but I'm currently reading "misquoting jesus" by bart ehrman, it's quite good.