The End of Faith

Written by:
Sam Harris
Narrated by:
Brian Emerson

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
22
Narrator
7
Release Date
December 2007
Duration
9 hours 30 minutes
Summary
An impassioned plea for reason in a world divided by faith. This important and timely work delivers a startling analysis of the clash of faith and reason in today's world. Harris offers a vivid historical tour of mankind's willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs, even when those beliefs are used to justify harmful behavior and sometimes heinous crimes. He asserts that in the shadow of weapons of mass destruction, the world can no longer tolerate views that pit one true god against another. Most controversially, he argues that we cannot afford moderate lip service to religion -- an accommodation that only blinds us to the real perils of fundamentalism. While warning against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics, Harris also draws on new evidence from neuroscience and insights from philosophy to explore spirituality as a biological, brain-based need. He calls on us to invoke that need in taking a secular humanistic approach to solving the problems of this world.
Reviews
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Joseph Noonan

This book is less than objective. It beats the old drum that wars are caused by religion. While Fundamentalist Islam dominates several aggressive countries in our day, the history of serious wars and conflict simply does not justify this claim and never has. In the last two centuries (1800-2000) the most horrendous wars in human history took place, while millions were slaughtered by Communists in the Soviet Union, China and the Pacific rim. NOT ONE of these wars or murderous aggressions against innocent citizens were caused by Religion. Korea? Vietnam? WWI? WWII? Spanish Revolution? Sino-Japanese (I & II)? Communism? Nazi Germany? And don't forget the bloodiest war in American history: our Civil War. NONE were caused by Religion. Any weak kneed argument to paint these wars as being caused by religion is laughable and evidence of extremely poor scholarship. Do not envelope Fundamentalist Islam with the rest of Islam or with the rest of other major or minor religions. Spend your time elsewhere, this book offers little that will help you make a good argument for or against faith or religion. Using some of his arguments in conversation with someone who has studied and is knowledgeable about religion history and theology will cause you embarrassment and unnecessary frustration.

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Jassen

Sam Harris is simply stunning. A must read for anyone interested in religion. Terrific non-fiction work. Other works by Sam Harris, namely "Lying" and "Free Will" are well worth your time.

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Derek D.

Very good book. It’s not the way I thought he was going with it but I’m happy for the twist. That’s all I can say without giving it away. SAM READ YOUR OWN BOOKS MAN. The narrator was excellent but I love hearing the conviction in the author’s voice. Hitchens spoiled me. 5 STARS

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