Comments on: Book review: Irreligion by John Allen Paulos

By: Chuck Warnock

Chuck Warnock — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:41:12 +0000

Ben Z, I didn’t delete your comment. Looks like you have three comments on my screen. The one you’re referring to may be the last one. Don’t know why, but I think it’s there. -Chuck

By: Ben Z

Ben Z — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:34:43 +0000

Oops, I had posted before under a different thread. My bad on that point.

By: Ben Z

Ben Z — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:58:26 +0000

I mean, with statements like “Salient too should be the fact that religions make all sorts of claims — biological, historical and cosmological — that are sanctioned by theology, yet are simply and egregiously false” (I’d agree that a lot of religions do this; presumably he includes Christianity here, on which I am agnostic… still actually trying to figure it all out) you’d assume he could back this up?

With what? He’s a mathematician…when there are plenty of physicists/chemists who are Christian or simply religious with no problem. Stephen M Barr? Henry F. Schaefer III? Francis Collins (granted, his new book is lacking), John Polkinghorne, and these are only those who write books on the subject, defending their views.

Where’s NT Wright, Ben Witherington, Bruce Metzger, William Craig, James Moreland? Where’s Ehrman, Crossan, Mackie, Nielson?

If you think there’s ONE objection to religion in this book that hasn’t been made before (heck, orisn’t popularly known about)please let me know.

By: Ben Z

Ben Z — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:40:53 +0000

So what is a good reason to buy this book if we’ve read, well, anything beyond the worst apologetic for theism or atheism? You deleted my last post which tried to tease out this question. I was a fan of all his other books, especially Innumeracy.

By: Chuck Warnock

Chuck Warnock — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:10:54 +0000

TeacherNinja, thanks for your comments. Haven’t read Baggini’s book, but sounds interesting. Thanks for checking in from time to time. I try to understand what others who do not agree with me are thinking. Looks like you do the same. Look forward to continuing the conversation with you. — Chuck

By: teacherninja

teacherninja — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:35:04 +0000

Wow. I was led here from a link at Skepchick where they’re doing a book club of Irreligion. As an atheist I was wrongly expecting another laughable rant about the so called “New Atheists” whatever that means or even “militant” atheists (have any atheists blown up anything lately?) and was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful well-written review I’ve found here.

Ironically, I am not a big reader of these atheist books but your review makes me want to read this one by Mr. Paulos. Jullian Baggini’s Atheism: A Very Short Introduction has been the most positive and well-written one I’ve read so far. I’d be interested to read your thoughts on that one and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on your blog.

Thank you.

By: Chuck Warnock

Chuck Warnock — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:44:57 +0000

John, you’re on! Not sure when, but I’d love to chat about your book and your thoughts. The review posted is well-deserved because you made me think, and smile occasionally, too. Any book that does both needs to be read. — Chuck

By: J.A. Paulos

J.A. Paulos — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:25:55 +0000

Chuck Warnock, you are a kind, generous, and gracious gentleman. I’m impressed that you have reviewed Irreligion and floored that you have given it something of a rave. I agree that I should have taken more pains to avoid sweeping generalizations about religious people. You and I’m sure many others certainly aren’t described by them. If you’re ever in Philadelphia and have a little time, let me know beforehand. Dinner’s on me, and we can discuss these issues and our similar and different ideas about them in a leisurely and friendly way.
Best, John Allen Paulos