I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

THE BOOK: I am an agnostic who is looking for something to believe in. I have searched for years now, and generally am met with lukewarm explanations and radical fundamentalism from both camps. I am not self-righteous or pig-headed enough to categorically dismiss atheist or religious arguments simply because their tone bothered me, but it does get tiresome to be on the receiving end of what is usually more bitterness and dogmatic posturing than any kind of intelligent thought or reason. Again, I'm talking about atheists as well as religious zealots. Which is why I enjoyed this book so much. This is a concise, well-crafted, thoughtful and thought-provoking piece of work. There is real insight to be gleaned from the pages, and although the sum total isn't what any open-minded person would call 100% convincing, it definitely gets much closer than anything else I've discovered. There is much talk about this book setting up straw men to be knocked down, and although the book does do that on a few occasions, it is by no means what the ultimate premise is based on. In fact, although there were some sketchy arguments and hastily covered bases, and although there were explanations missing and topics omitted, I still felt, on the whole, that it was one of the more successful books I've read from either camp. The tone (while every once in a while devolving into brief moments of snideness and cockiness) is generally quite intelligent and emotionally removed. There is little here that is bullying or smug, and for that I was grateful. It leant the text, with its vast array of debates and discussions, a snappy and no-nonsense delivery that helped elucidate the more hazily understood, philosophical explanations. Although, in the end, I wasn't entirely convinced by the book, I was pushed much closer to being convinced than I have yet by any book, religious, atheistic, or otherwise. THE CRITICS: In the course of my research, I read the reviews and the comments made by consumers on Amazon.com in order to determine how best to spend my money. I don't want to buy an atheist or christian apologetic book if what I'm going to get is watered down theories and trite cliches. At this point, I think it would be appropriate to point out that this is, in fact, a forum for discussing the merits of the product, and not the merits of the beliefs or arguments espoused within. I understand that it's hard to remove the deeper values of the work from the work itself, but it can be done. So, if, for instance, if you are an honest consumer, you can point out the cinematic brilliance of films like the Last Temptation of Christ in spite of what that film may or may not say about the religion you may or may not adhere to. I was dismayed by how many inflammatory and rather pointless criticisms I found for this book. I'd never read it, but I could tell by the tone and stance of the reviews that they were reacting more out of indignation toward the subject matter than out of any knowledge of the text itself. One reviewer scorned the book for being written by David Limbaugh, when the man only wrote the forward. Another person decried the book for being "all about politics," when, as far as I could tell, there wasn't a word about politics, just beliefs or the lack of them. If you are a critic of christianity, that's fine. Trust me, I understand your point of view. But your clumsily summarized view points and your indignant rebuttals do little to enlighten people who may be interested in buying this book. There are forums in which you can openly discuss and debate these topics, but this is not one of them. This is about saying whether or not the book is worth buying. Instead of doing that, most of you have instead attempted to explain your own beliefs, as if you want to write your own book in response to Christianity, but can't be bothered. For someone such as myself, looking for intelligent and candid help with the question of Larger Purposes (or their absence), your poorly worded rants and emotional appeals -- especially those of you wearing your rage on your sleeve -- do nothing to help me. For future reference, if you really want to help someone like me understand your points of view, instead of typing out some sloppy summation or more key-worded dismissals (argument from ignorance! straw men!), perhaps you could actually RECOMMEND A DIFFERENT BOOK. I am always on the lookout for some way to increase my knowledge of the world, and my knowledge of what that world may do to better explain the validity or non-validity of any religion. Unlike many of you, though, I haven't been convinced yet, either way. I read your reviews in the hopes that you may be able to point me down the same path that led to your own enlightenment of absolute certainty, but all most of you did was make vacuous complaints about the book and then insult people who might actually believe or buy it. So, if you've come online to write a scathing review or to tear apart the praisers of this book, go right ahead. But keep in mind that your own viewpoints -- as right or wrong as they might be -- are less welcome than your criticisms of the actual book in question. And if you DO think you've got it all figured out, and if you DON'T think this book does, you could at least try to share that knowledge by pointing someone like me in the right direction, and by doing that without the same snobbish condecension that you sometimes find in the relgious believers whom you so adamantly decry.

On the first page of the forward of this book (written by David Limbaugh), it says: "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" is the single best book I've seen to prepare believers to give reasons for their faith and for skeptics open to the truth". Those last 6 words, I think are important. Many atheists have already made up their minds, and no amount of convincing short of Jesus Christ himself standing before them will convince them otherwise. I often wonder why those that fall into this camp spend so much time reading books about a God they are so dead set against believing in. If you are one of those that fall into this camp, then this book is not for you. If on the other you are perhaps a non-believer, non-Christian, unsure, or a Christian that is seeking to understand with an open mind, then I highly recommend this book. I am a Christian and enjoy reading books on Christian Apologetics (from the Greek "apologia" - speaking in defense) which is the topic of this book. This book, while not being a deep-dish into the subject of Christian Apologetics, I think does an excellent job of hitting all of the key elements of the subject while at the same time presents the subject in an "easy to digest", logical format. Turek & Geisler take a very methodical, stepwise approach to the subjects ranging from religious worldviews, Cosmology, Intelligent Design, evolution, the beginnings of the universe, object moral values. I found Turek & Geisler's case to be both compelling and convincing. (again, given consideration to my opening statements). This is not a book heavy on Christian doctrine; this is not a book about religion, and most importantly, this is not some heavy-handed attempt to indoctrinate, kicking and screaming, the unwilling. This is a highly intelligent, well thought out explanation of what Christians believe and why they believe it. If you are a Christian looking to share your faith but unsure how to go about it, how to answer the sometimes difficult questions non-believers often ask, I HIGHLY recommend that you read this book and keep it as a reference in your Apologetics toolbox so that you can "be prepared to offer a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do so with gentleness and respect." 1 Timothy 3:15

This is a great book and very well done. I think it’s appropriate for believers and non believers to read this book. It will strengthen your ability to defend your faith and give a non believer the actual facts of what we have for the Bible. It’s kind of long but actually reads pretty fast. The two writers mesh really well together. I like that it proves God exists without the bible and with the bible along with scientific evidence. The conclusion was so GOOD! It’s also a book you can refer to time after time when people ask you certain questions about Christianity in addition the graphs and charts are an awesome tool in this book, again for future reference and clear explanations. Its one of those books you can get a lot of new reading material to read from it with their references to all types of books and writings.

Goed leesbaar boek dat op een systematische, eerlijke en, soms, humoreske manier belangrijke thema's rondom God, geloof en creatie/evolutie beschrijft.

Il libro è arrivato il giorno dopo l'ordine e ho subito iniziato a leggerlo, libro illuminante che d'ha spiegazioni logiche e intelligenti alla fede Cristiana. Purtroppo la chiesa Cattolica continua a dire: "Misteri della fede" invece la fede è certezza di quello che si crede no misteri. Grazie agli autori per il lavoro svolto.

As a Catholic reader - an overall fantastic book. It was much much better than what I could have imagined. I could not believe how easily the atheistic and materialistic philosophies were so convincingly despatched with. The scientific evidences were enthralling. Out of some 444 pages there is only one small thing. In some ways it isn't negative as it highlights how beautiful the Catholic Faith is. The only thing is that there is difference when it comes to miracles. The book assigns miracles to the apostolic era. For Catholics miracles and healings occur all the time, whether from the intercession of the Saints, or directly from Christ Himself. In the lives of the saints you see saints like St Francis Xavier and St Vincent Ferrer rising so many people from the dead and other fantastic miracles. This issue aside - the book is fantastic and very faith affirming. I didn't buy it to look at the historical evidence for Christ and the Gospels and wasn't going to look read those section at but I am so glad I did. It was really incredible the level of factual detail and historical evidence that was put forward. I would say if you are drawn to this work - just do it. You will not be disappointed.

I've only begun & this book is jam-packed with logical reasoning & argumentation presented in a clear, digestible way. I'm very pleased so far. Small print, lots to get through. Very thorough discussion.

Really good read, I was extremely skeptical, but lots of my questions have been answered by well thought out and evidenced arguments. It is written very simply and in a manner that's easy to read and follow, not at all preachy. I'm reading it as extra reading for degree to assist with critical thinking and not because I was particularly bothered by the subject matter. I now feel quite well informed on the subject and would feel confident in a debate. For people that already believe its a chance to get affirmation and some tips for answering questions you may face, for non believers, you may find some questions answered and possibly even be steered towards further investigations..