Belief or Nonbelief?

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Summary: The Best of Christianity and the Best of Humanism
Review: A short work in which two persons from vastly different spiritual perspectives find it possible to have dialogue. My admiration of both perspectives increased as a result of this book.

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Summary: promises more than it delivers
Review: Eco is just about my favorite writer in the world, so anything he writes is of interest to me, including this slim (SLIM) volume. However, there is less debate than the cover and jacket promise-- Eco and the Cardinal present a few interesting views, but there is little actual dialogue of thought going on here. The two are too respectful of one another! Anyway, worth reading, but not necessarily worth the cover price.

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Summary: Well-reasoned, civil dialogue
Review: I loved this little book. Eco is one of my heroes, and I knew of Martini's reputation, since there's been much speculation that he is one of the favorites to become the next Pope.

What I liked most about the dialogue is that the two men clearly present their views and fully address the other's questions, without breaking down into the type of sensationalistic diatribe that passes for debate in the United States. Eco and Martini show respect for each other and each other's views, while clearly making a case for their own beliefs.

My sole complaint is that of several other reviewers - the book was too short. I would have enjoyed more Q&A from Eco and Martini. The reactions of other intellectuals that were apparently included in the Italian and Spanish versions would have also been interesting reading.

This book is well worth a purchase.

Rating:
Summary: A Confrontation Indeed
Review: In a time when academia and scholarly religion seems terribly at odds with the living Catholic faith, two men open a dialogue which is indeed a confrontation. They confront however, not each other, but the issues of apocalyptic perspective, abortion, women in the Church, violence and much more. These two men recognize these issues not as polemics to be tossed back and forth for endless bantering, but as fundamental to outlining a definition of "humanity." Both men are scholars and people of faith, aware of the cultural and social millieu around them. Although the paperback version claims "A Dialogue" it is most definitely a confrontation that forces the reader to make some decisions or at least consider issues that are all to easily relegated to consideration in a distant sphere rather than our hearts.

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Summary: a beautiful book to comfort us all
Review: In these beautifully crafted, philosophical yet clear letters, Cardinal Martini and Umberto Eco discuss the questions that have been raised by many peoples in many lands and in many cultures since philosophy began. They exchange views on the secular expectation of the apocalypse and our resultant consumer culture; on women in the church; on when life begins; and on how a secular man can ground his ethics.

The thorough Jesuit education these great minds received is as evident as their deep humanity. And, while a student of philosophy and ethics will no doubt be entranced by the clear and logical arguments Eco and Martini present, a less philosophically inclined mind may find comfort.

For in the end, Martini and Eco reassure us that, no matter whether you are secular or religious; no matter what your culture, there are universal values that are common to us all. It is a message well worth hearing in this relativistic and politically correct world.

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Summary: Good but short
Review: My main problem with this book is its size. I wish the two men had exchanged more letters! The book will not convince anyone to be a believer or non-believer; that is not its purpose. What it does do is provide a model for a respectful dialogue on fascinating, controversial, and difficult subjects. I think that this book is best seen as a model, and as a starting point for the reader's own thoughts and further study.

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Summary: No Confrontation at all
Review: The book is good. But the reactions of a variety of intellectuals in the SECOND HALF of the non english versions are as enjoyable. Why were they left aside in this translation? The whole purpose of the magazine that asked Martini and Eco to start a dialogue, was to open it. Why the trimming? Also, why was the title changed to a flashy style? The original could be better translated to "What do non believers believe in" or else. I can see other opinions on the book are produced by an incomplete translation or a misleading title.

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Summary: AtheistWorld.Com Book Review
Review: This is no contest between debating opponents seeking to score rhetorical knockouts; instead, it's just two thoughtful people who respectfully listen to what the other has to say about faith. The nonbeliever is Eco, renowned semiotician and author of The Name of the Rose. The believer is the Archbishop of Milan. In these letters, originally run in an Italian newspaper, they address topics that divide official Catholic from contemporary secular opinion. First, the cardinal answers Eco's inquiries on hope and apocalyptic expectation, on when life begins, and on why the Church does not ordain women. There are no surprises here, except perhaps in Martini's nuanced "wait and see" response to the last question. Then, in the book's best exchange, Eco replies to the cardinal's question of how those who do not believe in God can be committed to moral absolutes. Would that all "confrontations" between belief and unbelief were so informed and instructive. Recommended for all public libraries.