Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: A little fragmented Review: This book is an anthology of writting by free thinkers. It is quite a long book of over four hundred pages but it consists of a very large number of short essays and pages of quotes. As a result rather than there being a narrative structre or an in depth explanation of issues there are lots of rapid fire points. If you have not come across this sort of material before it might be interesting. A lot of traditional free thinkers are quoted such as Ingersoll and Remsburg but the shortness of the quotes makes it hard to get the sense of the original work. A couple of the essays are very good such as one on sexual abuse in the church and independance from authority both by Anne Gaylor. In addition the discussion of the religious traditions around Krishna and Horus are interesting as the legends are similiar to that of Christ. However some of the things suggested about Krishna I checked on Hindu site and it was not entirely accurate. All in all quite an easy book to read and one that covers a lot of interesting material. However some of the essays were a bit flawed. To suggest that circumcision is catastrophe which religion has thrust on us is a little overdrawn. Some of the material on creationism is also a little shrill. However I found it a little disapointing perhaps because there is so much high quality material available on the nett.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: atheistic Review: I love the way fundamentalist Christians go on and on about how flawed and illogical this book is, without stating any proof that it is such. I also think it's hilarious that they assume that anything that disagrees with THEIR brand of religion is atheistic...it is not. In fact, it could be argued that the most intellectual stance is agnosticism...because we ultimately CANNOT know. Theism or Atheism takes a stance on something that can't be proven either way. However, I'm neither an atheist nor an agnostic...I'm a Pagan...I wonder what the Christians who think this is atheistic propaganda would say to that? Zoe =)
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Wow! Very Informative! Review: I found this book fascinating and incredibly informative. It filled in the gaps that my Christian mentors could not...or would not. I find that many of my Christian mentors fear information such as this and therefore would never want to read this book or accept the facts. This book and others like it that I have read have made me turn to the religion that all are based on....paganism (Wiccan). If you are the kind of person who cannot just accept what you are taught without facts to back it, then read this book.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Anything that Challenges Religious Dogma is Good! Review: Anything that gets skeptics and young people to question and challenge religion is an asset. This book makes logical arguments to prove its many interesting points. After this book, the more advanced thinkers might want to try the ultimate atheist manifesto "The Case Against God" by George Smith. For some, Smiths book might be over their heads so in that case "The book your church doesnt want you to read" and Especially, "Christianity Exposed" by Solomon Tulbure are indespensible in opening peoples eyes as to the corruption and evil that religion is made of.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Very informative Review: Raised as a rural southern, I have always felt that I should be a church-going member. It was part of my family and culture for my childhood. For the past 15 years or so, I'm 35 now, I've had questions that no one I've spoken with has been able to adequately answer. Things are much clearer after reading this book. It is very informative and factual. Frankly, I wasn't aware there were so many discrepancies in the bible. This book is too brief to address them all but does highlight some of the major ones. It also made me more aware of the need for Christians in the US to actually read the bible. Not just the good things that are spoken in church but the bible in its entirety. Christians should read this book above any other group. Not as an attempt to convert them to atheism but to put religion in a better perspective.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Important Book! Review: This book contains essays from some of the world's great thinkers regarding religion. It should be read by everyone. The naysayers are evidently vested in religion, which makes their reviews highly biased. Particuarly of interest in this book are the essays concerning the validity of the Bible - questioning the Bible definitely upsets some people, but it is absolutely necessary in this Age of Truth.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Flawed Logic Review: This book is am interestingly and amusingly blend of fact, myth and anecdote. But ultimately, when closely examined, the authors' arguments rest on the same logic as the arguments they are attempting to portray as illogical. If this book shakes yout faith in your religion, you probably did not have any real faith when you pick it up. Nevertheless, it is a fun little read.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Controversial Review: The only complaint I have with this book is that it wasn't detailed enough. This book gets into how the Christian religion is a mix of many ancient religions like Zoroaster, Buddhaism,Mithraism, Egyption, Indian, Babylonian, and Greek religions. Just one example is: Mithra was born of a virgin, with sheperds present, Mithra was known as The Way,The truth, The Light,The Son Of God, and born on 25th of December just like many other deities with the same story that predates the Christian story.Very interesting how the author links the Egyption god Horus and Jesus with many similarities between them, and links the Christian religion with the worship of the Sun going back to the time of the Egyptions, with Horus being the savior.December 25th is the Sun being born again a Roman celebration not originaly a Christian holiday as the author said was very interesting.This book was filled with interesting and controversial facts about religion that make you think, if you want too read a more detailed version of this book I recomend: The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold By Acharya S.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Defensive? Review: It's funny how the reviewers here will note that Christians who read the book will be defensive. Seems like they themselves are the ones spending alot of energy defending their non-Christian stance. Read all you want about how Christ is just a fairy tale, but if you really believe that, let's hope you are right beyond a shadow of a doubt. Eternity is a long, long time to be wrong!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Mostly garbage Review: This anthology is so mediocre it is painful to read. There are a few worthwhile articles, for example a few pages of Thomas Paine's Age of Reason. Still, I gave up reading it half way through, when I came to an article stating that a scientist had discovered that Jesus was a homosexual who baptized young disciples at night in some kind of erotic ceremony. More juicy details are suggested which are not apt to be published here ... Some more pearls: An article titled Astro-Theology ... claims that Christianity has been strongly influenced by sun worship. Fair enough, as a claim. What follows a long and rambling exposition of arguments with exclamation points aplenty but little sense. Here is one: "Since the Earth experiences four different seasons, all the same and equal (in time) each year, the round calendar was divided into four equal parts. This represented the complete story of the life of 'God's Sun.' The famous painting of The Last Supper pictures the 12 followers of the Son in four groups (of 3) ... the four seasons of the year!" So, the fact that there are four seasons and the fact that DaVinci painted the 12 apostles in four groups, somehow shows that Christianity has to do with Sun worship. Another bizarre argument states "[...] This is why we see the round circle of the Sun on the crosses of Christian churches. The next time you pass a Christian church, look for the circle (Sun) on the cross." Well, most churches I pass do not carry a circle on their crosses. We learn that the world has sixteen crucified saviors, ... over thousands of years and in distant lands . The trouble is that their stories are claimed to be so similar, that if true, would signify that something deeply miraculous is going on - the exact opposite of the writer's intention. For example it is stated that in Mexico "the incarnate God Quexalcote was born (about 300 B.C.) of a spotless virgin, by the name of Chimalman, and led a life of the deepest humility and piety; retired to a wilderness, fasted forty days, was worshipped as a God, and was finally crucified between two thieves; after which he was buried and descended to hell, but rose again the third day." I had check this out; there was a Mexican God by the name of Quetzalcoatl, who as the morning and evening star was the symbol of death and resurrection - nothing surprising in ancient religions. I read an article about him and only with the wildest imagination can any parallels to Christinanity be found. In this book we are simple duped. Even more amazing parallels are claimed to exist with the "heathen Savior Virishna". Probably the author meant the Indian God Krishna, in which case it will certainly be a mighty surprise to the one billion hindus that Krishna is similar to Jesus. And so on, ad nauseam. Well, I should have known better than to buy a book subtitled "From Rome to the Bible Belt, THE BOOK is causing the storm of the century ...". There may be intelligent books out there that criticize Christian theology and tradition, but this is not it.
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