Rating: 
Summary: Wow. This is an excellent book!
Review: This book is the most practical and cerebral book on Buddhism I have ever read. I have an urge to purchase a case of them and hand them to anyone I think can handle it, although I'll probably just end up loaning out my own copy and hoping it will find its way back to me.I own many books on Buddhism by several authors (Thich Nhat Hanh, Steve Hagen, Geshe Kelsang, the Dhali Lama, one of the Suzukis, and more...) This is the first that has presented Buddhism as a philosophy and lifestyle that can be devoid of several of the stumbling blocks that agnostics in particular find troublesome, such as reincarnation. Beyond the subject matter of the book, the author describes real life situations that are believable illustrations of the concepts he is presenting. His style is intellectual but not overbearing or highbrow. I truly regret having to put it down each evening, but not only do I need to sleep, I need to let his words churn around in my mind for a while and take root. I have already recommended this book to several friends, and will continue to.
Rating: 
Summary: Not to my taste
Review: Many are fond of Batchelor's, um, interpretation of Buddha's
teachings. I am not one of them. I find that rather than being
without beliefs, Batchelor is overflowing with beliefs and seems
to have completely missed the fact that Buddha really did teach
a system without belief.
Rating:
Summary: finally someone makes sense
Review: after having read too many books that are either dogmatic and pedantic, assuming you'll agree with precepts on blind faith(e.g., thich nat hanh, llama goeshe), too practice-oriented, that never explain the logic behind the practice (e.g., jon kabat zinn), too metaphysical, bordering on poetic but incomprehensible (both suzukis), it was soooooo refreshing for someone to actually discuss their thoughts on WHY and HOW the dharma makes a benevolent difference. if you're a critical thinker, this may be one of the ONLY books that makes a beautiful way of thinking and being make sense to you. you may already understand a lot of the tenets, but it should help crystallize your thinking and make it more coherent.
Rating:
Summary: Certainly NOT worth clinging to....
Review: Westerners seem to demand the same thing from 2500 year old wisdom as they do their magazines, movies, and fast food - quick, self-serving satisfaction that forever shifts and morphs to meet their fickle and ever-changing preferences. To agree blindly with Batchelor is to only support and reinforce the attention-deficit sitcom world that many people are mired in. Or are you too busy patting yourself on the back and purchasing $50 Feng Shui books?
Rating:
Summary: Beliefs Without Buddhism
Review: A better title would be Beliefs Without Buddhism. In the West, especially the USA, many "Buddhist" have adopted "Buddhism" to be free of their traditional religions, not because of the message of Buddha. Even worse, when they have not experienced their own Enlightenment, they make unenlightenment their dogma. I have studied extensively with Zen Masters in the West and East, those in the West have the system and verbage, but not the Heart of Insight (except Cleary!). This book does a great disservice to Buddhism, missing the essentials. Anyother book is better.
Rating: 
Summary: An important milestone for Western Buddhism
Review: This is not a book I would necessarily recommend as an introduction to Buddhism. There are a number of other books that would do this job better, most of them titled "An Introduction to Buddhism".
The people I would recommend it to are those who already know a bit about Buddhism, but have a few nagging doubts. Doubts such as "How can the use of prayer wheels be justified?" or "Aren't a lot of the mystical aspects of practice counter to Buddah's teachings?".
This book puts forward a form of Buddhism that sits more comfortably with a western "rationalist" viewpoint. It quite rightly points out that each time Buddhism has moved to another culture it has undergone change.
The book is not perfect, however. At times it is in danger of reducing Buddah to a self-help writer, and it does not convincingly address the description of Nirvana given by Buddah.
Taken on balance, this book provides a very good entry into what will hopefully be an ongoing debate within the Buddhist community.
Rating:
Summary: What I've been looking for without knowing it.
Review: I ordered this book based on the review here by "Dr. of Buddhology and author of 6 books on Buddhism; Dr. S. A." His attack on it it, and the reasons he gave for that, were more persuasive than any of the positive reviews in convincing me that I should read this book. Whenever anyone says, in effect, "Don't think for yourself--just follow Scripture," I've usually found it a good idea to do the opposite. And as usual, I'm very glad I did. Buddhism has taken on radically different forms in every culture in which it has taken root. Is Agnostic Buddhism one of the forms it will take in the West? I think it's likely. Many Westerners who are turning to Buddhism are agnostic, and stripped of the non-essentials (most of which were added long after the Buddha's death), Buddhism is a very appealing path. But so far, I have encountered little but New Age dilletantes and guru/student fundamentalists, two extremes that do not appeal to me at all. Here in Japan, I've met some very nice priests and monks, but practice has so far seemed quite ossified and heirarchical, something that really seems, well, very un-Buddhist to me. And then along comes Batchelor's book, a breath of fresh air. This is just what I've been looking for.
Rating:
Summary: this book rocks. bottom line.
Review: this was an easy, informative read; my first on the subject of Buddhism. [i figured, by the title, that it was an appropriate starting point.] this book ignited my desire to learn more about Buddhism, and helped me feel comfortable for once in some sort of established religion. anyone who is interested in learning more about Buddhism or thinks that Buddhism might be the religion for them should check this book out.
Rating:
Summary: Believe in this book...
Review: "Buddhism Without Beliefs" is an exceptional book for Buddhists, non-Buddhists and those who hover somewhere in between. Stephen Batchelor offers a wonderfully written narrative on Buddhism as it applies to the human condition, sans the bells and whistles that modern-era theology has thrust upon this culture (as Batchelor refers to it). When stripped of the mysticism often surrounding the Eastern religions, and re-explored *not* as a religion but as a way of life, Buddhism emerges in its truest, *purest* form. In the very way many Christians argue that Jesus was not a supernatural deity but a gentle, wise and very mortal man, "Buddhism Without Beliefs" reminds us that Buddha, too, was of the mortal persuasian, and that he was a teacher, not a god. Keeping that in mind, we are once again able to understand Buddhism as it was meant to be understood: As a way of life, one that needn't be attached to elaborate ceremonies, ritual garb, mystical deities or elitest views to be genuine and authentic. Batchelor's book may or may not strike a controversial chord among some Sanghas, but it is one that must be heard either way. Highly suggested reading.
Rating:
Summary: Many excellent reviews - just piling on
Review: After having read a lot of books and attended many buddhist meditations, i was ready to give up on the practice of dharma. this book eschewed many of the dogmatic elements that were turning me off and made a profound impact on my thinking process. i don't think i can do a better job of reviewing this book than the others - this may just be my way of telling mr. batchelor thanks.
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