What About Gods? (Skeptic's Bookshelf Series)

Rating:
Summary: Clear and direct explanation of god myths for kids.
Review: If you are raising your kids to be able to think clearly for themselves instead of giving them canned answers for things which are basically unknowable, you will have to deal with this issue, since most of your kids' friends will be raised as believers in "God", and they do talk to each other about this. I've taught my children about the common beliefs of other religions so that they understand them when they encounter them, but I think that this book clearly labels these beliefs for what they are: simplistic holdovers from the days when faith was the only means for understanding the world, and religion was the only tool for controlling the people. If I have one complaint about the book, it is that it doesn't emphasize the practical necessity of never, ever belittling these religious beliefs; this is one lesson my children know very well, not just for politeness' sake, but also for survival as a minority.

Rating:
Summary: I have mixed feelings about this book...
Review: My 9 year old was disappointed in this book. He already expressed agnostic leanings, and I thought this book would help clarify the issues. The thesis of this book is that the Judeo-Christian God is part of a mythological tradition and people believe in God for nonrational reasons. My son was disappointed that the book did not effectively explain why really smart people believe in God. The problem with the book is that it does not present alternate conceptions of God (besides the old man in the sky conception), so the book is an example of the straw man fallacy. Another problem with the book is that it assumes a very simplistic view of belief and knowledge. The book raises the right issues, but it is too superficial even for children. I would recommend it only if presented with another book that scratches the surface more deeply.

Rating:
Summary: I have mixed feelings about this book...
Review: My 9 year old was disappointed in this book. He already expressed agnostic leanings, and I thought this book would help clarify the issues. The thesis of this book is that the Judeo-Christian God is part of a mythological tradition and people believe in God for nonrational reasons. My son was disappointed that the book did not effectively explain why really smart people believe in God. The problem with the book is that it does not present alternate conceptions of God (besides the old man in the sky conception), so the book is an example of the straw man fallacy. Another problem with the book is that it assumes a very simplistic view of belief and knowledge. The book raises the right issues, but it is too superficial even for children. I would recommend it only if presented with another book that scratches the surface more deeply.

Rating:
Summary: Superb for both children and confused adults.
Review: This book gives a concise overview of an immensely over complicated human condition. The creation of god by man is explained simply and clearly for a child. I wish I had been exposed to this book when I was about eight years old. It could have saved me much self doubt and turmoil resulting from early indoctrination.