2008 Woodie Awards
Book review: The End of Faith
Book revolutionizes mankind's thought
John Sieglaff
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
"The young man boards the bus as it leaves the terminal. He wears an overcoat. Beneath his overcoat, he is wearing a bomb…The bus is now full. The young man smiles. With the press of a button he destroys himself, the couple at his side, and twenty others on the bus." Harris' novel begins with this scene.
The reason why everyone should read "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris is because it truly is a piece of literature that will prove to be revolutionary in mankind's thought. The majority of the novel is about the battle between reason and religion; however, I found it to be more about logical thought over illogical thought.
The point that Harris makes in this intelligent work is that illogical thought is becoming a threat to the life of all mankind and this must be stopped. The illustration of the suicide bus bomber depicts something that is very real in the modern day. America is no fan of the world and it is nothing remotely close to improbable.
"The End of Faith" shows how the disease of illogical thought kills innocent people. People of certain beliefs disagree with other beliefs and as a result they attack because of their "lack of vision." But is the difference of our beliefs so significant that anyone must die over the conflict? It's senseless to kill because of differing views.
Harris shows past examples of mankind's illogical thought and the results of their irrational actions. One example that was powerful, in my opinion, was the Salem Witch Trials. Idiotic beliefs of men in positions of authority can cause many people to fear the most superstitious of notions. The Salem Witch Trials show us this is true. People were killed over accusations that were made from ignorant ideas.
People's minds were warped. They believed in the fear and hatred of witches out of their fear that the accusations could turn to them if they didn't show that they had agreeing beliefs with the men of authority and other townsfolk.
History shows that we have had this disease of illogical thought for too long and it's now gotten to the point where the weapons we use are no longer death sentence devices for individuals but technological terror machines that could wipe out the existence of mankind with the press of a button. Nuclear war (depending on how big the nuclear devices are) could kill the entire human race. Is whatever it is that we believe in worth destroying that?
I would encourage anyone to read this book as I think it's points make too much sense to go avoided. Sam Harris is truly a genius of his time and, quite literally, everyone could benefit from his words. I can only hope that the rest of the world will someday understand this simple concept and mankind will rid itself of its illogical disease.
The reason why everyone should read "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris is because it truly is a piece of literature that will prove to be revolutionary in mankind's thought. The majority of the novel is about the battle between reason and religion; however, I found it to be more about logical thought over illogical thought.
The point that Harris makes in this intelligent work is that illogical thought is becoming a threat to the life of all mankind and this must be stopped. The illustration of the suicide bus bomber depicts something that is very real in the modern day. America is no fan of the world and it is nothing remotely close to improbable.
"The End of Faith" shows how the disease of illogical thought kills innocent people. People of certain beliefs disagree with other beliefs and as a result they attack because of their "lack of vision." But is the difference of our beliefs so significant that anyone must die over the conflict? It's senseless to kill because of differing views.
Harris shows past examples of mankind's illogical thought and the results of their irrational actions. One example that was powerful, in my opinion, was the Salem Witch Trials. Idiotic beliefs of men in positions of authority can cause many people to fear the most superstitious of notions. The Salem Witch Trials show us this is true. People were killed over accusations that were made from ignorant ideas.
People's minds were warped. They believed in the fear and hatred of witches out of their fear that the accusations could turn to them if they didn't show that they had agreeing beliefs with the men of authority and other townsfolk.
History shows that we have had this disease of illogical thought for too long and it's now gotten to the point where the weapons we use are no longer death sentence devices for individuals but technological terror machines that could wipe out the existence of mankind with the press of a button. Nuclear war (depending on how big the nuclear devices are) could kill the entire human race. Is whatever it is that we believe in worth destroying that?
I would encourage anyone to read this book as I think it's points make too much sense to go avoided. Sam Harris is truly a genius of his time and, quite literally, everyone could benefit from his words. I can only hope that the rest of the world will someday understand this simple concept and mankind will rid itself of its illogical disease.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Wiggy
posted 9/21/07 @ 3:14 AM CST
I agree. The new anti-faith stance being taken by more and more people everywhere could turn out to be the greatest shift in consciousness since the renaissance; the disappearance of organized religion. (Continued…)
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