Comment by Nelson on December 29, 2010 at 2:03pm

frankly, neither.

there are far better books if what you're after is increasing your depth of knowledge when it comes to arguments for and against religion/god. Hitchens' book is an entertaining read, of this there is no doubt, but it's basically a list of bad things that religion has caused people to do. surely you're already aware that religion causes people to do bad things. plus, it's not even an argument against the existence of god because, what, "religion causes people to do bad things, therefore god doesn't exist"? there's a disconnect there that's pretty obvious.

Dawkins' book is at least a better book to read if you want to read about arguments for god and rebuttals against them but, here's a secret: among serious philosophers Dawkins' book is considered to be shallow and a bit naive. sure, it scratches the surface but it doesn't provide the depth that other many other books do.

in the end, if you have to pick between either of these i say go with Dawkins' book. but if you really want to read up on the subject i'd suggest that your money would be better spent on one of the following:

Richard Gale's On The Nature And Existence Of God

John Loftus' Why I Became An Atheist

Michael Martin's Atheism: A Philosophical Justification

Robin le Poidevin's Arguing For Atheism

Comment by Matt Peters on December 29, 2010 at 2:07pm

Thanks Nelson. That's very helpful!

Comment by Nelson on December 29, 2010 at 2:10pm

no problem Matt, happy to help.

Comment by Reg The Fronkey Farmer on December 29, 2010 at 2:40pm

Also worth a read are:

Dan Dennett – Breaking the Spell.

Victor Stenger – God the Failed Hypothesis.

George Smith – Atheism, the case against god.

I also have read both and would prefer Dawkins. But Hitchens is still worth the time to read as he seems to have a different way of looking at things.

 

Comment by Greg Gorey on December 29, 2010 at 3:08pm

TGD is no where near being Dawkin's best book. Get the paperback of "The Greatest Show on Earth" or "Unweaving the Rainbow." Both are wonderful. If you want a book specifically about God, get (ed) John W Loftus' The Christian Delusion. It is excellent.

Comment by Nelson on December 29, 2010 at 3:21pm

couple of people are recommending Victor Stenger's God: The Failed Hypothesis but care should be taken with that book due to the hasty haphazard way in which Stenger dismisses fine-tuning arguments. he's been shown to be wrong on a couple fronts when it comes to fine-tuning.

Comment by Reg The Fronkey Farmer on December 29, 2010 at 7:23pm

Nelson - That's a fair comment  about Stenger.

Comment by Greg Gorey on December 29, 2010 at 7:41pm

Let me reiterate. You should buy "The Christian Delusion". It is a wonderful book that offers very cogent arguments that are all written by experts. Its 1000x more devastating than The God Delusion.

Comment by James on December 29, 2010 at 8:25pm

Between the two, I'd get anything by Dawkins before Hitchens. But to tell the truth, I found Atheist Universe by David Mills to be a superb primer. I definitely recomend reading TGD, but reading Mills first will ease the transition. But if you're interested in evolution. I found The Greatest Show on Earth to be a fantastic book.

Comment by Terry H. on December 29, 2010 at 8:27pm

I havent read the Dawkins book yet but I have to write it is flattering to know that I have argued the same points and asked the same questions as Hitchens and Dawkins regarding religion and belief in an intervening deity. Thanks for the the book recommendations....

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