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Summary: The human side of questioning ones faith
Review: The strength of Dan Barker's work in Losing Faith in Faith is not simply in his debunking of the Christian myths but in his telling of the trip of discovery that lead him and many others to lose faith. Faith, after all, is not the product of logic and logic alone won't fully sustain one who is turning away from sincere and long held beliefs. There is discomfort, uncertainty, maybe even fear in embracing a new reality. There can be the very real problems of abandoned friendships, lost access to familiar social circles, possibly even retaliation from friends and family. These are serious enough to delay, maybe even thwart a quest for the truth. But seeing that an obviously sincere and friendly young man who held christian beliefs much more strongly than most has traveled the uncertain road and overcome the same obstacles we ourselves face brings a new strength and sense of community. This is a book I can wholeheartedly recommend to believers, non believers and those who, though in neither camp, are asking the questions.
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Summary: A great book! M.J. Willett is off his rocker!
Review: I have no idea what the guy who posted below me is talking about--this book is great! Dan Barker illustrates all of the common mistakes made by theist apologists and does an excellent job describing the positive, humanistic ethic of freethought. Five stars only because I can't select 6!!
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Summary: Nothing new In this book
Review: An emotionally captivating and generally well written piece. Yet, none of this information is new or even freshly thought-out. It was also somewhat ironic how Barker uses the very same psychological and emotional manipulation that he indirectly charges Christian individuals of using. His argument (or rather the standard issue "Freethinker" argument) against Jesus' historical existence are the same arguments that have faded in and out of atheistic literature since the early 19th century. The reason this argument is not widely propagated today is because there are many pieces of first century literature which document that Jesus and Christians existed in the first century. Some of the more popular references which one may want to read include the Roman historian Tactius (Annels XV.44), the Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities, 2.18.3), and Pliny the Younger (Letters 10.96,97). Also the Jewish Talmuds and satirists such as Lucian of Samosata (The Passing Peregrinus). These and others are indeed reliable and relevant. If the documentation of Jesus as a historical figure is explained away, then we have no need to trust anything else we know as historical fact. Regarding morality: In some parts of the book Barker supports some form of atheistic objectivism while towards the end he seems to argue in favor of relativism. Im confused...What does this man believe in?!? It was also quite apparent that Barker is not interested in arguing against any true Christian philosophers or theologians on the issue of morality. Instead he argues against every-day irrational mindsets of uneducated individuals (including his analysis of C.S. Lewis' work which was originally aimed at the average person). Is he assuming that all theists, or even Christians for that matter, have the same moral philosophy and all use it as evidence of Gods existence? Such generalizations are nonsense. Also many times in the book Barker blamed Christians for using ad hominem arguments, but over and over he uses ad hominem himself to refute certain issues. Usually by pointing out the general ignorance of unlearned Christian individuals in refutation of their simplistic understanding of creation(as if the average unlearned atheist is not just as unknowing). I am sure many zealous atheist-wanna-be's will be drawn in by the emotional appeals and clearly presented misreprepresentations of this book.
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Summary: A fascinating read for believers and non-believers alike
Review: The story of Dan Barker is fascinating. He tells an honest and revealing tale of how he devoted his life to Christ, and then how he lost faith in faith. For Christians, it is at the very least an excellent source of the strongest and most thoughtful arguments against belief in God. If your faith survives it will undoubtedly be stronger. For the non-believers, it is at once a gripping true story and a comprehensive defense against those who might attempt to convert you. While I find groups like "American Atheists" to be a bit extreme and uncompomising in their stand, it is refreshing to read such a balanced and understanding viewpoint. Mr. Barker argues for freedom, which regardless of your ideological stand is a cause worth supporting.
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Summary: Must-Read for Understanding the Christian Mindset
Review: Raised an atheist, I found this book invaluable in my efforts to understand the mindset of the so called christians and others mentally detached from the world around. In a world festering with vicious intolerance for those suggesting that human beings can't surmise for themselves the nature of their own existence, Mr. Barker is perhaps one of the most courageous thinkers of our age.
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Summary: Excellent overview for agnostics/atheists
Review: One of the best books I've read on the subject. Gives clear and simple points against religion from an interesting perspective. I highly recommend it. See also "Some Mistakes of Moses" by Robert Ingersoll, mentioned in this book.
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Summary: A must read for those with the courage to question "faith"
Review: LFIF is well reasoned and powerfully expressed. The author's story of his life as a devout Christian, and his slow, reluctant deconversion to atheism is cathartic for the many people who have struggled with questions of faith. The author clearly explains how he determined that Christianity doesn't make sense, and why the Bible and Christian apologetics should be challenged. Another book which very effectively casts doubt on the accuracy of the new testiment is THE FIVE GOSPELS-WHAT DID JESUS REALLY SAY by Robert Funk, Roy Hoover, and the Jesus Seminar.
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Summary: Excellent criticisms of ludiricious assumptions
Review: Dan Barker's "LFIF' is an excllent criticism of the bible and christian dogma and another example of why reason and logic will always win out in the end. I especially enjoyed his sections on morality (or lack theirof)in the christian bible, and I especially enjoyed his section on the histriocity of Jesus. I never even considered the fact that Jesus Christ never existed but after reviewing the material, I now consider just to be a myth. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks their "faith" means something.
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Summary: Appealing argument for rational thought
Review: Dan Barker's insightful analysis of the basic tenants of christian faith and of his own life prove him to be an open-minded rational thinker. As a former christian, I too began to have doubts about certain tenants of christianity. My own intellectual journey from christian to atheist was not instantaneous, but rather many years of serious study and reflection. Dan Barker tells a brilliant story of his own transition from christian to atheist over a period of years, a story that should inspire all thinking people to take a hard look at themselves and ask what they really believe. Dan Barker's argument for morality without a god stands up. His analysis of Bible "morality" is excellent, showing the Bible to lack any sort of actual moral framework (moral statements are contradicted throughout the book -- e.g. thou shalt not kill). He shows that atheism is truly moral, with the human race's best interests at heart. An excellent book for a newly deconverted atheist or an old atheist. Excellent support for the christian who has some serious doubts. And a challenge to the theists to think about what they really believe...
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Summary: Dan studied theology and realized it was man-made doctrine
Review: A typical example of someone who stops believing because the evidence is simply a logical fallacy. Dan started to realize the Bible was nothing more than a fiction book. He does a splendid job in the contradictions chapter of noting how the God of the Bible is evil and good. Depending on what lesson the believer needs to reinforce. It's an excellent reference easily read for the intellectual skeptic who has decided to think for himself. He doesn't elude that God doesn't exist, the person who has conjured up God in their head has the burden of proof and Dan gives some simple contradictory scripture to show its fallible confusion. A positive step toward progressive thinking of humanity.
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