Letter to a Christian Nation

By: Sam Harris

Narrated by: Jordan Bridges

Length: 1 hr and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

"Forty-four percent of the American population is convinced that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead sometime in the next 50 years," writes Sam Harris. "Imagine the consequences if any significant component of the U.S. government actually believed that the world was about to end and that its ending would be glorious. The fact that nearly half of the American population apparently believes this, purely on the basis of religious dogma, should be considered a moral and intellectual emergency."

In response to his award-winning best seller The End of Faith, Sam Harris received thousands of letters from Christians excoriating him for not believing in God. Letter to A Christian Nation is his courageous and controversial reply. Using rational argument, Harris offers a measured refutation of the beliefs that form the core of fundamentalist Christianity. Addressing current topics ranging from intelligent design and stem-cell research to the connections between religion and violence, Letter to A Christian Nation boldly challenges the influence that faith has on public life in the United States.

Don't miss Harris' The End of Faith.

©2006 Sam Harris. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Excellent

This is like a "God Delusion" pared down and easy to listen to. It was well written, excellent narration. Cuts to the chase. I've already listened to it twice and will listen to it again from time to time to get a refresher.

Required Reading for America!

After publishing his best-seller "The End of Faith," Harris received thousands of letters from Christians across the country challenging his viewpoint and admonishing him for not believing in God. This little book (1hr 56min, unabridged) is his courageous rebuttal to a near Christian-majority population. Instead of "lashing out" against his fellow countrymen for their difference of opinion, Harris calmly and in a straight forward manner, questions the very mindset of Christians. Especially intriguing, was the way he walks the Christian reader through a direct comparison of how they undoubtedly feel about the beliefs of Muslims and other religious groups, and then points out how these others "believers" undoubtedly feels exactly the same way about the Christians' beliefs. This is a very fast and easy read, worth the 2 hours.

Overall ... "Highly recommended if your interested in opening your mind to how others see your own beliefs (or lack there of)."

Finally a book about religion that feels true.

I was raised as a Mormon, and have a religious family. While I am spiritual and a very emotional person, I've never felt connected to, or even good about the mormon church, or any church. Prayer and scripture have always felt empty. I heard an interview with Sam Harris on a podcast and finally felt like I wasn't crazy for not being able to say that I believe that God exists and that religion makes no sense. I had to check out more of his books.

This book validated my own belief that religion causes divisiveness, war and hate with many points that ring true and right. He also made several points that I hadn't even considered such as the advancements in science and human rights that we can not seem to make while there are people who believe in God and scripture.

Intellectual & Literary Genius!

i have read all of Mr. Harris's books, multiple times. This one in particular is one of my favorite to reread due to it's intellectual brilliance coupled with candor & brevity. A must for every thinking person's bookshelf!

will share

I will definitely share this with friends and family. it's a little expensive for two hours though.

A dignified argument against religious dogma

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would and have recommended this book to friends. Sam Harris lays out an intelligent argument against all the old religious beliefs a lot of us hold dear and never question. He is not as aggressive as Hitches nor as indignant as Dawkins but he makes his point clear.

If you could give Letter to a Christian Nation a new subtitle, what would it be?

Use this book if you need to explain your stance to your religious family.

Any additional comments?

Because Mr. Harris takes the time to explain his views in the simplest of terms this book has been helpful in helping me explain why I believe the way I do to my very religious family. He remains respectful but honest and provides plenty of examples that are very easy to identify with.

An excellent read.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Nothing like getting to the point.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Letter to a Christian Nation?

All of it.

What about Jordan Bridges’s performance did you like?

Excellent reader, would like to see the book read by Sam Harris himself.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Letter to a Christian Nation

Any additional comments?

Would love to see more like this by Sam

Concise and pointed.

Fantastic, short listen. Sam delivers punch after punch. You'll want to give this a couple of listens to get the full effect.

Good book, really short though...

It's your typical Sam Harris. well written, thought out, and stuffed full of information. It's crazy short though.. Would have really liked to see at least 3 hours. Specially for the price.

For the Non-Christian and Christian alike

A very well researched and tactful presentation on the subject matter. I would recommend it to anyone.