Believe

Why Everyone Should Be Religious

De: Ross Douthat

Narrado por: Ross Douthat

An Instant New York Times Bestseller

"Truly a Mere Christianity for the 21st century"--World magazine

From the host of the Interesting Times podcast

Read by the author.

Do you ever wish you had more faith? Here is a blueprint for thinking your way from doubt to belief.

As a columnist for the New York Times who writes often about spiritual topics for a skeptical audience, Ross Douthat understands that many of us want to have more faith than we do. Douthat argues that in light of what we know today it should be harder to not have faith than to have it.

With empathy, clarity, and rigor, Douthat explores:

• Why nonbelief requires ignoring what our reasoning faculties tell us about the world
• How modern scientific developments make a religious worldview more credible, not less
• Why it's entirely reasonable to believe in mystical and supernatural realities
• How an open-minded religious quest should proceed amid the diversity of religious faiths
• How Douthat's own Christianity is informed by his blueprint for belief

With clear and straightforward arguments, Believe shows how religious belief makes sense of the order of the cosmos and our place within it, illuminates the mystery of consciousness, and explains the persistent reality of encounters with the supernatural. Highly relevant for our current moment, Believe offers a pathway for thinking your way from doubt into belief, from uncertainty about our place in the universe into a confidence that we are here for a reason.

Centering one in the universe

A cosmos made for manas proven by our ability to comprehend the cosmos. What an interesting spin, I loved it.

A Bold Title that Delivers on its Promise

Very well organized and clearly presented argumentation for the thesis as presented in the book's title. Excellent choice of anecdotes to illustrate major points and recommendations for further reading. Closing summation was very compelling and satisfying from a logical standpoint, but equally as a personal testimony with the author-narrator betraying emotional commitment.

Informative and well argued

Really enjoyed this book. His information especially on the state of our understanding of mind was very informative. His argument for belief is also compelling and well reasoned.

I don't read this type of book

Normally I find this type of book tedious, but I just about listened to this in one sitting. I immediately ordered the physical book. Concise, convincing, and doesn't resort to intellectual dishonesty, complex theology, or jargon. Doesn't gloss over any hard questions that might be posed by the religious skeptic, but addresses each question fairly and clearly. It's a really compelling rational case for religion generally, and a guide for choosing a faith tradition even in the face of uncertainty. Truly a book for everyone.

For those unsure or on the fence about faith...

I have already found my home in Christ, but I remember the long road from agnostic, to atheist, back to agnostic, and to Christian. This book would be great for anyone just starting their path of faith and with God. This book is more a stepping stone for the curious and certainly not the end of the journey, but the author says essentially the same thing, so I'm just mentioning it here for those who are readying these reviews before they decide to take that next step towards faith or to not. Take it. While I do think the author gives far too much weight and benefit of the doubt to other religions, he does still at least land at the only reasonable conclusion: Christ is King, and God is Lord.