Believe

Why Everyone Should Be Religious

De: Ross Douthat

Narrado por: Ross Douthat

Read by the author.

Do you ever wish you had more faith, but struggle to make religious belief fit with modern assumptions about the world and human life? With a rare combination of empathy, open-mindedness, and persuasive argument, Ross Douthat offers a blueprint for thinking one's 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--whether we are agnostic, somewhat religious, or longtime believers—want to have more faith than we do. But we think we can't believe the way our ancestors did, knowing what we know now—can we?

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.

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

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.

©2025 Ross Douthat (P)2025 Zondervan

Inspiring

Refreshing and level headed approach. Read it with someone you can talk about it with.

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.

Compelling

Douthat accomplishes exactly what he set out to do - this book is an extremely compelling case for belief in a world that seeks to stamp it out. His writing is dense but (mostly) accessible and his common-sense analogies successfully unpack some of the most challenging topics. Perhaps most pleasantly surprising: this book contains only a sensible amount of repetition eg to make a point clear. In contrast to the all-too-common "I have 40% of a book so I'll just repeat myself for the next 120 pages" pattern I've observed elsewhere. I'm recommending this book to everyone I know.

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.

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.

Compelling and solid

I heard the author interviewed on Plain English podcast recently and suspected this would be a book I’d enjoy. I too see the existence of a higher power in science and math and the cosmos - and the manner in which Douthit lays out that argument is wonderful. Will be recommending!

Very timely and compelling.

Well-reasoned propositions that are out of step with current Western culture. All the more reason to consider the propositions with vigor.

A book for thoughtful theists, atheists and agnostics

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The author brilliantly weaves multiple lines of reasoning into a very compelling work. I don’t believe an intelligent atheist could read this book without being moved towards having a deeper respect for, and appreciation of, religion.

Excellent

Well written, very readable, very thorough. Very much appreciate the thoughtfulness of this book. Summarizes a great deal of theological thought in a very understandable manner. Thank you for writing this book.

Perfection

This is Douthat at his absolute best. It is the best conceived, best reasoned defense of faith — or even the nature of the world around us — that I have ever encountered.