How We Believe

The Search for God in an Age of Science

De: Michael Shermer

Narrado por: Michael Shermer

Recent polls report that 96-percent of Americans believe in God, and 73-percent believe that angels regularly visit Earth. Why is this? Why, despite the rise of science, technology, and secular education, are people turning to religion in greater numbers than ever before? Why do people believe in God at all?

These provocative questions lie at the heart of How We Believe, an illuminating study of God, faith, and religion. Best-selling author Michael Shermer offers fresh and often startling insights into age-old questions, including how and why humans put their faith in a higher power, even in the face of scientific skepticism. Shermer has updated the book to explore the latest research and theories of psychiatrists, neuroscientists, epidemiologists, and philosophers, as well as the role of faith in our increasingly diverse modern world. Whether believers or nonbelievers, we are all driven by the need to understand the universe and our place in it. How We Believe is a brilliant scientific tour of this ancient and mysterious desire.

©2000 Michael Shermer (P)2008 Michael Shermer

Eye opener excellent narrative

Excellent for deep thinkers and excellent arguments and very convincing. Easy to understand especially for someone from a religious background. And it makes a lot of sense.

Partly brilliant partly boring.

Author is clearly brilliant. Parts of the book were inspired but other parts boring. On the whole pretty good but too short

How Much Michael Shermer doesn't believe

Shermer starts out assuring us that he and his society of skeptics are not all atheists, not even agnostics but a collection of both kinds and even some believers. However, one famous lady signed off in a furious huff when she 'discovered' that they were all report live atheists. This should have been expected. From long before Jesus to long after George Bush, the religionists have always believed that if you are not with them you are against them, and deserving of contempt and burning in eternal hell.

Once he sets out with those polite sentiments of friendly discussion, Shermen comes into his elements, tearing off every fabric of faith and putting scientific edifices in their place. It is a great spectacle as you close in towards the climax when Shermen unfetters himself from satans and demons, gods and wizards and ' disenfranchises' himself from the thoughts and commands from another time, another place. Thus he enjoys, he proclaims, the pleasures of life in full with no regrets, marvels at the vastness of the multitude of universes in which he is a product of a contingent evolution, prides in the sanctity of his wedding with his soulmate, Learns from thoughts of others in scientific thinking and makes his own small contribution.

A great read. Listen to the audible version with a Bluetooth set of earphones and enjoy the logic he rolls out.

Great book and value

Where does How We Believe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am interested in why people believe things, so it was right on.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How We Believe?

Shermer's talk of pattern-seeking and myth was organized well. I also enjoyed his tolerance toward faith systems, only saying that it is when these pretend to be fact-based that they can become problematic.

Any additional comments?

Some reviewers have said Shermer's narration detracts from the book. I am of the opposite view. He sounds like Michael Shermer, not like a professional narrator. But his narration adds a personal element to the book, and his real voice is fits his writing voice just fine.

excellent

excellent it hits the nail on the head. we believe only to fill a god shaped void, which can be filled other more practical and realistic ways