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A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists: Musings on Why God Is Good and Faith Isn't Evil By David G. Myers (Author) Our Price $ 14.92   Retail Value $ 16.95   You Save $ 2.03  (12%)   Item Number 91798   Buy New Item Quantity: 1              2              3              4              5              6              7              8              9              10              11              12 ABOUT TRUST ONLINE

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	Nothing new, but worth the time.  Jan 22, 2010
I'll be honest; I had a hard time getting through this book. Not because it was boring, or poorly written, or non-thought provoking, but because I had to pause every so often to write margin notes. And there are many, many, of them. I first heard Mr. Myers speak on the Reasonable Doubts podcast, and was very impressed by his calm, easygoing demeanor, as was the host. I immediately had the urge to read his book, and ordered it soon thereafter. Other than Francis Collins' "The Language of God", I have not read any other titles by a Christian apologist, but once you know the main arguments, everyone else is simply saying the same thing in so many ways (I suppose most atheist literature is guilty of this as well). I didn't even get past page one of the preface before I started my margin notes. Myers writes, "The faith tradition that has nurtured me shares considerable common ground with the new atheists. It encourages the humility and curiosity that underlies free-spirited science...And it does not view God as a celestial vending machine controlled by our prayers." Mr. Myers is certainly liberal in his perspective of Christian theology, as is Mr. Collins, though I'd venture to say such perspectives are the exception rather than the rule. The passages Mr. Myers utilizes to justify his interpretation of his faith are from the very same book Fred Phelps uses to justify his point of view. Where Mr. Myers may see humility, another may see superiority. Where Mr. Myers sees curiosity, another sees the devil's handiwork. And where Mr. Myers sees commonality between science and religion, another sees the former quickly impinging on the latter. Throughout the book, my most often used margin note was "picking and choosing." The sheer fact that the Bible has spawned so many thousands of sects, each with their own interpretation of scripture, is a testament unto itself, one which I feel undermines every argument put forth by the author. If Mr. Myers feels justified in his position based on scripture, as I'm sure does Fred Phelps, and the two are diametrically opposed, who's right? You got it; they both are! And if these two positions can coexist on the same platform (the Bible), how can anyone determine right from wrong utilizing the book as a guiding light? The answer? The individual determines what they will and won't take to heart. If each person reading the book gleans different lessons from the same stories, then of what use is it in the first place? My biggest dissapointment in the book was Mr. Myers' continual use of thoroughly debunked lines of argument; Pascal's wager, Albert Eistein quotes, and the association between atheism and crimes against humanity (Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, et. al.). Ultimately though, I appreciate Mr. Myers religious position, and should Christianity's god stick around for another couple thousand years (and not go the way of Zeus, or Ra, or countless other deities), I would hope more followers would be led to the same conclusions as he. But if the current state of Christianity is any indication of its future, I won't hold my breath.
	A Rational Plea for Reason and Understanding  Dec 14, 2009
It's not a long march to finish "A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists," David Myers' brisk, concise, and fascinating apologetic work. Myers is a social psychologist and he delivers a book that "suggests that faith can be reasonable, science-affirming, and humane." The author aims to influence an audience of both skeptics and believers using patience, understanding, and clear argumentation. Each chapter is brief and succinct; including topics on: - Religion: False and Dangerous? - My Assumptions - Mea Culpa - Simplistic stereotypes - Big ideas and Biblical wisdom - Godliness and goodliness. Considering the chapters are short and engaging, the writing is reader-friendly, Myers has provided the worldview interlocutors with a profound and persuasive book. Numerous diverse and dissimilar scholars have offered their endorsement of this work; comprising: - Michael Shermer - Francis Collins - Alister McGrath - Owen Gingerich Religion is often unacceptable to a person with skeptical leanings who is concerned about troubling religious expressions. This volume is an attempt to remove moral and rational barriers to faith as it helps lead philosophical enemies to reason and peace. Myers writes for people willing to analyze or reexamine deeply held emotional pre-commitments and attitudes. He does a splendid job at gently pressing the reader to examine his assumptions and attitudes. I prefer a deeper analysis of skeptical presuppositions, but that is not the author's overarching goal. This is an intriguing book that advances communication and understanding in place of anti-theistic/theistic polemics. Letter to an Atheist Nation: Presupositional Apologetics Responds To: Letter to a Christian
	A very friendly letter  Oct 20, 2009
This is a very pleasant and gentle book. It offers the dogmatic atheists a chance to consider that, "there may be more than this" and "there may be a different way of seeing these issues." It's well written and covers a large number of topics that can divide atheists from Christians. This book is a warm hand stretched out across these divides, inviting atheists to come and see how things look from the other side. It's not asking them to convert, just to reconsider their views, or to acknowledge that there are other valid viewpoints. There's an element that you may be able to lead a horse to water, but not be able to get them to drink, even if the peanuts are well salted and the horse thirsty. This book is a gentle invitation, but I suspect some reactions to it may not be as gentle and considered. I recommend this book to atheists as a generous invitation to explore other ways of viewing things, and to see that there may be more in theism than you realise.
	Surprisingly convincing  Feb 4, 2009
An impressive book written by a humble, respectful religious moderate. Myers makes little effort to convince the reader that miracles are true or that there have been virgin births; he focuses on the usefulness of religious belief. He shows, through empirical data, that believers have better marriages, are happier, and give much more to charity than secularists. While conceding the harm religion has done through the ages, he believes strongly that it has done more harm than good. Being a nonbeliever, it gives me no pleasure to say this, but Myers makes a strong case for faith. I would love for Dawkins, Harris, or Hitchens to read this book and respond to its arguments.
	Friendly to Satan?  Feb 3, 2009
The author of this book appears to think that it's fine for atheists to mock Jesus and the apostles, and to play footsie with the minions of Satan. This makes me angry because atheists are always dissing God's works and subsutituting the false religion of evolution. Do not be too friendly with Satan, lest you find yourself on your knees with his shameful parts in your mouth.

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