Customer Reviews
A strong attack on Christian fundamentalism but a feeble apologetic for atheism - By: Blue Yonder, 06 Apr 2008 
This is an absorbing & highly readable account. It's a serious study (tho with humour), writtenin a clear, accessible style. Rather than a bookin defence of atheism, however, this book is a staunch attack on evangelical fundamentalism. Almost all of Mill's arguments are against Christian fundamentalist beliefs rather than a pure reasoning of his own belief that there is no god. Further, it makes virtually no mention of any other religion than Christianity; & even here, it focuses purely on the evangelical stream of that faith. Thus its value is limited.
Mills' chapters on science are well argued, e.g. his study on the origins of the universe, the 'planetary clockwork' of our solar system, & his defence of evolution (two chapters). Mills also includes some good reading on the implausibility of souls sufferingin an eternity of hellish agony, & on Christians' 'selective observation' of answered prayers. I would love all 'born-again' Christians to consider the points Mills makesin these pages.
I personally am a committed Christian, yet share Mill's annoyance at much of the naivety & shallow-thinking that so many evangelical believers hold to. Indeed, I could list many more such points that Mills doesn't mention! Christians can certainly be extremely naive & obnoxiously insistent that THEIR interpretations of the Bible are the only true interpretations, & that they therefore MUST be right. Such intolerant attitudes are indeed horribly off-putting, & if these had anything to do with turning Mills & others away from their evangelical faith, then the Church has much to be ashamed of. It's easy to see why many find evangelicalism so unattractivein many ways.
But please note that not all evangelicals are fundamentalists. I have a very deep & intimate faithin Jesus Christ, but I am NOT a fundamentalist (although I confess, that like Mills, I used to be). I do not believe the Bible is inerrant, & I certainly don't believe it is all to be taken literally. The Bible requires serious critical study to understand what parts were meant to be taken literally & what is meant to be figurative. It's not a matter of personal choice, but of careful academic study.
Thus, I, like many evangelicals I know, do NOT hold to 6-day creationism, nor that all non-believers will be sent to a life of eternal suffering (however, to insist that any form of 'hell' is a myth is presumptuous). But I do believe that Jesus Christ can give new life to all who are truly willing to die to self; I believe He guides & protects us, gives wonderful purpose to life, hears & answers prayers, & gives a most profound peace, joy & hope.
There are a considerable number of statementsin Mill's book that I believe are incorrect or are gross generalisations which simply do not hold true for many Christians. He states that 'historically, the Church fought venomously against each new scientific advance' but fails to state that many of these advances werein fact made by Bible-believing Christians! Mills is quick to note various inhumanities committed by 'devout believers', e.g. the burning of witchesin centuries past, but makes no specific mention of the MILLIONS slaughtered by committed atheists such as Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, or Kim Sung of North Korea (to name a few). Mills fails to mention that the most atheistic nationin the world (North Korea) is also that with perhaps the most pathetic record of human rights abuses - not 300 years ago, but TODAY.
The author also makes a number of contradictions; such as stating that most Christians live 'very unfulfilling lives' of miserable guilt (p56) - yet admitting that he had 'an exceptionally happy childhood' as 'a typical believerin the Baptist faith'! (p74) I also think that the entire chapter devoted to fundamentalists' views on the danger of internet porn hardly constitutes a solid evidence of atheism! (nor, for that matter, does his chapter on the Constitution of America!). Perhaps Mills was running out of arguments.
But a more serious criticism of the book is the author's failure to give positive reasons for the validity of atheism, rather than his constant attacks on fundamentalism. He completely fails to show what genuine meaning there is to life for an atheist. He simply refers to 'hobbies & interests' which keep people 'maximally happy' (p55)! He goes into no depth whatever on the meaninglessness of life generally orin particular. This is a terrible omission I know of no atheist who lives out what they believe. An atheist believes that a human is simply a (complex) bundle of chemicals with no real purpose. A lump of dog dirt, or a rat, falls into the same category. But what human lives as though he's not more important than a lump of dog foul or a rat. We each live as if our OWN life is very important (if you don't believe that, try pointing a 'live' pistol at someone's head & note their reaction). Atheists live a contradiction, but none are willing to admit it. Mind you, Nietsche at least ATTEMPTED to live out the reality of his atheism & the meaninglessness of his own existence, & I admire him for it. But what happened? - he went insane. He couldn't do it - it's impossible. Mills fails to discuss the soul-less implications of atheism. Ultimately, if Mills had spent far more time explaining the reasons & the consequences of his own atheistic beliefs, instead of simply rubishing evangelicals' views, then this book would have been far more worthy. As it is, however, it does make a thought-provoking read.
So many atheists believe that unless something is scientifically verifiable, then it should not be taken seriously. It's a well-worn point, but who can scientifically verify the reality of love? Yet, it's one of the most vital ingredientin a human's life. And it's the central tenet of the Christian faith (whether or not we all practise it as we should). God is love. He, too, is scientifically unverifiable, but as millions of people who have received His love unspeakable can testify, He, too, is very very real.
Courageous and honest - By: -, 11 Apr 2007 
I gave it 4 stars because this book is written for an american audience & page after page it was clear that the majority of europeans would find some parts banal compared to similar books written by author such as R.Dawkins, D.Dennet or AC Grayling.
It is fair to the author that he has not got the academic credentials of the three above & I still hold my hat to his intellectual honest & courage as livingin US nowadays for an atheist is not an easy thing.
To sum-up it is a good additionin the library & a quite enjoyable book that is often hilariousin various part.
A positive response to religious dogma - By: JA Foxton, 22 Jan 2007 
If you are considering ordering this book, may I offer a word of warning? The original book was publishedin 2004. A revised edition with a chapter on Intelligent Design was producedin 2006. I nearly ordered the older edition. It is worth taking a little care, here.
The first chapter of the book isin a question & answer format. In fact, it is compiled from a number of radio interviews. This sets the scene & gently eases you into the remainder of the book.
The author suggests that the remaining chapters can be takenin any order. They can be considered as separate, self-contained essays. I think it would be worth reading chapter two before going down this route. In fact, I tackled the bookin the orderin which it is presented.
Reading Karl Popper's `The Open Society & Its Enemies' I can remember the sense of excitement as Marxism was systematically demolished before my eyes. There was a sense that there was no opportunity for recovery from such a devastating intellectual attack. Maybe this book isn't quitein the same league but it does share somethingin common. Is there any way back from here?
Of course, Marxists aren't likely to be reading Popper & Christians aren't likely to be reading David Mills! So both authors will probably find themselves `preaching to the converted' to some degree. It would be nice to imagine the `scales falling from the eyes' of people reading this book but that is probably expecting too much.
As mentioned above, this new edition includes a chapter on the theory of Intelligent Design. The author tackles this issue on two fronts. The first is to reveal its scientific inadequacy. The second is to point out that it represents a heretical cult which deviates so far from Christian orthodoxy that,in the unlikely event that it wins a battle, it will undoubtedly lose the war.
An excellent book - substantial & well reasoned.
Most thought provoking book I've ever read - By: , 26 Feb 2006 This is a fantastic book, brilliantly researched, full of intelligent, thought provoking & logical explanations to 'Life, the Universe & Everything'. I truly believe this book is as near as I will ever get to finding the answers. I could not put this book down & I shall re-read it many times, the great shame is that so few people will ever find this book.
A good starting point - By: M. Brierley, 01 Oct 2005 I can recommend this book to anyone who has never bought a book on athiesm before. I've found that it gave me the answers to the questions that i've always asked myself, & yet known were logical, but that i was unable to explain previously. The writter must be congratulated on putting together a book which is easy to read, & enjoyable!!
