really but rather a gain
How do you rate the book?
I was eager to read, 'The God Delusion' because of all the hype and because I'm a fan of Dawkins. I especially enjoyed, 'The Blind Watchmaker'. Let me start off by saying that the book is very easily readable. You'll get through it in no time. The print (at least in my paperback edition) was large and the pages rather thick. This obviously added to the massiveness of the volume, albeit unnecessarily. I would have preferred a soft paperback with a smaller font (like many of Daniel Dennett's books).Anyway, Dawkins tears apart virtually every argument ever put forth in favour of god-belief. I say 'virtually' because he does not say much about belief in magic which is also used in many parts of the developing world as a reason to believe in the supernatural. Perhaps, being from the West, he thought it unnecessary. Anyway, he writes in his usual witty style with many anecdotes that are pure entertainment especially for atheists, like me. His emphasis is more toward why god belief is unnecessary rather than providing an alternative to those who fear being weaned of religion. He gives readers the benefit of the doubt that they will be able to trust their rationality and let it triumph over blind faith.'The God Delusion' is less academic than his other works. I noticed a lot of references to Internet resources which I suppose are understandable in this day and age but would have preferred if he kept them to a minimum. Keep in mind however, that my opinion on that is from the perspective of a scientist. Perhaps since it's Dawkins' first real stab at organized religion, he has avoided getting too technical and overwhelming his target audience with endless references and footnotes (a trait seen in many of Daniel Dennett's and Sam Harris' books, albeit intended for a different audience). I understand Dawkins' intention in writing this book is to get religious readers to abandon their faith, which he thinks is more harmful than good. This shouldn't dissuade the religious from reading it though, since faith by its very definition, is immune to any arguments against it. What harm ever came from reading a book? Some people 'lost their innoncence' to books like 'The Case Against God' (George H. Smith) or 'Atheist Universe' (David Mills) and I'm sure some will lose it to 'The God Delusion'. I wouldn't look at it as a 'loss' really but rather a gain. The religious unfortunately have no idea how beautiful the intellectual freedom of a life without blind faith really is.I think this latest work of his would make a great book for people who are uncertain about religious truth and are at crossroads in their life. Even long-time atheists would benefit from a fresh dose of reason and reality. No child should be indoctrinated with the teachings of any religous book without at least balancing that view with this book or one just like it. If you feel differently, then you either have no 'faith' in your children to think for themselves or have an agenda of your own. 