2/50. Letter to a Christian Nation.

While the first book I read this year was an enlightening tale of one woman's journey into faith, the second was at the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Sam Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation is an atheist making a case against Christianity. He attacks faith, not just because he believes it to be absurd, but because he also finds the consequences of belief in most religions to be ultimately harmful.

While I think it is impossible to judge all Christians, or members of any organized religion collectively, I do recommend this book to anyone with an open mind. Not because I wish for people to give up their faith, because I do believe faith is a beautiful thing and I sometimes find myself longing for it, but because the issues Harris addresses are real, and worth considering.

Issues like sects of Christians wishing to outlaw abortion but not encouraging the use of condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies. (Or for that matter, aiding in the fight against AIDS in Africa.)

A quote from the book:

"It is terrible that we all die and lose everything we love; it is doubly terrible that so many human beings suffer needlessly while alive. That so much of this suffering can be directly attributed to religion—to religious hatreds, religious wars, religious delusions and religious diversions of scarce resources—is what makes atheism a moral and intellectual necessity."

I don't believe Sam Harris' Letter will sway a true believer from his or her faith. I do believe it may raise questions. I also believe questions aren't a bad thing. After all, even Thomas doubted, right?