In this book, Sam presents objections to why Christianity as a religion does more harm than good. Sam is a neuroscientist, philosopher and a notable writer and I enjoyed reading the book though the contents happened to direct its dart against Christianity.
Some of the major objections that Sam points out are mentioned:
1. The Old Testament (Bible) affirms the violent extermination of people without mercy (Deuteronomy 13:6, 8-15).
2. The New Testament (Jesus) endorses the Old Testament Laws (Matthew 5:18-19).
3. Paul’s affirmation of the whole Scripture as God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
4. The evil deeds of the Early Christians against heretics in the 5thcentury (famously terms as the Inquisition).
5. The harsh teachings of the Bible against unbelievers (example: warning of hell, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).
6. The issue of slavery/sex slavery in the Bible (Exodus 21:7-11; Leviticus 25:44-46; Ephesians 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:1-4).
7. The penalty of death for not observing the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14).
With these points in mind, Sam questions the Christians’ adherence of its sole moral teachings (Bible). Sam argues that Jains are much more ancient and preaches a high morality of non-violence and peace. Sam does not see Christians’ moral teaching to be superior to other religions.
There are other issues that Sam raises from the statistics and the history of the world:
1. Holocaust/Anti-Semitism/Nazism and Stalinism (stemming from the religious idea that the Jews crucified Jesus).
2. Statistics shows that parts of USA which are dominated by most pious Christians are situated in the most dangerous cities of Texas. Therefore, Sam observes that the widespread belief in God does not ensure a society’s health.
3. The force of natural disasters/evil and a good God who cares deeply for this world (problem of Theodicy).
4. The seemingly contradictions in the Bible: Sam argues that the Gospel writers mistranslated the Hebrew word “young woman” for “a virgin” to Mary. The discrepancies of Jesus’ crucifixion (Gospel of John and Mark).
5. The madness of gathering for discussing whether an infant who dies (without baptism) goes to eternal state of heaven or hell (Vatican Council). Sam points out the ludicrousness of such a project (calling it a waste of time).
6. Sam does not see the world as an act of Intelligent Design (ID) but unintelligent design. For example, the presence of harmful and deadly viruses like that of HIV and other bacterial diseases.
7. Sam presents his case of the amputee of not being healed (miracles disproved).
8. The presence of dissidents and conflicts among religious groups among the Christians (Catholics and protestants).
9. The Christian experience of bliss and positive changes are not extraordinary since all other religions also experience the same sort of mysticism (thinking of Krishna, Allah or the Buddha).
Sam concludes the book with this paragraph:
“This letter is the product of failure—the failure of the many brilliant attacks upon religion that preceded it, the failure of our schools to announce the death of God in a way that each generation can understand, the failure of the media to criticize the abject religious certainties of our public figures—failures great and small that have kept almost every society on this earth muddling over God and despising those who muddle differently.”
