3 out of 4 stars
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Why You Won't Go to Hell is a book under non-fiction genre written by Benjamin Vande Weerdhof Andrews .
The book, divided into five parts with each part divided into topics, is an organized compilation of entries on the author’s website titled A new insight into THE ORIGIN OF RELIGION. The website, and now the book, explains how religion came about and by that, the author does not mean the various religions we have today but how early humans, in their attempt to explain the world around them and the phenomena beyond their understanding, developed into belief in the supernatural and evolved into the religions we now know.
Right from the beginning of the book, the author makes it clear that his objective is not to convince people that religion is wrong (pg. x), but to offer explanation, based on common sense, on how religion developed. Moreover, the book warns people against pseudoscientists who take advantage of gullible people, mediums who claim they can talk to dead people and faith healers who claim to cure sickness through prayers and various concoctions. The author dismisses these as charlatans who capitalize on people’s belief in the supernatural.
In addition to the development of religion, the book also offers explanation on controversial issues like near death experience, extra sensory perception and life after death. It cites factual evidence negating that the Earth (according to the Bible) is 10,000 years old and expounds the inconsistency of the book of Genesis. It brings up the surprising similarities between descriptions of historical leaders and mythical gods with those of the Biblical god, as well as the similarity between the sky god Horus born from the virgin Isis and Jesus born from the virgin Mary.
Ultimately, the book contests the existence of the Biblical god and deities and other form of supernatural and everything that has no scientific proof. The author is an atheist who prefers to be called a ‘non-believer’ or an ‘unbeliever’ because of the stigma and misconceptions surrounding the term atheism.
For open minded readers, this book is a treasure trove of knowledge and information that the author diligently and passionately compiled. The inclusion of the posts by his website commenters makes the book even more interesting and thought-provoking. However, religious fanatics may find this book outrageous, offensive and blasphemous.
I, for one, sincerely enjoyed the book especially the information it imparts. I also appreciated the author’s keeping the writing short and simple making the book understandable for everyone. However, I noticed some errors which though not that many were somehow distracting like ‘with even with very low odds’, ‘Is this is the only proof’, ‘Let’s us examine’. Furthermore, there were topics and explanations that became repetitive throughout the book.
I, therefore, give this book the rate of 3 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to Christians as a book that may challenge their beliefs, and to non-believers who are searching for confirmation of their opinions. Keep in mind, though, that the author clearly stated that he was not trying to convert anyone (pg. 111).
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Why You Won't Go to Hell
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