Book Learning #86 Religion for Atheists. Alain de Botton

Oh cruel world!
Oh tortuous journey,
Oh voyage of wrecked dreams.

Where is the hope?
Where do the answers lie?

Such emotions , such questions are as old as the hills.
As a group, humanity has tried to answer them in a variety of ways.

Alain de Botton compares religion with secularism and draws some interesting conclusions.

I still enjoy the air of mystery that religion brings, even if I know that it's just not true.
He argues that you do not need to be a 'believer' to cherish the benefits of religion, especially as modern society has pretty much underperformed in meeting some of our basic human needs.

Also, it was an absolutely beautiful book to hold and to read.

Book learning 64. The year of living Biblically by A.J.Jacobs

I've read the Bible. It took about 25 years and I didn't read it in order or with much guidance but I can calmly state that I have read the thing.

This book was purchased in a supposed light hearted attempt to see what the author made of it all. It became much more than that. An example would be the page and a half where he summarises the beliefs of Jehovahs Witnesses. Suddenly years of quiet prejudice against door knockers was cleared. In future when I hear them being slagged off in a mild backhanded way I will quietly step in on their behalf. The book was full of such insights. I passed it on to a dear friend.

I'm no churchgoer but I do have a respect for those who do, more importantly those who try to lead good, worthwhile lives. Apart from being a bit of a laugh this book made me think a little differently about some of the things I do.

Book Learning 50: Books that shook the World: The Qur'an by Bruce Lawrence.

Books that shook the World: The Qur'an by Bruce Lawrence.

The Qur'an was not written by Bruce Lawrence. It is the direct word of God as told to Muhammad (pbh).
I would not wish to confuse anybody.
This was not The Qur'an. This was a series of essays outlining different historical and political interpretations of The Qur'an.
And a good read it was too.
I rather wish I had actually read The Qur'an in order to have understood this a bit more.
As it is, I shall just value the enjoyment and curiosity I took away from this work.