The God Delusion

Richard Dawkins

• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9780618918249
• eBook ISBN: 9780547348667
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

In this seminal text on atheism and the contentious debate over science and religion, renowned scientist Richard Dawkins examines the irrationality of believing in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society.

From the sex-obsessed tyrant in the Old Testament to the more benign Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers, Dawkins rigorously analyzes God in all his forms, eviscerating the major arguments for religion and demonstrating the supreme improbability of a supreme being. His argument steeped in impressive historical and contemporary evidence, spanning from the Crusades to 9/11, Dawkins shows how religion fuels war and foments bigotry, making a compelling case in this landmark work of non-fiction that belief in God is not just wrong but potentially deadly.

As a solution, Dawkins explores the foundations of morality without religion and offers exhilarating insight into the advantages of atheism for the individual and society, not the least of which is a clearer, truer appreciation of the universe's wonders than any faith could ever muster.

Can rational thought and scientific evidence dismantle the very foundation of faith?

• A Scientific Perspective on God: Examining the God Hypothesis as a scientific question—one that can be analyzed, tested, and ultimately, Dawkins argues, refuted.
• A Critique of Religion: A rigorous dismantling of the major arguments for religion, from ancient texts to modern theology, revealing their logical and historical weaknesses.
• Reason and Faith: A compelling case for how a worldview based on evidence and reason offers a truer, more exhilarating appreciation of the universe than faith ever could.
• Atheism as a Positive Force: Moving beyond disbelief to show how atheism provides a foundation for a moral, intellectually fulfilled, and wonder-filled life.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface to the paperback edition
• Preface
• A Deeply Religious Non-Believer
• The God Hypothesis
• Arguments for God’s Existence
• Why There Almost Certainly Is No God
• The Roots of Religion
• The Roots of Morality: Why Are We Good?
• The ‘Good’ Book and the Changing Moral Zeitgeist
• What’s Wrong with Religion? Why Be So Hostile?
• Childhood, Abuse and the Escape from Religion
• A Much Needed Gap?
• Appendix
• Books cited or recommended
• Notes
• Index
• About the Author
• Connect on Social Media
• Footnotes