In 'Letter to a Christian Nation', Sam Harris delivers a provocative critique of religion, specifically targeting Christianity in America. He argues that faith-based beliefs can threaten societal progress and scientific understanding. Through eloquent prose, Harris calls for a rational discourse over dogma, urging readers to reconsider the role of religion in daily life. His impassioned appeal invites readers to reflect on moral issues independent of religious frameworks. This compelling manifesto challenges you to question the status quo and envision a future guided by reason and ethics.
By Sam Harris
Published: 2008
"The true challenge of our time is to give our children the tools to challenge faith itself, in the name of reason and compassion."
From the new afterword by the author: Humanity has had a long fascination with blood sacrifice. In fact, it has been by no means uncommon for a child to be born into this world only to be patiently and lovingly reared by religious maniacs, who believe that the best way to keep the sun on its course or to ensure a rich harvest is to lead him by tender hand into a field or to a mountaintop and bury, butcher, or burn him alive as offering to an invisible God. The notion that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that his death constitutes a successful propitiation of a “loving” God is a direct and undisguised inheritance of the superstitious bloodletting that has plagued bewildered people throughout history. . .
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“The true challenge of our time is to give our children the tools to challenge faith itself, in the name of reason and compassion.”
Letter to a Christian Nation
By Sam Harris
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Sam Harris is a bestselling author, neuroscientist, and public intellectual known for his keen insights on philosophy, science, and religion. He is the author of several notable works, including 'The End of Faith,' which critiques religious dogma, 'Letter to a Christian Nation,' and 'Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion.' Harris's writing is characterized by its clarity and rationality, often blending rigorous scientific understanding with profound philosophical inquiry. He is also a co-founder of the influential 'Waking Up' app, where he explores mindfulness and meditation.
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