Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 212.1
EAN: 9781591026525
ISBN: 1591026520
Label: Prometheus Books
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 310
Publication Date: 2008-04-08
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Studio: Prometheus Books

This edition includes a new Foreword by CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling GOD IS NOT GREAT.

In the paperback's afterword, Victor Stenger addresses criticisms of his New York Times bestselling first edition.

Throughout history, arguments for and against the existence of God have been largely confined to philosophy and theology. In the meantime, science has sat on the sidelines and quietly watched this game of words march up and down the field. Despite the fact that science has revolutionized every aspect of human life and greatly clarified our understanding of the world, somehow the notion has arisen that it has nothing to say about the possibility of a supreme being, which much of humanity worships as the source of all reality.

Physicist Victor J. Stenger contends that, if God exists, some evidence for this existence should be detectable by scientific means, especially considering the central role that God is alleged to play in the operation of the universe and the lives of humans. Treating the traditional God concept, as conventionally presented in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, like any other scientific hypothesis, Stenger examines all of the claims made for God's existence.

He considers the latest Intelligent Design arguments as evidence of God's influence in biology. He looks at human behavior for evidence of immaterial souls and the possible effects of prayer. He discusses the findings of physics and astronomy in weighing the suggestions that the universe is the work of a creator and that humans are God's special creation.

After evaluating all the scientific evidence, Stenger concludes that beyond a reasonable doubt the universe and life appear exactly as we might expect if there were no God.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Effective, if not quite up to hype
Comment: I don't think Professor Stenger disproved God; in fact, as many scientists have said, you cannot disprove God. (See Lawrence Krauss, a nonbeliving physicist, explain this in Beyond Belief I). Notwithstanding this criticism, The Failed Hypothesis is an excellent book. Stenger hammers away at "scientific" creationists like Hugh Ross and Michael Behe(intelligent design advocate). He shows that the Gospels are almost certainly false. (I wish Lee Strobel would read that part of the book.) It needs to be said some basic knowledge of cosmology/ basic science is helpful to understand some of Stenger's arguments. The book succeeds as a complement to the God Delusion, Letter to a Christian Nation, and God is Not Great.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The spirit is alive,it lives
Comment: The problem with Atheism,is its whole foundation appears to be based on something it totaly opposes - Jesus.So in other words,there would be no Atheism without Jesus,this book wouldn't be here,it wouldn't be an issue.Now lets examine this so called failure called God.A man Called Jesus lived 2000 years ago,you now have how many followers and how many establishments such as Churches?You cannot put a figure on that.How many peoples names are being honoured like that 2000 years later,and yet its a failure?People who believe in Jesus feel the spirit,and don't tell me its their imaginations,because there is evidence of the spritual realms existance world wide.So if its true we all have a spirit,it may be a good idea to get all the facts right.Jesus's word is basicly about wisdom,miracles in believing,prospering etc.Yet if you discount Jesus,you believe in no hope,for example if doctors can't help you,and when you die you end up in the ground with the worms.No wonder you end up with sarcasm and hatred.I will admit there is some contradictions,and some scripture needs more elaboration.I have seen some devout Christians examine scripture to try to get their answers.So there is no problem with questioning scripture.Scripture should be examined thouroughly,and examined again.I believe The Bible does co-exist with modern day science if you look for it.There are current questions,there are ancient questions,questions questions a million questions,but there is one answer - who is the answer?You are never going to out argue the eternal spirit.What a philosophy.
This is a book which also explores a more scientific approach to god,but some things cannot be tested scientifically,such as the spirit realm,or what is exactly at the far reaches of the universe.
I think its interesting to read books like this,and draw conclusions of your own.But to totaly discount God as a myth,throws out all testimonys,which includes healings,wealth etc.God exists if you look for it,it may not be a man floating around in space with a long beard,but one thing for sure,it works.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: God: The Failed Hypothesis
Comment: 'God: The Failed Hypothesis', is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive assault upon the `Judeo-Christian-Islamic' god that most of the people in the world apparently still worship.

Stenger argues from a wide range of perspectives, including theological, biological, neurological and astrophysical. He demonstrates a formidable grasp of the subject matter and leaves little room for doubt that from a scientific perspective, belief in the god of the Jews, Christians and Muslims is irrational when given due consideration.

My only complaint is that he hasn't really taken his project outside of the dominant religious triad, failing to confront in any depth the various other forms of superstition that play similar roles in our world. Along these lines, if you enjoy Stenger's book, you may also be interested in Atheism more generally (see the link below). Nonetheless, Stenger's book is well worth the read.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Devolves into an atheist rant
Comment: Stenger begins the book by explaining how he will impartially and scientifically conduct hypothesis testing on God. Just as soon as you get used to him in his lab coat and you're ready for the hard science, he side-steps and starts off on a Sherlock-style mystery. He looks high and low for God in other observer's studies. And with a premature "thus" and an unexpected "therefore" he concludes that there is probably no God. His subsequent, triumphant conclusions read like a sales pitch for dumping your evil religion. He doesn't try too hard to conceal his contempt for his silly audience who may actually still think that there's more to life than Stenger's fairly narrow view of existence.

The last bit of the book is just an atheist's rant and Stenger actually indulges in some President Bush and religious-right bashing. Which, is an excersize that I usually enjoy. I just don't know what it has to do with any serious effort to apply hypothesis testing to God.

If you read the bible for historical facts about geology, astronomy and human history, then you need every sentence in this book. If you're past that, you'll still get some interesting study highlights, a few good arguements and insights against some fringe, christian ideas, and excellent reference content.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Should be compulsory reading in all schools
Comment: This is an excellent, interesting and very important book. Stenger reviews the Bible and other available evidence that might indicate that God (or gods) actually exist. By employing standard scientific method he assesses the probability of various religious claims, and at the same time he provides a wealth of information about the universe in which we live. The text is well written in a style that permits even a lay reader to understand (almost) all the scientific arguments. A very necessary addition to the books of Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, and Harris. Actually, it should be compulsory reading for all six graders.

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