Should I or shouldn't I?

[vera_dicere]

I know there’s a standing rule about no atheist threads, but there’s a girl at my work who used to be Catholic, and we have some very interesting conversations about philosophy and life in general. Many a time, as you can imagine, I’ve defended teh faith - or at least corrected some of her statements in my light hearted way.

Now, she brought up a particular atheist, Richard Dawkins and his book the God delusion, she was saying it made some very interesting points. Now, to be blunt, I think Mr. Dawkins is a hack, and a few other terms I won’t repeat here, and I really don’t want to read any of his arrogant ramblings, but I feel I might have a better chance of pointing out the flaws in his opinions if I do read the stupid thing. I have read articles written about him and his books from a strongly Catholic persepective, but those articles haven’t given me enough to really address what this girl is saying.

So I’m debating whether I should head on down to the library and read the thing - I sure as fluffy duckies are cute ain’t spending money on that debacle. Question I have is, is it moral for me to read this book knowing its just rubbish? I know the Church has strongly discouraged teh reading of other forms of literature due to it possibily damanging the faith of weaker Christians, but there’s no chance of me denoucning God, I can assure you all of that.

I mean, the other thing happenign at work at the moment is another girl, who’s all into the occult, and knows I’m Catholic, and loves to make all sorts of blasphemous comments tryign to offend me, told me she got a satanic bible and said I should read that! Well, no. I ain’t reading that, regardless of if it gives me a stronger ability in apologetics.

 

[stringbeanduck]

It’s up to you, but there’s no sin in reading it for the purpose of becoming a better apologist. I find it always a good thing to study the opposition which usually strengthens my arguments and beliefs.

Another thing you could do is find more some sources that debunk some of his key points. Some time it takes while to find a good site.

 

[rskempf]

I would not waste the time to read these books. It will not hurt you but your mere presence is doing these two some good. I am not sure you need to go all out and read their recommended books. This takes so much time that could be used to read good material or attend daily mass.

I would pray for them and remain cheerful around them. Your behavior should prompt them to initiate communication with you, in a positive manner.

I would recommend wearing a crucifix too and bring some holy water to work. Spread it around your area discreetly.

Be very careful with the one in the occult. Prayer and fasting may be required to help her and it might be needed to protect yourself too. I recommend montly Sacrament of Penance and the Eucharist more than weekly with this one. Again, be very careful.

 

[mgreen77]

but there’s no chance of me denoucning God, I can assure you all of that.

I would suggest humility here. We all have our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and somehow temptation always seems to find them out…

 

[HumblyTrying]

If I may make a suggestion; Scott Hahn has a book called “The New Atheism: Dismantling Dawkins’ Case Against God”.

I believe this would both alleviate your feeling of fear that you may read something that could wedge itself into your faith life while giving you the rebuttal against what your friend believes is logic and reason for atheism.

Blessings in your endeavor!
HumblyTrying

 

[phoenixrrt62]

I know there’s a standing rule about no atheist threads, but there’s a girl at my work who used to be Catholic, and we have some very interesting conversations about philosophy and life in general. Many a time, as you can imagine, I’ve defended teh faith - or at least corrected some of her statements in my light hearted way.

Now, she brought up a particular atheist, Richard Dawkins and his book the God delusion, she was saying it made some very interesting points. Now, to be blunt, I think Mr. Dawkins is a hack, and a few other terms I won’t repeat here, and I really don’t want to read any of his arrogant ramblings, but I feel I might have a better chance of pointing out the flaws in his opinions if I do read the stupid thing. I have read articles written about him and his books from a strongly Catholic persepective, but those articles haven’t given me enough to really address what this girl is saying.

So I’m debating whether I should head on down to the library and read the thing - I sure as fluffy duckies are cute ain’t spending money on that debacle. Question I have is, is it moral for me to read this book knowing its just rubbish? I know the Church has strongly discouraged teh reading of other forms of literature due to it possibily damanging the faith of weaker Christians, but there’s no chance of me denoucning God, I can assure you all of that.

I mean, the other thing happenign at work at the moment is another girl, who’s all into the occult, and knows I’m Catholic, and loves to make all sorts of blasphemous comments tryign to offend me, told me she got a satanic bible and said I should read that! Well, no. I ain’t reading that, regardless of if it gives me a stronger ability in apologetics.

If you were strong in your faith, what would be wrong with you reading something that would challenge it? It would make your faith stronger,would it not?
Unless you had doubts, of course.

Here’s a fast read…The God Virus-Darrel W. Ray
This one’s a bit dry, but somewhat interesting…Jesus:Interrupted-Bart D. Ehrman.
Of course there’s Hitchens and Dawkins…you know of them.

You have a nook? If so, some books you can lend, and I do think I can lend you The God Virus…think, anyhow. Some authors will let you lend books, some won’t. I don’t have Dawkins’ latest book, I do plan to get it, If he lets you lend it, I will lend it to anyone interested;D

 

[HumblyTrying]

Sorry, another good book book to try is " The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller. Keller uses a very scientific and logic based approach to explain the rational existence of God as the Creator. This is another useful book against Dawkins approach to atheism.

I hope earlier I in no way implied that you are weak of faith, that I did not mean at all. I do know that sometimes when faced with something sounding “logical” we will find ourselves questioning our beliefs from time to time (even the clergy face this) so its always best to start with logic that backs your belief before reading the oppositions.

Blessings again!
HumblyTrying

 

[Pieman333272]

I actually agree with Phoenix here, so long as you are strong in your faith, you’ll be fine. If you subscribe to theistic evolution, the book won’t hit you with too much except for some bigotry stuff, and if you believe theistic evolution and read *Summa *the book is basically a giant demonstration of hypocrisy and hatred. I read The God Delusion and some other atheist apologetics books, if you feel doubtful about anything in the book feel free to PM me.

 

[Suni_Moon]

One should always know exactly WHAT they are up against.
It’s better you read his book, and know what it says, than blindly counter it.

 

[Lost_Found]

I know what you’re talking about buddy, we all hear the same thing at work. It’s sad that they think they’re such independant thinkers when all they’re doing is absorbing the culture. Be very thankful your own shepherd is the Good Shepherd.

Don’t waste your time, when something wreaks you don’t need to taste it. What I’ve done is read the Catholic responses, including the Mary Eberstadt book, a fairly quick and entertaining read, there’s the Patrick Madrid book mentioned above which I haven’t read yet, the Kevin Vost book From Atheism to Catholicism was also good, somewhat autobiographical. I particularly enjoyed “the Devil’s Delusion” which I read twice, if you like to stick to the more technical stuff and enjoy very dry humour (written by a secular Jewish author, very frank) I enjoyed Darwin’s Black Box (Catholic author if I recall) which pre-dates most of the new-atheist stuff but it’s very scientific and therefore very good also. I read part of the Timothy Miller book mentioned above, half of it’s good in terms of rejecting scientism but I had to put it down when I noticed his subtle side swipes at Catholicism/traditional Christian doctrine-therefore erroneous. So if you’re a busy man just stick to the Catholic responses, they address all the arguments and you don’t need to play spot-the-heresy with the Protestant stuff…In terms of the occult lady, hopefully someone else has some suggestions, I tire of listening to Harry Potter fans and if anyone has suggestions I’d love to hear them.