BOOK REVIEW of

THE LANGUAGE OF GOD
by Francis S. Collins
Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

[While the science contained herein is wondrous and his conclusions very objective, Collins' reasoning for faith appears to me to be shallow. His premises for believing are two-fold: (1) Because of Moral Law that he claims comes only through theism, and (2) Man seeks God so as to give meaning to life, and not to be alone in a frightfully large universe. The first can be disputed through social evolution that has occurred through the ages. The second is subjective -- for instance, myself and many atheists and agnostics I know are not seeking a friend in the sky-- especially one that is as insecure as the Bible reveals. He definitely confuses the reader by mixing "free will" and predestination in the same sentence, giving credence to both (p - 82 excerpted below).]

"THE LANGUAGE OF GOD" is a very worthwhile read. Francis Collins explains in easy terms the background science of his Herculean efforts toward mapping the human genome. He simplifies the chemistry, biophysics, and evolution study required to facilitate his team's mapping of the myriad DNA. To retain the clarity of his delivery, I have excerpted the following passages:

Science is progressive and self-correcting: no significantly erroneous conclusions or false hypotheses can be sustained for long, as newer observations will ultimately knock down incorrect constructs. But over a long period of time, a consistent set of observations sometimes emerges that leads to a new framework of understanding. That framework is then given a much more substantive description, and is called a "theory"; the theory of gravitation, the theory of relativity, or the germ theory, for instance." P - 58

"The six flavors [of quarks] become even stranger when they are described as each having three colors (red, green, and blue). The quirky names given to these particles at least prove that scientists have a sense of humor. A dizzying array of other particles, from photons to gravitons to gluons and muons, create a world so foreign to everyday human experience that they cause many nonscientists to shake their heads in disbelief. Yet all of these particles make possible our very existence. For those who argue that materialism should be favored over theism, because materialism is simpler and more intuitive, these new concepts present a major challenge. A variation on Ernest Rutherford's dictum is famously known as Occam's Razor, a misspelled attribution to the fourteenth-century English logician and monk William of Ockham. This principle suggests that the simplest explanation for any given problem is usually the best. Today, Occam's Razor appears to have been relegated to the Dumpster by the bizarre models of quantum physics." P - 61

. . .
"He [God] could even know in advance the thoughts and actions of those creatures, even though they themselves have free will." P - 82
[this is an amazing hypothesis by anyone let alone a first rate scientist and thinker: Collins claims Jesus and god to be altruist beyond fault. Yet, if God knows in advance whom among His children will, by free will, fall without honoring His divine existence, and casts them into Hell to burn forever, who is at fault here? Why would an omnipotent deity create such an insane condition?]

"The scientific basis of this method [chemical or carbon dating] is described in Brent Dalrymple's book The Age of the Earth, and depends upon the known and very long half-lives by which three radioactive chemical elements steadily decay and transform into different, stable elements: uranium slowly becomes lead, potassium slowly becomes argon, and the more exotic strontium becomes the rare element called rubidium. By measuring the amounts of any of these pairs of elements, we can estimate the age of any particular rock. All of these independent methods give results that are strikingly concordant, pointing to an of Earth of 4.55 billion years, with an estimated error of only about 1 percent. . . ." P - 89

"Beginning about 230 million years ago, dinosaurs dominated the earth. There is now general acceptance that their reign came to a sudden and catastrophic end approximately 65 million years ago, at the time of the collision of planet Earth with a large asteroid that fell in the general vicinity of what is now the Yucatan Peninsula." [Another hypothesis has a mighty volcano being the culprit.] P - 95

"No serious biologist today doubts the theory of evolution to explain the marvelous complexity and diversity of life. In fact, the relatedness of all species through the mechanism of evolution is such a profound foundation for the understanding of all biology that it is difficult to imagine how one would study life without it. Yet what area of scientific inquiry has generated more friction with religious perspectives than Darwin's revolutionary insight?" P - 99

"In the mid-nineteenth century, Darwin had no way of knowing what the mechanism of evolution by natural selection might be. We can now see that the variation he postulated is supported by naturally occurring mutations in DNA. These are estimated to occur at a rate of about one error every 100 million base pairs per generation. (That means, by the way, that since we all have two genomes of 3 billion base pairs each, one from our mother and one from our father, we all have roughly sixty new mutations that were not present in either of our parents.)" P - 131

ORIGIN OF HUMAN BEINGS?
"Which on of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings?
(1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process.
(2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process.
(3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so."

"In 2004, 45% of Americans chose option 3, 38% chose option 1, and 13% chose option 2. These statistics have remained essentially unchanged over the past twenty years." P - 147

"To be sure, certain verses from scripture seemed to support the church's position. Such as Psalm 93.1: "The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved." Also cited was Ecclesiastes 1:5: "The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises." Today few believers argue that the authors of these verses were intending to teach science. Nonetheless, passionate claims were made to that effect, implying that a heliocentric system would somehow undermine the Christian faith." P - 155

"Galileo was subsequently tried before the Roman Inquisition in 1633, and ultimately forced to 'abjure, curse, and detest' his own work. He remained under house arrest for the remainder of his life, and his publications were banned. Only in 1992 (359 years after the trial) was an apology issued by Pope John Paul II: "Galileo sensed in his scientific research the presence of the Creator who, stirring in the depths of his spirit, stimulated him, anticipating and assisting his intuitions." P - 156

YOUNG EARTH CREATIONISM (YEC)
". . . Many books and videos can be found in Christian bookstores that claim no intermediate fossil forms can be found for birds, turtles, elephants, or whales (yet examples of all of these have been found in the last few years), that the Second Law of Thermodynamics rules out the possibility of evolution (it clearly does not), and that radioactive dating of rocks and the universe is wrong because decay rates have changed over time (they have not). One can even visit Creationist museums and theme parks that depict human beings frolicking with dinosaurs, since the YEC perspective does not accept the idea that dinosaurs became extinct long before humans appeared on the scene." P - 173

INTELLIGENT DESIGN (ID)
"Thus, while ID is presented as a scientific theory, it is fair to say that it was not born from the scientific tradition." P - 184

[Collins does not touch on some of the reasons I disdain faith in any of the world's religions. (1) Why would a God promote or demand religious observance knowing full well that such request or demand would be garbled in its delivery -- as it surely has been (resulting in differing tomes such as the Bible and Koran, both of which can be interpreted in any way a reader desires). (2) The author of the Bible cannot possibly take credit for creating the Universe! The Universe is too perfect and its laws too predictable to have been devised by the creator of such chaotic, jealous, and insecure ramblings/self-promoting laws of a supposed deity. (3) What is the necessity of a God-- and a religion -- when I and others like me have found Nirvana or the next thing to it in cutting away the chaff and baggage of sullied tradition. Love and spirit are alive in me without kowtowing to the demands of superstition to supposedly achieve the same goal. (4) I believe religion to have been devised by shamans who explain to the downtrodden and exploited that their lot is unavoidable, but they will be rewarded in an afterlife ﾖ just go along with doing the bidding of da man or the general. It is for those who have given up this life. They are the losers! The winners are those who see through the fog and grab life's many opportunities.]
Review by Ron Stauffer, December 2006





BOOK REVIEW
of
ATHEISM -- GENETICS TO GEOLOGY
by
Maurice De Bona, Jr.


The five page introduction alone is worth the price of this 131 page book. The author has done an excellent job of presenting the case for atheism. It deals with evolution and man, the origins and evolution of gods, myths and contradictions of the Bible and genetics.

The chapters on genetics, science and the brain are superb. Also, those on religion and the church in our times, and morals in the world today, are pertinent. This book is a fascinating read for all atheists and freethinkers.

The bad news is that the people who could most profit from it won't read it.

Uncle Bill Walker, July 9, 2006






BOOK REVIEW
of
THE BARBARIAN CONVERSION
by
Richard Fletcher


This 550 page tome is a highly detailed account of the conversion of Europe from Paganism to Christianity over a period of more than seven hundred years. I will not bore you with the details, sufficing to say that I recommend it to all who suffer from chronic insomnia.

Take two pages just before bedtime.

Uncle Bill Walker, July 2006




Sweet Jesus, Volume Two by A. J. Mattill, Jr.

Reviewed by Ron Hetzel, ATHEIST STATION

"Sweet Jesus, Volume Two" is quite a book! Mattill's objectivity is a breath of spring compared with the usual interpretations of Jesus.

So many verses Jesus said are vague, contradictory, or (as Mattill expounds) multi- interpretive. No wonder there are so many Christian churches!

Jesus condemning himself to hell for calling people fools is a hoot, considering he condemned many sinners to hell for the same reason.

If the Bible were truly inspired by an omniscient God, it would be crystal clear -- not a book of convoluted ambiguity.

Jesus' image is tarnished when you realize he sanctions all the horrible atrocities committed by God in the Old Testament. His utterances of "pluck out thine eyes...cut off thine hand and feet" are the manifestations of a sick mind. Jesus could see into the future; he knew unstable, overzealous followers would do these things! Where is his understanding compassion for these people?

It's hilarious: Jesus sponging meals at the homes of the rich and poor. Here is the man who created food for a multitude, changed water to wine...yet he can't magically produce his own meals, disciples included! He should have made meals for the poor. Of course, "the poor will always be with us" -- and they are still starving!






Book Report of

"BILLIONS & BILLIONS"
by Carl Sagan

The title was derived from Johnny Carson's long standing television show. Although Carl Sagan appeared a great many times as a guest on Carson's TONIGHT SHOW, the book title came from Johnny's impression of Carl Sagan. Carl assures the reader he never said it. Of course it's not possible to discuss galaxies or the cosmos without using large numbers. This, Carl's last book, deals with our planet rather than astronomy. He did an excellent job in discussing the current and future problems we face on our third rock from the sun.

The most immediate and massive problems we face are, of course, overpopulation and the devastation we are inflicting on our land, water and air. America is the most guilty country in the world of causing the problems that confront us. As we consume an inordinate percentage of the fossil fuels used throughout the world, we are the world's largest air polluting country -- by far. He touches on the ongoing extermination of species of plant and animal life and the effects these will have on the world's future. He also acknowledges the distinct possibility that we will not have a future.

Although Carl Sagan lived and died an Atheist, he proposes an alliance between science and religion(s). He brings out the reverence for life that exists in all of the major religions that infest our planet. He expresses hope that we can have unity in facing and solving our social problems.
He seems to be more optimistic than I in thinking that the Roman Catholic Church will change its stance on birth control. Time will tell.

The last chapter in this highly readable 240-page book is devoted to his own struggle for life. The chapter titled "In the Valley of the Shadow" says it all. Six times he was at death's door. Carl had a great zest for life, a loving wife and children, and much to offer. He maintained his firm disbelief in an afterlife to the very end. The world has sustained a great loss with his death. This book is a banquet for thought!

Bill Walker


Book Report of

"UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN"
By John Krakauer, Doubleday, 2002


This is a very revealing study of the fastest growing religion in America; a story of how faith can go violently awry. In short, Mormonism (one too many m's as far as I'm concerned) is a do-it-yourself religion--at least the fundamentalist brand. Yes, even the Mormons have their fundamentalists; isn't that nice?

Actually, the mainstream, moneymaking, pious central in Salt Lake City religion is known as the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (LDS), which was incorporated in 1830 in New York State by Joseph Smith. His claims of mystic revelations and lost golden tablets underscore his history of opportunistic charlatanism. Having a charismatic way with words, he reluctantly removed his early flock to Ohio where he soon was castigated and nearly castrated for his beguilement of his boarding house host's fourteen year-old maid (unbeknownst to his wife, Emma).

Soon after, his flock again removed, this time to Missouri, to escape growing persecution (I wonder why?), where the church found new converts and was growing leaps and bounds with unquestioning, spiritually starved, swooning retrogrades (I'm a tad uncharitable, here). Once there, they were eager to embrace any Gentiles who cared to convert, but the Saints had little interest in associating with Missourians who remained too ignorant or obstinate to grasp God's plan for mankind. . . . 'everyone was free to choose whether to be on the side of the lord or the side of wickedness; . . .' (Does that sound familiar in today's course of events?)

Their aloofness and disdain for their Gentile (heretic) neighbors won them few friends and soon the cultures clashed in violence. In effect, the heretic Missourians ran the Mormons out of the state, and they emigrated to Illinois where Governor Thomas Ford, welcomed them as a persecuted, God fearing sect (I would like to say: insect). This was in 1840, and by 1844 the state of Illinois was on the verge of civil war over the Mormon influence in Hancock County (which was proud of its namesake in the signing of the Declaration of Independence--which Joseph Smith was not). Arrested for Treason, he was shot to death by vigilantes who stormed his cell, dying as a martyr for I know not what cause.

Samuel, Joseph's brother, was poisoned to death on the eve of his ascendancy as top Mormon, leaving Brigham Young to lead this ever increasing, persecuted group out of hostile Illinois, across the plains to Great Salt Lake Valley, as the group's second leader and prophet (not profit--I think, though I'm not sure). Less than two years before Joseph died, he had a revelation from God that it was a very good thing (indeed, "celestial") for Mormons to have plural wives, though he was fearful to announce it to Emma himself. Up to that time he had secretly married 32 other women. He had a roving eye for comely chicks (which he considered a godsend and not just devil inspired lust), and he could 'sell a muzzle to a dog.'

Salt Lake was then a part of Mexico and thought to be beyond the influence of Washington and its jaundiced eye concerning polygamy. But then a successful war with Mexico ceded the area to the United States and the only hope of being left alone was to pray for the dissolving of the Union (which Joseph Smith had prophesied would happen).
But the Union was maintained and a great transcontinental railroad was laid through their once isolated community, exposing their polygamous culture to the rest of the country.


GOD.COM
By John A Henderson, M.D., Published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc., 2002


This effort of 97 pages is an interesting concept: "A DEITY FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM." Dr. Henderson, as frustrated as all the rest of us people of reason are, suggests a tongue-in-cheek, female deity to replace the many ineffective but demanding gods that now control the planet's multitudes. Every effort to upset the juggernaut of religiosity is wonderfully accepted by us (and I speculate that his suggestion is some sort of confirmation of Mother Nature).

Especially welcome is his reduction of "religion" and "morality" effectively separating the two as if in a centrifuge. He makes the observation that religion is one's relationship with his God, while morality is one's relationship with his fellow human. Really, the two terms are quite distinct from each other, and he deserves much credit for recording that deduction, and pointing out that where God really doesn't need all that attention, our fellow man does. We need all the help we can get -- from each other!

In criticism, I have only two questions:
1. Having studied Ayn Rand and her philosophy of OBJECTIVISM, just how much more altruism is asked by this new Deity -- haven't the other religions exacted enough self-sacrifice for their existence and promulgation?
2. Why GOD.COM? Why not GOD.ED (for Edu)? Isn't education and enlightenment the answer to the God question? The more we are enlightened, the less we seem to require from the mystics.

Quotes from Ambrose Bierce and Thomas Jefferson and Plato spice up the early chapters, and there are other memorable excerpts:

"One of the biggest problems people who fear God face is that because of their fear they can no longer allow themselves to think logically. For example, if you believe God is perfect and He never made a mistake, logically you must never question why He created Satan or why He created Hell."

LOVE AND SEX- ". . . men give love to obtain sex. Women give sex to obtain love" (True lovers might dispute this.)

In one sense we are all atheists, Stephen Roberts remarked to a believer, "I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all of the other possible gods you will understand why I dismiss yours."

This is a great read for those on the borderline of losing their faith; and a great gift for a serious thinking, unmarried son or daughter.
(To order, send $12.00 per copy to John A. Henderson, M.D., 117 Rathfarnham Circle, Asheville, NC 28803. The price includes shipping and handling. You may order by e-mail or telephone at: JRH828@webtv.net, or (828) 684-2454.)



Ron Stauffer, Nov. 2, 2003