[Dianka]

Hi there.

I would like some recommendations for books on the topics of Theology and Science that are suitable for people who have recently de-converted.

My only requirement is that the book has to be one that has been read by the person who recommended it.

When posting a book, please state why you recommend the book.

*Christians are welcome to post books they found insightful, but please don't quote/recommend the Bible.

Thank you

[Hero of Hyrule]

A nice Science book IMO is 'A short history of nearly everything'
It covers indeed nearly everything and it's fun to read.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-...=283155&s=books

[MQTA]

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer


Your Erroneous Zones (1976), Pulling Your Own Strings (1978), The Sky's The Limit (1980), You'll See It When You Believe It (1989)

Those 4 books. Read them in that order. The 3rd book is hard to find, but can probably still be ordered through Walden, B.Dalton or Barnes & Noble, or whatever your local chain is.

I would like to say that these 4 books are guaranteed to change you, but I only know of my experience, and the few people I know who've read these books, and their before/after story.

I found YEZ in 1993, and then I went to see if he was still writing and was surprised to find out he was (and still is). So I read these 4 books. The books he published after these are 'Spiritual' and in the last few years he's gotten quite a following from The Power of Intention. I hear he's coming out with another book, too. They're good, but only if you're into Spirituality.

His first 4 books are for people based in Reality. The first 2 books will really free you, as free as you want to be. The next 2 will put things into perspective. And then if you want to read his later books, they will be helpful too, just not as these 4 are.

http://www.drwaynedyer.com is the Hay House site for more information.

Easy reading, and it's all about you and how you think and see things.

Chapter 5 of YEZ is all about Guilt and Worry. Nothing to understand really, just read it and it'll make sense, and *poof*, no more Guilt (over passed events) or Worry (about future events). Just takes practice when you get the pangs or other people try to make you feel that way.

He says You are the sum total of your choices, and the way he explains it, we are, for the most part, where we have our input.

Here's a really good deal. Go buy at least the first two books, YEZ & PYOS. If you don't like them, give them to someone else. I've even bought people the first 4 books. Nobody's returned any yet.

So FWIW... Dr. Wayne Dyer. Check him out in a book store or the library. After reading the first few pages of his first book you'll know if you want to consume the entire thing.

[MQTA]

The Satanic Bible ~~ Anton LaVey

I read this in 1989, will never forget that October night. I read it on a dare. Someone told me about this book and I didn't even believe there was one. There was no internet or google back then. I told him to call me when he finds a copy. One day he called me from the local Mall and I met him there. I bought the book and told him I'd read it.

Once I started, I couldn't stop. I didn't see it as a Satanic Bible. I saw it as a great Expose on Christianity. Anton LaVey's Satanism isn't evil, it's Live backwards. He explains how Christianity developed and how Satanism, and the drama of it all, developed. Christians are already scared of Satan, so Satanists, doubley so. Boo! Ah! The Ultimate Boogeyman!

The book freed me. I don't think I'd have found or cared about Wayne Dyer's books in 1993 if not for the 4 years after reading TSB.

While reading the chapter on curses, I had this really strange experience. Someone had cursed me back in 1981 and I never really believed it, or thought it was playing on me, but I guess it was. When I read that chapter, I felt this strange energy? shudder? I don't know what to call it to describe it, but I sure felt it. And I felt it LEAVE me. It like just floated away. And since that day, life changed and changed and changed. Even with the bumps and bruses, since 1989 things were different, and then 1993 with Dyer changed things even more and since, still.

So this is another good book to read to finally break free, if you dare. It won't make you a Satanist, because there really is no such thing. It's all a big dramatic joke, but some people just take it as wrong as people take any other religion. What a fantasy world we live in. But it's a great read. Explains a lot.

[trashy]

SurlyMermaid81, on Oct 24 2005, 03:22 AM, said:

Hi there.

I would like some recommendations for books on the topics of Theology and Science that are suitable for people who have recently de-converted.

My only requirement is that the book has to be one that has been read by the person who recommended it.

When posting a book, please state why you recommend the book.

*Christians are welcome to post books they found insightful, but please don't quote/recommend the Bible.

Thank you
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Science: Cosmos by Carl Sagan - very eye-opening, well-written - and lots of cool pictures

Theology: 101 Myths of the Bible by Gary Greenberg - good starter for confirming your deconversion - lots of "how did I NOT see that before?" Gary Greenerg's home page - he has some other good books too.

[quicksand]

Essential:

The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan. I know many fellow roasted hellbound heathens on this site would similary recommond this one too.

Closing of the Western Mind by Charles Freeman. Excellent.


More later.

[Ouroboros]

I recommend: A History of Christianity, by Paul Johnson
ISBN: 0-7432-8203-5
500+ pages. Hardcover.
Dirt cheap at Borders right now. Found it in the discount books shelfs. $7.-! Can't beat that!

It was written a while back, and it doesn't go into all details, but it gives a good foundation and an overall view of the development of Christianity. The writer assumes Jesus existed, but doesn't dive into any argument if Jesus was the son of God or not. What's interesting is to see the good and especially the bad side of some of the founders of the religion.

[Cynetix]

Like Rolling Uphill: Realizing the Honesty of Atheism
by Dianna Narciso
Paperback
ISBN: 1-932560-74-2

This book is a great read for those who feel or have felt alone and unsure about their deconversion. In this book, Dianna reveals her mind as an Atheist. She was originally a Xtian but she began to question what she believed, leading to her own deconversion. She is now a rationalist.

This book has found a special place in my heart. It's been read more than once and will be reread. I needed to read and experience the fact that someone else out there felt like I did and that it was perfectly normal. It made me happy to know I made the right choice: to become a freethinker.

Dianna is also the founder of Space Coast Freethought Assoc. in Florida (Website).

[All Gods Fail]

quicksand, on Oct 24 2005, 10:27 AM, said:

Essential:

The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan. I know many fellow roasted hellbound heathens on this site would similary recommond this one too.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A big "10-4" to that! "Demon" is an excellent primer on basics of rational thought, and it's an enjoyable read as well. Helped me a lot!

Also, I would highly recommend "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds", by Charles MacKay. It's an old book, but brings to light a lot of human delusion over the centuries, including a fascinating history of the Crusades, alchemy, etc. A great read!

This post has been edited by All Gods Fail: 24 October 2005 - 04:58 PM

[Ouroboros]

All Gods Fail, on Oct 24 2005, 02:57 PM, said:

Also, I would highly recommend "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds", by Charles MacKay. It's an old book, but brings to light a lot of human delusion over the centuries, including a fascinating history of the Crusades, alchemy, etc. A great read!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, that is a very good book. I read it several years ago, and I still think about the conclusions you can draw from it. My whole perspective of society and humanity changed.

[Mythra]

I've read lots of books in the past six months. All of them are either exposing the New Testament or supporting the christ myth theory. There isn't any I wouldn't recommend.

"Incredible Shrinking Son of Man" Robert Price
"Deconstructing Jesus" Robert Price
"The Jesus Puzzle" Earl Doherty
"The Jesus Mysteries" Timothy Freke, Peter Gandy
"Biblical Nonsense" Dr. Jason Long
"The Book Your Church Doesn't Want You to Read" Tim C. Leedom

But this one is still my favorite out of all of em. "The Christ Conspiracy" - The Greatest Story Ever Sold. Acharya S.

She throws some conjecture into the mix, and I realize that you need to take her with a grain of salt. But this is still an incredible book full of all kinds of really cool stuff. I found this book the most readable and revealing of any I've read. I don't believe that anybody could read this book and come away still thinking that christianity was legit.

[Dianka]

Are there books that any of you have read that you would not recommend?

[MQTA]

SurlyMermaid81, on Oct 25 2005, 03:16 PM, said:

Are there books that any of you have read that you would not recommend?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's a good question, maybe it needs its own thread?

[Dianka]

Quote

The Satanic Bible ~~ Anton LaVey

Haha, yeah, I think when I get to this book I am going to have to dig a hole in the yard to hide it.

I have scared the shit out of my sister and mother way too much since birth. They would probably have me comitted for this one!

[MQTA]

SurlyMermaid81, on Oct 25 2005, 03:19 PM, said:

Haha, yeah, I think when I get to this book I am going to have to dig a hole in the yard to hide it.

I have scared the shit out of my sister and mother way too much since birth. They would probably have me comitted for this one!


<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was the best book I ever read. It truly freed me and changed the direction of my life. It lead me to do some things I'd never have done otherwise, and probably wouldn't have found Dyer in 1993 because of what happened in-between.

I wrote inside "A TEXT BOOK" in ink so I could show people that that's ALL I considered it. "Face your fears and do it anyway." "I Dare Ya." was what I was told, and so I did eventually and wow! What a difference!

[Dianka]

MQTA, on Oct 25 2005, 02:19 PM, said:

that's a good question, maybe it needs its own thread?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Makes sense, posts would possibly get confused.

Ok, I see I have a lot of reading to get to. I am going to the book store for my first one today. Hmmm. Tuf figurin out which one I should get.

[MQTA]

SurlyMermaid81, on Oct 25 2005, 03:24 PM, said:

Makes sense, posts would possibly get confused.

Ok, I see I have a lot of reading to get to. I am going to the book store for my first one today. Hmmm. Tuf figurin out which one I should get.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let us know what you get. Of course, I vote for Your Erroneous Zones by Wayne Dyer. prob 6.99 or 7.99 nowadays, easy reading, makes sense, and you'll probably want to read his other books after that.

[Dianka]

MQTA, on Oct 25 2005, 02:22 PM, said:

Was the best book I ever read.  It truly freed me and changed the direction of my life.  It lead me to do some things I'd never have done otherwise, and probably wouldn't have found Dyer in 1993 because of what happened in-between.

I wrote inside "A TEXT BOOK" in ink so I could show people that that's ALL I considered it.  "Face your fears and do it anyway."  "I Dare Ya." was what I was told, and so I did eventually and wow!  What a difference!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where does one go to buy this Satanic Bible, I wonder. I can't imagine there will be one readily available at my local Borders.

I think this should be my first one.

[MQTA]

SurlyMermaid81, on Oct 25 2005, 03:28 PM, said:

Where does one go to buy this Satanic Bible, I wonder. I can't imagine there will be one readily available at my local Borders.

I think this should be my first one.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, yeah, good idea.

Should be in Borders. The Satanic Bible, Anton Szandor LaVey

All black cover, white words, red pentagram

It's out on Avon books, ISBN 0-380-01539-0 1969

It's 272 pages but you only have to read the first 105, maybe to 128.. you'll see.

I'm sure they could order you a copy, but they should already have one hidden somewhere.

[Dianka]

MQTA, on Oct 25 2005, 02:33 PM, said:

Ah, yeah, good idea.

Should be in Borders.  The Satanic Bible, Anton Szandor LaVey

All black cover, white words, red pentagram

It's out on Avon books, ISBN 0-380-01539-0  1969

It's 272 pages but you only have to read the first 105, maybe to 128.. you'll see.

I'm sure they could order you a copy, but they should already have one hidden somewhere.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, I will go there later today. If it's not there I'll order it, and in the meantime read Your Erroneous Zones (btw, the name of this book is hilarious).