Main Ideas
Though Hitchen touches on many aspects of why religion has plagued the human race. The thesis of his work is: Religion was created to cope with the human condition of the reality that we are not immortal, rather than fact. Though we all inevitably face death, Religion has caused mankind to separate and repress. Rather than unite and express our fears. This has caused conflict, sexual repression, inability to use health care, irrational dietary restrictions, low self-esteem and self criticism, sexism and immorality, and physical and mental abuse. He argues throughout the book a new for a new enlightenment where society abandons religions in favor for reason.
The main points illustrating his thesis are within the chapters. In the second chapter Hitchens highlights the amount of conflict that religion has caused within cities beginning with B. Within each chapter he unveils another vice caused by religion. One of the key examples is where he highlights the Catholic Church stating that condoms are useless in preventing HIV in Africa. This clearly illustrates the religious institution's desire to live its doctrine rather than save lives. He also disproves the myth of religious people living virtuously as he shows how many religious leaders approved slavery even though slavery is truly immoral. Another chapter that points that all religion is poison for humanity is Chapter 14 where he points to Hindu and Buddhist followers who use doctrine to inspire violence and exploitation in Tibet and Sri Lanka. Within each chapter he highlights an aspect of religion that is irrational or hypocritical and uses case studies to illustrate how religious actions have been detrimental to society.
Though Hitchen's argument is valid as he uses world examples. His opinion is clearly jaded, as he only speaks about the negative attributes of religion, and does not address any positive attributes. His work clearly propagates his feelings towards religion but does not seek any opinion from the other side of the fence. Hitchen's work is clearly a secular humanistic work as he argues only the opinions of atheist.
The audience for this text is anyone who is interested in learning more about the detriments of religion on society. Though Hitchen does provide background information, I would state that the reader should be aware of religious backgrounds and beliefs in order to analyze Hitchen's argument and critique it. As Hitchen's does have a bias that is clearly against religious institutions and their affect on society. Even though Hitchen is biased his credentials are valid, though he is not a PhD he has an advanced degree as well as being a renowned orator, critic and journalist.
I do agree that religion has caused a large amount of conflict throughout history and continues to cause conflict. I also believe that many religions take their doctrine too far and have caused harm for humanity. On the contrary, I do not believe that all religion needs to be ended. As I believe that people cause harm more than doctrines. Extremists such as Alqaeda, have the potential to threaten stability within a nation, but individuals and groups have the potential to cause conflict without religion. Before Christ thousands of men died in the Peloponnesian wars that were over nothing but territory. Some individuals need religion to cope with struggles everyday life, and they should not be condemned if it helps them. Individuals should be allowed to believe what they wish, and should not be chastised if they believe in a God. I do agree that institutionalized religion and government should be completely separate as we live in a global village where many have different beliefs. I think that if we take the extremism, money and politics out of religion it will no longer pose a threat.
The main points illustrating his thesis are within the chapters. In the second chapter Hitchens highlights the amount of conflict that religion has caused within cities beginning with B. Within each chapter he unveils another vice caused by religion. One of the key examples is where he highlights the Catholic Church stating that condoms are useless in preventing HIV in Africa. This clearly illustrates the religious institution's desire to live its doctrine rather than save lives. He also disproves the myth of religious people living virtuously as he shows how many religious leaders approved slavery even though slavery is truly immoral. Another chapter that points that all religion is poison for humanity is Chapter 14 where he points to Hindu and Buddhist followers who use doctrine to inspire violence and exploitation in Tibet and Sri Lanka. Within each chapter he highlights an aspect of religion that is irrational or hypocritical and uses case studies to illustrate how religious actions have been detrimental to society.
Though Hitchen's argument is valid as he uses world examples. His opinion is clearly jaded, as he only speaks about the negative attributes of religion, and does not address any positive attributes. His work clearly propagates his feelings towards religion but does not seek any opinion from the other side of the fence. Hitchen's work is clearly a secular humanistic work as he argues only the opinions of atheist.
The audience for this text is anyone who is interested in learning more about the detriments of religion on society. Though Hitchen does provide background information, I would state that the reader should be aware of religious backgrounds and beliefs in order to analyze Hitchen's argument and critique it. As Hitchen's does have a bias that is clearly against religious institutions and their affect on society. Even though Hitchen is biased his credentials are valid, though he is not a PhD he has an advanced degree as well as being a renowned orator, critic and journalist.
I do agree that religion has caused a large amount of conflict throughout history and continues to cause conflict. I also believe that many religions take their doctrine too far and have caused harm for humanity. On the contrary, I do not believe that all religion needs to be ended. As I believe that people cause harm more than doctrines. Extremists such as Alqaeda, have the potential to threaten stability within a nation, but individuals and groups have the potential to cause conflict without religion. Before Christ thousands of men died in the Peloponnesian wars that were over nothing but territory. Some individuals need religion to cope with struggles everyday life, and they should not be condemned if it helps them. Individuals should be allowed to believe what they wish, and should not be chastised if they believe in a God. I do agree that institutionalized religion and government should be completely separate as we live in a global village where many have different beliefs. I think that if we take the extremism, money and politics out of religion it will no longer pose a threat.