Final Superstition

by Joseph L. Daleiden

As we approach the 21st century our society continues to grapple with a host of complex socio-economic issues such as population control, voluntary and involuntary euthanasia, in-vitro and ex-vitro fertilization, homosexuality, and pornography. Traditional religions have staked out positions on most of these issues and have sought to determine the political response. The religious right had made major inroads in determining the platform for the Republican party and have sought to tear down the wall between Church and State. The Final Superstition shows that such efforts are nothing new. Claiming special knowledge of God's will, the Judeo-Christian religions have sought for three millennia to usurp the political process to further their theological ends.

Author Joseph L. Daleiden investigates all the aspects of the Judeo-Christian legacy,


- the origins of some of the more recent religions such as Jehovah Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, and Mormons.

- the continuing efforts of fundamentalists and evangelists to wrest control of the political agenda in the U.S.

- how Catholicism came to dominate early Christianity and the political influence it has today.

- what we really know about the existence of Jesus.

- a review of bible teachings to determine their value as an ethical guide.

- an examination of the arguments for the existence of God.

- alternative methods of analyzing and resolving the moral issues of the 21st century.

490 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1994

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had my way, this would be required reading for all high school students! This book covers it all: how Judaism and Christianity stole their tenets and holidays from prior myths and pagan religions, their political motives, the atrocities commited in God's name, the flawed arguements that the Bible should be the source of ethical values...it's incredible. I've read a lot of books on apologetics and atheism, and this is the best.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a provacative, insightful, well researched book!! This book was required reading for a U. C. Berkeley Religions of the World class my son was enrolled in. We had many a heated discussion about this class and this book when he was a student there, I being in the throes of a fundamentalist religion and he the budding intellectual. It educated me in ways I will forever be indebted to the author for. (It only took me two years to actually be brave enough to pick it up and read it as nice little Mormon girls don't question.) To quote an often repeated phrase of my youth: "When the Prophet speaks the thinking has been done."

Thank you Joseph Deleiden!

This book should be required reading for high school and beyond.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fabulous! This was the first book I read when I started questioning my Christianity, and I found it more than revealing. I read this book slow, and made tons of notes. It is a great place to begin when faced with skepticism. Joseph handles many Christian claims, and makes it very clear where he stands. I found some later chapters lagging, but the bang from the beginning keeps you trucking. His research is impeccable, and he is honest. I recommend this book to EVERYONE, but very few could handle its honesty, so I warn those who are not TRULY open-minded.