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Without God: Science, Belief, Morality, and the Meaning of Life
What’s left when belief in God disappears—but evil doesn’t?
Without God is a thoughtful and searching exploration of what happens when belief in God is removed from our understanding of morality, meaning, human value, and even reason itself.
Rather than attacking a caricature of atheism, the author draws directly from writers like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Bertrand Russell, and others—engaging their arguments as they present them. From the opening pages, Broom invites readers to reflect—not just on what atheism claims, but on what it quietly gives up.
Along the way, Broom considers questions such as:
– What becomes of moral truth when no one stands above us?
– Do skeptics avoid faith—or quietly place it somewhere else?
– If we are only matter in motion, what gives human life real meaning and worth?
– Can Christianity make better sense of evil than a world without God?
Written in a clear, respectful, and accessible tone, Without God explores key themes of Christian apologetics, including the problem of evil and the tension between science and faith. It speaks to the skeptic who wants more than slogans—and to the believer who wants more than shallow answers.
It is not a book about winning arguments—it’s about wrestling openly and honestly with our doubts.
If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt—or tried to help someone who does—this book offers a reasoned perspective from someone who has followed doubt to its edge—and found that wrestling honestly with doubt deepens, not destroys, faith.
Without God is a thoughtful and searching exploration of what happens when belief in God is removed from our understanding of morality, meaning, human value, and even reason itself.
Rather than attacking a caricature of atheism, the author draws directly from writers like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Bertrand Russell, and others—engaging their arguments as they present them. From the opening pages, Broom invites readers to reflect—not just on what atheism claims, but on what it quietly gives up.
Along the way, Broom considers questions such as:
– What becomes of moral truth when no one stands above us?
– Do skeptics avoid faith—or quietly place it somewhere else?
– If we are only matter in motion, what gives human life real meaning and worth?
– Can Christianity make better sense of evil than a world without God?
Written in a clear, respectful, and accessible tone, Without God explores key themes of Christian apologetics, including the problem of evil and the tension between science and faith. It speaks to the skeptic who wants more than slogans—and to the believer who wants more than shallow answers.
It is not a book about winning arguments—it’s about wrestling openly and honestly with our doubts.
If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt—or tried to help someone who does—this book offers a reasoned perspective from someone who has followed doubt to its edge—and found that wrestling honestly with doubt deepens, not destroys, faith.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2019
358 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 4, 2019
Though the book strongly defends the idea of God, it defends Christian faiths only. The author could have defended the sheer idea of God irrespective of faiths. However, the book has unique ideas and the author has done very well in terms of defending his cause with strong and persuasive arguments.
October 21, 2019
An excellent anthology of arguments pro and con regarding the existence of a creator God in which it is shown that when all the cards are finally laid upon the table, both sides stand on an argument of faith. The drawback to tackling this in audio format is that the information in it is so encompassing and relentless that you just can't keep track of it all. It really requires folded pages, highlighted paragraphs, and underlined sentences to refer back to and reread as needed.
September 28, 2019
If you don't believe in God you should read this. If you do believe in God you should read this. I hadn't spent alot of time focusing on other worldviews until more recently so it's interesting to hear opinions from so many different perspectives. The writer does a great job of compiling thoughts from great minds on each side and bringing the info together to look at comparitively.
I have many non believers in my life I want to have read this to gain their thoughts on all that was spoken. I think it could give them alot to think about and consider. Really challenging the why in a easy to read way.
Never boring for a moment. A fast read or listen.. but so much great info I will definitely read back through to recapture some of the wonderfully thought out reference points.
I have many non believers in my life I want to have read this to gain their thoughts on all that was spoken. I think it could give them alot to think about and consider. Really challenging the why in a easy to read way.
Never boring for a moment. A fast read or listen.. but so much great info I will definitely read back through to recapture some of the wonderfully thought out reference points.
Read
February 17, 2025No rating as I do not rate non fiction books
This was a book that I do not typically read however I actually quite enjoyed it. This is a good book for Christian’s along with also non Christian believers. This book is actually really interesting and dives into many subjects. It is very scientific based and does have a lot of reference to many other books and people however I found it very good to read and see many point of views.
Quotes:
- but what is evil? We live in a world where the very definition of good and evil is being challenged.
- you would not call a man humane fir ceasing to set mousetraps if he did so because he believed there were no mice in the house.
- ideas not only shape other ideas, but they drive our world and create our history.
- “the greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge”
- religion and science are simply incompatible, it’s one or the other.
- To say that supernatural causes can’t occur because science can’t detect them is like saying diamonds don’t exist because metal detectors can’t detect them.
- the strong eat the weak, and suffering is the lot of every creature
- homo homini lupus (man is a wolf to his fellow man)
- them why is evolution still producing the same kind of moral monsters that it has in the past?
- DNA neither cares or knows. DNA just is. And we dance to its music.
- what is love but a biochemical evolutionary illusion
- creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exist.
- when suffering comes, and is surely will, it crushes you.
- I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
- faith is putting our trust in the best account of what we know about the world.
This was a book that I do not typically read however I actually quite enjoyed it. This is a good book for Christian’s along with also non Christian believers. This book is actually really interesting and dives into many subjects. It is very scientific based and does have a lot of reference to many other books and people however I found it very good to read and see many point of views.
Quotes:
- but what is evil? We live in a world where the very definition of good and evil is being challenged.
- you would not call a man humane fir ceasing to set mousetraps if he did so because he believed there were no mice in the house.
- ideas not only shape other ideas, but they drive our world and create our history.
- “the greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge”
- religion and science are simply incompatible, it’s one or the other.
- To say that supernatural causes can’t occur because science can’t detect them is like saying diamonds don’t exist because metal detectors can’t detect them.
- the strong eat the weak, and suffering is the lot of every creature
- homo homini lupus (man is a wolf to his fellow man)
- them why is evolution still producing the same kind of moral monsters that it has in the past?
- DNA neither cares or knows. DNA just is. And we dance to its music.
- what is love but a biochemical evolutionary illusion
- creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exist.
- when suffering comes, and is surely will, it crushes you.
- I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
- faith is putting our trust in the best account of what we know about the world.
Read
December 20, 2020This book is just wonderful. It brings together a broad spectrum of apologetic arguments which for me are well explained rationally and persuasively. I've read many books by people you have cited; CS Lewis, Tim Keller, Ravi Zacharias, David Berlinski, Charles R. Swindoll, William Lane Craig and a list of others the length of your arm. This book is certainly one of my favourite now. I’m looking forward to this authors next publication. P.S. I'm sure to read Without God again.
January 27, 2020
A Philosophical Evaluation of the Arguments for and against the Existence of God
This book does a good job of reviewing the scientific and faith-based arguments about God. While the author makes a fair, straightforward presentation of both sides, and in some places gets into the weeds of inductive and abductive reasoning, the author makes a clear case that science is no more reliable than religion in discovering the truth. He ends up concluding that it is more probable that God exists than not, and he exhorts readers to fill the God-sized void in their lives.
This book does a good job of reviewing the scientific and faith-based arguments about God. While the author makes a fair, straightforward presentation of both sides, and in some places gets into the weeds of inductive and abductive reasoning, the author makes a clear case that science is no more reliable than religion in discovering the truth. He ends up concluding that it is more probable that God exists than not, and he exhorts readers to fill the God-sized void in their lives.
October 20, 2022
This is a book which argues the opposite of its title. It insists that people cannot live without God and that Science and morality does not make sense in a naturalistic atheistic worldview.
What the book does well is to make available a wide range of quotes and reported views of prominent thinkers from the last century or so. Around 15% of the book is footnotes and there are quoted extracts in the body of the argument. This is well researched and the selected quotes present a comprehensive overview of prominent theists and atheists.
What the book does less well is to present a ‘strawman’ version of Atheism and Humanism. It essentially argues that people have no objective morality without God. It seems to believe that there is no (objective) way of getting the Humanists’ moral ‘ought’ from the ‘is’ of a naturalistic world.
But that overlooks the long tradition of Natural Law ethics, which purports to do precisely what the book says is impossible. The author may believe that Natural Law ethics is wrong, but he hasn’t argued that. And so there is a significant hole in the book’s argument.
There is also an over-confidence in the appeal to theism for delivering objective moral norms, particularly to the Christianity which the author focuses upon. This is because the author glosses over the problem of ‘interpretation’ (30%) without engaging with it, and without recognising the seriousness of its challenge to claims of objectivity.
Some Christians believe abortion is right and some believe it is wrong. All Christians used to be against homosexuality. Now, some are and some aren’t. (Etc.) Due (arguably) to Christian disunity, Christians interpret God’s morality in wildly different ways. So how can the author claim that (Christian) theism gives access to objective morality? Even if there are God given objective moral norms, how are Christians supposed to interpret revelation to spot them? Without a mechanism for clarifying a ‘one true’ interpretation, aren’t Christians just as lost as atheists in their own sea of subjectivity (or “intuition” as the author calls it in the final chapter)?
Underlying the book’s argument seems to be an (implicit) commitment to a Plantingan epistemology. Thus some Christians are just inspired by God, to directly know God’s existence and the objective moral norms. Atheists (and other Christians who interpret things differently) are all wrong. Nobody can argue or prove this, because knowledge of the true faith is just an intuition welling up inside the select few who are fortunate enough to have access to it.
As a model of religion, this is the subjectivity which ends up being the zealots charter beneath almost every form of religious extremism in the world. Some readers will no doubt see those implications in the book’s argument as potentially an argument for atheism, rather than the theism which the book presents.
Overall, the book gives a good survey of issues and arguments, but in places it demolishes a ‘straw’ opponent and then appeals to religious subjectivity to avoid the subjectivity which atheism falls into.
What the book does well is to make available a wide range of quotes and reported views of prominent thinkers from the last century or so. Around 15% of the book is footnotes and there are quoted extracts in the body of the argument. This is well researched and the selected quotes present a comprehensive overview of prominent theists and atheists.
What the book does less well is to present a ‘strawman’ version of Atheism and Humanism. It essentially argues that people have no objective morality without God. It seems to believe that there is no (objective) way of getting the Humanists’ moral ‘ought’ from the ‘is’ of a naturalistic world.
But that overlooks the long tradition of Natural Law ethics, which purports to do precisely what the book says is impossible. The author may believe that Natural Law ethics is wrong, but he hasn’t argued that. And so there is a significant hole in the book’s argument.
There is also an over-confidence in the appeal to theism for delivering objective moral norms, particularly to the Christianity which the author focuses upon. This is because the author glosses over the problem of ‘interpretation’ (30%) without engaging with it, and without recognising the seriousness of its challenge to claims of objectivity.
Some Christians believe abortion is right and some believe it is wrong. All Christians used to be against homosexuality. Now, some are and some aren’t. (Etc.) Due (arguably) to Christian disunity, Christians interpret God’s morality in wildly different ways. So how can the author claim that (Christian) theism gives access to objective morality? Even if there are God given objective moral norms, how are Christians supposed to interpret revelation to spot them? Without a mechanism for clarifying a ‘one true’ interpretation, aren’t Christians just as lost as atheists in their own sea of subjectivity (or “intuition” as the author calls it in the final chapter)?
Underlying the book’s argument seems to be an (implicit) commitment to a Plantingan epistemology. Thus some Christians are just inspired by God, to directly know God’s existence and the objective moral norms. Atheists (and other Christians who interpret things differently) are all wrong. Nobody can argue or prove this, because knowledge of the true faith is just an intuition welling up inside the select few who are fortunate enough to have access to it.
As a model of religion, this is the subjectivity which ends up being the zealots charter beneath almost every form of religious extremism in the world. Some readers will no doubt see those implications in the book’s argument as potentially an argument for atheism, rather than the theism which the book presents.
Overall, the book gives a good survey of issues and arguments, but in places it demolishes a ‘straw’ opponent and then appeals to religious subjectivity to avoid the subjectivity which atheism falls into.
November 1, 2020
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review,
Without God: Science, Belief, Morality, and the Meaning of Life is written and narrated by Zachary Broom. In this work, Broom poses arguments that individuals have with the Christian faith, and he refutes them with Biblical passages, expert sources and personal reasoning. These resources come together to create a strong argument for belief in the Christian God. He narrates the book with a passion and articulation that's not always present among authors who narrate their work.
Zachary Broom breaks down the most popular anti-Christian arguments by chapter. These topics include the problem of evil, self-evident truths, the credibility of the Bible and the basis for morality. He refutes each issue with a generous number of quotes and arguments from atheists, agnostics and humanists, including Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins. He also includes citations from Christian apologetics, like Josh McDowell and Timothy Keller, and famed authors, like Fyodor Dostoevsky and C.S. Lewis, These sources all lend credibility to his work; it's clear he took the time and effort to thoroughly research arguments both for and against Christianity. And although he uses some personal beliefs and experiences to back up his claims, he never relies on them too heavily.
A quality author is not always the best individual to narrate their work, but Broom does an excellent job here. His narration is precise, articulate and clear. He flows smoothly through each sentence, while never stuttering or hesitating through difficult passages. He brings a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to this work, It's obvious that he cares deeply about the subject matter. Pronunciation of some words and names is one of the only areas where he could improve (fyodor dostoevsky and The Brothers Karamazov, for example). Nonetheless, he's a solid narrator for this book.
If you're a Christian, Without God is an excellent way for you to dig into the depths of your beliefs and alleviate your doubts. If you're an atheist, humanist or agnostic, or if you don't believe that the Christian faith has any basis, this book will open your mind to new arguments and beliefs. I strongly believe it's in everyone's best interest to test your beliefs and face your doubts, and this book is a great way of doing that. Broom includes numerous sources, arguments and quotes that lend to excellent discussion and contemplation. And he keeps things interesting with his compelling narration. I highly recommend Without God.
Without God: Science, Belief, Morality, and the Meaning of Life is written and narrated by Zachary Broom. In this work, Broom poses arguments that individuals have with the Christian faith, and he refutes them with Biblical passages, expert sources and personal reasoning. These resources come together to create a strong argument for belief in the Christian God. He narrates the book with a passion and articulation that's not always present among authors who narrate their work.
Zachary Broom breaks down the most popular anti-Christian arguments by chapter. These topics include the problem of evil, self-evident truths, the credibility of the Bible and the basis for morality. He refutes each issue with a generous number of quotes and arguments from atheists, agnostics and humanists, including Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins. He also includes citations from Christian apologetics, like Josh McDowell and Timothy Keller, and famed authors, like Fyodor Dostoevsky and C.S. Lewis, These sources all lend credibility to his work; it's clear he took the time and effort to thoroughly research arguments both for and against Christianity. And although he uses some personal beliefs and experiences to back up his claims, he never relies on them too heavily.
A quality author is not always the best individual to narrate their work, but Broom does an excellent job here. His narration is precise, articulate and clear. He flows smoothly through each sentence, while never stuttering or hesitating through difficult passages. He brings a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to this work, It's obvious that he cares deeply about the subject matter. Pronunciation of some words and names is one of the only areas where he could improve (fyodor dostoevsky and The Brothers Karamazov, for example). Nonetheless, he's a solid narrator for this book.
If you're a Christian, Without God is an excellent way for you to dig into the depths of your beliefs and alleviate your doubts. If you're an atheist, humanist or agnostic, or if you don't believe that the Christian faith has any basis, this book will open your mind to new arguments and beliefs. I strongly believe it's in everyone's best interest to test your beliefs and face your doubts, and this book is a great way of doing that. Broom includes numerous sources, arguments and quotes that lend to excellent discussion and contemplation. And he keeps things interesting with his compelling narration. I highly recommend Without God.
April 7, 2022
Do you believe we are created by God and are moving to a life after this one/ If so, or not, this is an interesting, but heavy read, comparing various philosophies of faith. While there are deep references and quotes from famous philosophers and the bible, supporting the author's belief that life does have a purpose and is a creation of a higher power, call it God, the logical comparisons can be pretty deep at times in this excellent collection of philosophical comparisons. I found it difficult at times to stay fully focused and can't claim to understand all of it, the arguments for and against a God belief and atheism certainly will exercise the mind in trying to follow. Having admitted that, I highly recommend this reading for the inquiring mind, just be prepared to do some heavy weight lifting in its reading, but well worth the effort. Don't expect to be using 'speed reading' if you are going to get the most out of this thought-provoking treatise.
December 17, 2019
The author clearly has read from a number of different sources in working on this book. He frequently references and quotes a variety of people from various backgrounds. I always appreciate when people take time share their faith and could clearly see that the author desires for people to come to know Jesus. Sometimes he sounded too much like William Lane Craig or the Intelligent Design proponents from the Discovery Institute. I wished he had defined several of his terms more precisely, some were used differently than how I often see them defined. My favorite chapter in the book was the chapter on pain and suffering. The arguments for the existence of God were weaker arguments than some that I have heard and I didn’t find them very compelling. For example, the argument for irreducible complexity is a God of the gaps argument and has been debunked. I did like how the author emphasized that it is the object of our faith rather than the certainty of our faith that matters most. It’s a good book and similar to others I have read on this topic.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the audio version of this book. I was asked (but not required) to give my honest review. I do not know the author.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the audio version of this book. I was asked (but not required) to give my honest review. I do not know the author.
June 24, 2022
Without God is a book that I would recommend to anyone seeking to read on the issue of both Christianity and Atheism, and how their teachings and beliefs correlate with the natural world around us. Broom approaches the issue of the book from the Christian perspective, and aims to show why Christianity is more compatible with science than atheism. Though arguing against, Broom does a fair job of representing the atheist views in an honest way, rather than strawmanning it. Broom draws the different arguments from some of the most qualified minds, including Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, William Lane Craig, C.S. Lewis, and Timothy Keller. The book is valuable for both the religious and nonreligious, causing readers to think more critically of their belief system, and having a more accurate understanding of what the opposition believes.
April 16, 2020
A compelling book!
A guide for the Christian who may have doubts from time to time about his faith. Also recommended for those who want more evidence or reason to believe in God. I enjoyed the process where Broom takes you step by step to the ultimate realization that faith in our Lord is the only rational, logical conclusion.
A guide for the Christian who may have doubts from time to time about his faith. Also recommended for those who want more evidence or reason to believe in God. I enjoyed the process where Broom takes you step by step to the ultimate realization that faith in our Lord is the only rational, logical conclusion.
April 11, 2025
An Unflinching Gaze Into the Real
Either there is nothing or there is Someone. That is the ultimate existential choice. I believe in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ because the opposite choice isn’t Zeus or Baal; it’s NOTHING. After further review, I concluded long ago that nothing was not a sustainable reason to live or to love. God is.
Either there is nothing or there is Someone. That is the ultimate existential choice. I believe in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ because the opposite choice isn’t Zeus or Baal; it’s NOTHING. After further review, I concluded long ago that nothing was not a sustainable reason to live or to love. God is.
February 25, 2021
From a different angle
Can be a bit difficult to get through some times but stick with it. If you find yourself trying to give sensible answers to explain why you believe in God, or just understand why you yourself believe in God . Then this is the book to read. Excellent
Can be a bit difficult to get through some times but stick with it. If you find yourself trying to give sensible answers to explain why you believe in God, or just understand why you yourself believe in God . Then this is the book to read. Excellent
August 6, 2022
Worthwhile reading
Even at 87 years old I found this book very challenging and worthwhile reading. I admit though that I'll need to re-read some of the chapters again.
Even at 87 years old I found this book very challenging and worthwhile reading. I admit though that I'll need to re-read some of the chapters again.
September 7, 2022
Perfect book for anyone thinking about leaving the church.
May 21, 2025
fantasy dressed up as science.
Don’t be fooled by the title of this book. The guys is a Christian apologist and makes lots of generalisations without regard for the facts.
Don’t be fooled by the title of this book. The guys is a Christian apologist and makes lots of generalisations without regard for the facts.
July 2, 2025
Excellent dive into apologetics in a way that doesn't feel like you're being preached at! Highly recommend.
November 25, 2023
Take it with a pinch of salt.
Author has strong biases, so he generalises and aims to promote Christianity. All of the references as well as arguments highlight the great value of faith missing to consider truly challenging opposite opinions. Conclusions are often drawn without proper foundation and some of the information in the book contradicts itself. It often seems like Mr. Broom tweaks facts and tries to devalue everything but religion to make it look more credible.
This book is not based on or driven by actual data, instead author tries to use a few heartbreaking stories to teach morale but missing to link it to any particular point.
No other faiths are taken into consideration which turns this book into propaganda for Christianity rather than anything else. Yet, no matter what your stand on religion is, it’s an interesting read that can give glimpses of different perspectives that you can research separately if interested.
Author has strong biases, so he generalises and aims to promote Christianity. All of the references as well as arguments highlight the great value of faith missing to consider truly challenging opposite opinions. Conclusions are often drawn without proper foundation and some of the information in the book contradicts itself. It often seems like Mr. Broom tweaks facts and tries to devalue everything but religion to make it look more credible.
This book is not based on or driven by actual data, instead author tries to use a few heartbreaking stories to teach morale but missing to link it to any particular point.
No other faiths are taken into consideration which turns this book into propaganda for Christianity rather than anything else. Yet, no matter what your stand on religion is, it’s an interesting read that can give glimpses of different perspectives that you can research separately if interested.
November 20, 2019
This book was chock full of viewpoints and arguments from believers of Christ, atheists, and some agnostics. The author tries to dispel numerous arguments against Christianity and the belief in God. I found both sides of each argument compelling. The ultimate goal of the book was to sway atheists toward theism using science and their own arguments against them. While this book might not be my cup of tea exactly it did leave me with food for thought. To give this book its best read I would buy a physical copy of it. The book inundates you with quote upon quote and it'd be nice to look back at them. Overall I'm glad I read this book and would recommend it to friends at minimum it provides many talking points for discussion on theology.
November 16, 2019
Excellently written. Ironing out of some complex philosophical debate topics. Once again, He prevails!
November 14, 2019
I recently completed the Audible version of Without God by Zachary Broom. I found his presentation of the positives and negatives of Christian and secular perspectives on God to be refreshing. As a Christian I could find various perspectives that I could identify with. Now do I think this book would convert anyone who is an Atheist...most likely not but it does help Christians to provide a defense for what we believe in.
Overall I debated giving this book 4 or 5 stars. As another reviewer had pointed out, it is a lot of information to take in as an Audible book and my personal taste and style found the last few chapters more engaging than the first few. In the end I went with 5 stars because I figured the format I absorbed the content in was my choice, so I shouldn't blame the author and some people may find the beginning more engaging, it is all just a matter of preference.
Overall I debated giving this book 4 or 5 stars. As another reviewer had pointed out, it is a lot of information to take in as an Audible book and my personal taste and style found the last few chapters more engaging than the first few. In the end I went with 5 stars because I figured the format I absorbed the content in was my choice, so I shouldn't blame the author and some people may find the beginning more engaging, it is all just a matter of preference.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews