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God Hates You, Hate Him Back: Making Sense of the Bible
"This book absolutely crucifies the argument for a benevolent creator. What's more, it uses the creationist's most-cited source to do it." - dailyatheist.net God Hates You, Hate Him Back makes the ultimate case for the claim that the God of the Bible is
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 9, 2010
“If you will not give glory unto my name saith the LORD ...I will spread dung upon your faces.” (Malachi 2:2-3 NIV)
Out of all the atheist books I’ve read, CJ Werleman’s God Hates You is unique in that it’s a critical study and summary of the Bible itself. Basically Werleman provides a critical study and summary of each book of the Bible to support his claim that the fictional character God has utter disdain for the human race.
I really have to thank Werleman (whom is someone I follow on Twitter) for writing this book, because I probably will never again read the Bible, certainly not cover to cover. Sure, Werleman has an atheist bias in writing his critical summary, but having read the book myself many years ago, and heard it talked about in churches, I don’t think his critiques are an over-generalization. I don’t think most people find the Bible inspiring, because I would wager that most people don't read it, except perhaps biblical scholars and some pastors. Most people simply rely on the selected verses conveyed to them by their preachers, and that’s as for as it gets. The fundamentalist believers who supposably take a literal interpretation of the Bible probably do read it, but they read with much hatred in their heart. Werleman is so correct when says you’ll find more inspiration in Chicken Soup books than you will find in the Bible.
Werleman quotes from other well know atheist authors, but don’t think his book is like there’s. He’s not talking religion and religious belief, he’s critiquing the source from which Judaism and Christianity derive. He has written the book for the general reader with intellect. Even though scientists like Dawkins and Victor Stenger critique religion from a scientific point of view—and they do that well—I don't think a scientific analysis argues against religion as well a critique of the Bible and the history of religion itself. It is the religious texts and the institutions of religions, and indeed the ideology of monotheistic beliefs that have enough inherent contradictions and fallacies that should cause anyone who critically reads the literature to seriously question authenticity the texts and the institutions.
Now one might ask, why if you‘re an atheist why would you even read about religion? Well for me it’s because religion is part of the human condition. It’s had a great impact on how we human beings have evolved, so of course I’m interested in how religions came about and why people believe the way they do. Just as I am interested in what scientists have discovered about our existence and the existence of the universe.
So yes, God Hates You is well worth reading. It’s easy to read, funny, and you’re will learn some information about the Bible that you’ve probably never read or heard of before. Now having read this book, I’m interested in reading more about the history of the Bible and Christian religion itself. Werleman points out some history, but of course the book would have been three or four times longer if he had tried to include that history alongside his critique of the book.
I’m also interested in what the Koran has to say but I think I’ll wait to see if Werleman writes a Allah Hates You book so as to save me the trouble of having to read the Koran. Something tells me that it is just uninspiring as the Bible.
Out of all the atheist books I’ve read, CJ Werleman’s God Hates You is unique in that it’s a critical study and summary of the Bible itself. Basically Werleman provides a critical study and summary of each book of the Bible to support his claim that the fictional character God has utter disdain for the human race.
I really have to thank Werleman (whom is someone I follow on Twitter) for writing this book, because I probably will never again read the Bible, certainly not cover to cover. Sure, Werleman has an atheist bias in writing his critical summary, but having read the book myself many years ago, and heard it talked about in churches, I don’t think his critiques are an over-generalization. I don’t think most people find the Bible inspiring, because I would wager that most people don't read it, except perhaps biblical scholars and some pastors. Most people simply rely on the selected verses conveyed to them by their preachers, and that’s as for as it gets. The fundamentalist believers who supposably take a literal interpretation of the Bible probably do read it, but they read with much hatred in their heart. Werleman is so correct when says you’ll find more inspiration in Chicken Soup books than you will find in the Bible.
Werleman quotes from other well know atheist authors, but don’t think his book is like there’s. He’s not talking religion and religious belief, he’s critiquing the source from which Judaism and Christianity derive. He has written the book for the general reader with intellect. Even though scientists like Dawkins and Victor Stenger critique religion from a scientific point of view—and they do that well—I don't think a scientific analysis argues against religion as well a critique of the Bible and the history of religion itself. It is the religious texts and the institutions of religions, and indeed the ideology of monotheistic beliefs that have enough inherent contradictions and fallacies that should cause anyone who critically reads the literature to seriously question authenticity the texts and the institutions.
Now one might ask, why if you‘re an atheist why would you even read about religion? Well for me it’s because religion is part of the human condition. It’s had a great impact on how we human beings have evolved, so of course I’m interested in how religions came about and why people believe the way they do. Just as I am interested in what scientists have discovered about our existence and the existence of the universe.
So yes, God Hates You is well worth reading. It’s easy to read, funny, and you’re will learn some information about the Bible that you’ve probably never read or heard of before. Now having read this book, I’m interested in reading more about the history of the Bible and Christian religion itself. Werleman points out some history, but of course the book would have been three or four times longer if he had tried to include that history alongside his critique of the book.
I’m also interested in what the Koran has to say but I think I’ll wait to see if Werleman writes a Allah Hates You book so as to save me the trouble of having to read the Koran. Something tells me that it is just uninspiring as the Bible.
September 29, 2012
The idea behind God Hates You, Hate Him Back is a good one – basically Werleman steps through the books of the bible providing color-commentary on the many atrocities found therein (as well as a body count tally of those God murders). The book (like the one he ridicules) is broken into two sections (old and new testaments).
Describing the old testament, there are some occasionally amusing sections but given the rich material and moronic nature of much of the book (I mean, where else are you going to find two she-bears to tear apart 42 kids for calling Elisha “bald head”), it could have been far better. Part of the problem with this half of both books is that the old testament is a terrible bore full of genealogies, made up histories and half-baked fairy tales. Even though Werleman attempts to describe each chapter in a lively fashion, he is not able to overcome the dreadful mire of the subject matter.
The book improves with the new testament and Werleman does a nice job pointing out the many factual errors, glaring discrepancies and internally inconsistent passages.
Although mediocre overall, one thing that Werleman makes abundantly clear is that, far from a work of an omnipotent being, the bible is a cobbled together document written by all too human iron-age people with no concept of fact checking. If more people actually read the book in which they purported believe, people would see this for themselves and religion would begin to play less of a role in our culture.
Describing the old testament, there are some occasionally amusing sections but given the rich material and moronic nature of much of the book (I mean, where else are you going to find two she-bears to tear apart 42 kids for calling Elisha “bald head”), it could have been far better. Part of the problem with this half of both books is that the old testament is a terrible bore full of genealogies, made up histories and half-baked fairy tales. Even though Werleman attempts to describe each chapter in a lively fashion, he is not able to overcome the dreadful mire of the subject matter.
The book improves with the new testament and Werleman does a nice job pointing out the many factual errors, glaring discrepancies and internally inconsistent passages.
Although mediocre overall, one thing that Werleman makes abundantly clear is that, far from a work of an omnipotent being, the bible is a cobbled together document written by all too human iron-age people with no concept of fact checking. If more people actually read the book in which they purported believe, people would see this for themselves and religion would begin to play less of a role in our culture.
January 4, 2012
I have some mixed feelings about this book. Let me start with the negative and get it out of the way. It is a very dense book in terms of the text. This does make it a bit difficult to read unless you do so in small segments as the text is a bit on the heavy side. That the book's layout is a bit cluttered (visually speaking, not much white space) does not help neither.
Now, leaving that aside, this is a book that is a must read. This is the book you need for when some Christian apologist, especially of the zealous fundamentalist type, comes along to harass you or try to impose the myth of his sky fairy on you. This is the book that will help you basically answer the guy and send him probably wishing he could convert to some other deity or just none at all. The book basically uses the Bible against itself. Werleman does one hell of a job taking the Bible apart, book by book, to show all the flaws, myths, twisted logic, errors, inconsistencies, and just right out things that are wrong or immoral. If I read this, and I was a Christian, I would be ashamed to show my face in polite company. Basically, folks should read the Bible for the cultural awareness (whether we like it or not, the big book is a big part of common culture). And after you read the Bible, you read Werleman's book as a cleanser. Overall, the best use of this book is as a reference book and ammunition against apologists. They want to cite Exodus? Go find the section in this book on Exodus to refute and counter. This is a book to keep right next to your Bible. I just wish the writing was a little less dense at times.
Now, leaving that aside, this is a book that is a must read. This is the book you need for when some Christian apologist, especially of the zealous fundamentalist type, comes along to harass you or try to impose the myth of his sky fairy on you. This is the book that will help you basically answer the guy and send him probably wishing he could convert to some other deity or just none at all. The book basically uses the Bible against itself. Werleman does one hell of a job taking the Bible apart, book by book, to show all the flaws, myths, twisted logic, errors, inconsistencies, and just right out things that are wrong or immoral. If I read this, and I was a Christian, I would be ashamed to show my face in polite company. Basically, folks should read the Bible for the cultural awareness (whether we like it or not, the big book is a big part of common culture). And after you read the Bible, you read Werleman's book as a cleanser. Overall, the best use of this book is as a reference book and ammunition against apologists. They want to cite Exodus? Go find the section in this book on Exodus to refute and counter. This is a book to keep right next to your Bible. I just wish the writing was a little less dense at times.
June 25, 2011
CJ Werleman uses his wit and humor to go over all sixty-six books or chapters of the bible.
He uses a unique perspective to give you an honest explanation of each chapter. In a funny, irreverent kind of way it inspires you to question not only the veracity of the bible but its message. It also highlights a lot of eye-opening passages that should rock the foundation of any believer.
Positives:
1. Interesting
2. Humorous
3. Informative
4. Irreverent tone
5. Enlightening
6. Inspirational
Negatives:
1. No Table of Contents (kindle version)??
2. The use of more lists would have been helpful
In summary, it was a fun and informative read. I highly recommend it.
He uses a unique perspective to give you an honest explanation of each chapter. In a funny, irreverent kind of way it inspires you to question not only the veracity of the bible but its message. It also highlights a lot of eye-opening passages that should rock the foundation of any believer.
Positives:
1. Interesting
2. Humorous
3. Informative
4. Irreverent tone
5. Enlightening
6. Inspirational
Negatives:
1. No Table of Contents (kindle version)??
2. The use of more lists would have been helpful
In summary, it was a fun and informative read. I highly recommend it.
September 17, 2016
This is one of the finer book reports on the sixty books about the bible I have ever read.
And given that my dad have me an eBook of this title, I had no expectations at all.
Just like the book cover said, the humor is quite dry. And I did laugh at his chapter comparing the books of the four apostles and note the contradictions. I don't think I'll forget Jesus riding three steeds anytime soon.
I would recommend this to anyone who has patience with analysis of old scrapbook stories. And reddit Atheists.
I'm going to find a way to throw money at the author for making me laugh. Cheers.
And given that my dad have me an eBook of this title, I had no expectations at all.
Just like the book cover said, the humor is quite dry. And I did laugh at his chapter comparing the books of the four apostles and note the contradictions. I don't think I'll forget Jesus riding three steeds anytime soon.
I would recommend this to anyone who has patience with analysis of old scrapbook stories. And reddit Atheists.
I'm going to find a way to throw money at the author for making me laugh. Cheers.
December 11, 2012
Hysterical. Showcases the absolute lunacy of the Old Testament. I kept thinking "God's Chosen People"? I'm glad he didn't choose me!!! You know all the stories, you are just afraid to admit how utterly ridiculous they are. C.J. Werleman is not afraid.
June 28, 2021
It is with the reading of this book that I truly realize how brainwashed I was as a kid.
Never has the violence and absurdity of the Bible been made more apparent. I am embarrassed that I was unaware of how nonsensical this text was when I was growing up. I am extremely grateful to Werleman for writing this book and for making such an excellent case for inconsistencies and barbarism.
Boy, and was it an eye opener to see how repetitive so many of these books became. "Oh no, heathens are a-coming to turn you away from the faith. Oh no, you've done something I don't like, I will wipe you out. Don't worry, keep faith in me, I'll save you." I want to fault the author for the repetition, but I CAN'T because it's from the source.
I also very much liked Werleman's summaries. I remember wading through the Bible on two occasions, and I am sure there was plenty I missed or didn't understand. I really appreciated the historical context and, well, the REASONABLE context concerning each book and story. It made the reading all that more interesting.
It's really unfortunate that this book will do so very little to inform religious folks. But it makes excellent research for atheists.
Never has the violence and absurdity of the Bible been made more apparent. I am embarrassed that I was unaware of how nonsensical this text was when I was growing up. I am extremely grateful to Werleman for writing this book and for making such an excellent case for inconsistencies and barbarism.
Boy, and was it an eye opener to see how repetitive so many of these books became. "Oh no, heathens are a-coming to turn you away from the faith. Oh no, you've done something I don't like, I will wipe you out. Don't worry, keep faith in me, I'll save you." I want to fault the author for the repetition, but I CAN'T because it's from the source.
I also very much liked Werleman's summaries. I remember wading through the Bible on two occasions, and I am sure there was plenty I missed or didn't understand. I really appreciated the historical context and, well, the REASONABLE context concerning each book and story. It made the reading all that more interesting.
It's really unfortunate that this book will do so very little to inform religious folks. But it makes excellent research for atheists.
May 8, 2015
Convincingly shows that the God of the Bible killed lots of people - he is hardly a model of morality.
November 7, 2014
Initially, before I'd read 15-20 pages I found myself getting downright angry. Furious! Not at the author. Yes, he has a special flavour of snark that takes some acclimatizating to, and some may never get there. But this God of the Christian Bible... It was like I had already hacked down the huge weed over recent years, but I needed to dig out the root. Reading through this book was like digging that out, revealing more and more of the root tendrils and how deeply pervasive the belief system had been indoctrinated into my mind as a child and as an adult. Not only that but to take it a few steps further and to see how deeply pervasive these beliefs have spread throughout society and the world!
I finally got past that emotional hurdle to realize that my anger was misdirected. The Bible, Christianity, was created by men. The God that pastors attempt to sell today is nothing like the God of the Bible. They conveniently ignore what isn't palatable about him which is pretty much everything!
There were many "ah HA!!" moments that I wished I had seen on my own years ago. I was so blind; never taught to question. Anyway, these various light bulb moments rocked my world. This book has had a far reaching affect on my life already and will continue to do so.
I know that this next statement may get a whole hell of a lot of flack, but after much reading and reflection I believe Christianity is the largest cult of all time. I could go through many reasons why I believe so, but I think the best way to explain why I believe this is to tell you to read this book. And don't be shy. Do your homework. Look up the passages. If something doesn't quite match up, check other versions or Google interpretations. Through innumerable translations things have changed over the years.
Before I read this book, I would have told you I was an atheist most days with a smattering of agnostic days thrown in for good measure. Those days are over.
If you are questioning the Bible or if you want to know more about the Bible, things your Christian friends or minister or pastor won't tell you, pick this book up. If you are a believer and are concerned that your faith could be shaken or are easily offended, I'd move along. You won't walk away from this book unchanged. Hell, you won't walk away from the Afterword unchanged.
I finally got past that emotional hurdle to realize that my anger was misdirected. The Bible, Christianity, was created by men. The God that pastors attempt to sell today is nothing like the God of the Bible. They conveniently ignore what isn't palatable about him which is pretty much everything!
There were many "ah HA!!" moments that I wished I had seen on my own years ago. I was so blind; never taught to question. Anyway, these various light bulb moments rocked my world. This book has had a far reaching affect on my life already and will continue to do so.
I know that this next statement may get a whole hell of a lot of flack, but after much reading and reflection I believe Christianity is the largest cult of all time. I could go through many reasons why I believe so, but I think the best way to explain why I believe this is to tell you to read this book. And don't be shy. Do your homework. Look up the passages. If something doesn't quite match up, check other versions or Google interpretations. Through innumerable translations things have changed over the years.
Before I read this book, I would have told you I was an atheist most days with a smattering of agnostic days thrown in for good measure. Those days are over.
If you are questioning the Bible or if you want to know more about the Bible, things your Christian friends or minister or pastor won't tell you, pick this book up. If you are a believer and are concerned that your faith could be shaken or are easily offended, I'd move along. You won't walk away from this book unchanged. Hell, you won't walk away from the Afterword unchanged.
March 15, 2012
The content of this book is great. Werleman breaks down the Christian bible, chapter by chapter, and summarizes it while pointing out the inconsistencies, the absurdities, and all of the many instances where the main characters (as it were) are genocidal, homophobic, misogynistic, misanthropic with humour and wit. I read the bible back in high school, and I was impressed by all the craziness I've either forgotten since then, or that went over my head the first time around, like the fact that no one is in heaven - according to scripture, it's empty until the second coming when everyone will be judged (which was supposed to happen during the lifetime of the original disciples).
However, the book could have used some more editing. For whatever reason, it seemed like the word "body" had been mass deleted from the majority of the book, leading to the impression that Werleman had forgotten a word every few pages, and a few of his quips were awkward.
Other than those minor complaints, the book was a great read. It doesn't set out to disprove the existence of a god, merely to point out the wackiness of the bible with humour as well as insight, and in that it succeeds
However, the book could have used some more editing. For whatever reason, it seemed like the word "body" had been mass deleted from the majority of the book, leading to the impression that Werleman had forgotten a word every few pages, and a few of his quips were awkward.
Other than those minor complaints, the book was a great read. It doesn't set out to disprove the existence of a god, merely to point out the wackiness of the bible with humour as well as insight, and in that it succeeds
December 17, 2013
I have read many books of Bible criticism and this is by far one of the best I have ever read. Mr. Werleman breaks down each book of the Bible. Each book is then restated in a humorous, modern-day, true to original version, untainted by the rosy-colored paint with which priests and politicians and fundamentalists have tried to cover them in attempts to Sesame Street their brutality and make them palatable to the people of today. God stands with machine gun in hand, figuratively speaking, ready to take out any who might get in his way (and even those who just get on his nerves) - just as he did around 2,500 years ago.
August 13, 2016
Having learned my catechism in the 1950’s as a Catholic we were never encouraged to read the Bible on our own, that was a practice for Protestants seeing how Protestants didn’t have the luxury of well-educated priests to interrupt it for them. So I must say I had never read the Bible, God Hates you Hate him back is a great Spark Notes version, it’s hilarious and in my opinion speaks the much needed truth to the much overblown power this book has had over people’s lives for far too many years.
dnf
November 25, 2017DNF
Hard to get past the bad humor and the author just sounds hateful and very angry. Not only that he just picks random bible verses from each of the chapters and says a few things then rushes to the next one. I guess I was just expecting a better written book and something more in depth then a few snide remarks.
Hard to get past the bad humor and the author just sounds hateful and very angry. Not only that he just picks random bible verses from each of the chapters and says a few things then rushes to the next one. I guess I was just expecting a better written book and something more in depth then a few snide remarks.
February 1, 2019
I could have done without the author's attempts at being funny. Other than that, a mediocre read.
May 17, 2020
Contains spoilers:
The God of the Old Testament is anything but loving. He is violent, misogynistic and genocidal. His pettiness would give the Greek deities a run for their money. Werleman fastidiously and exuberantly ridicules it all, from the seven-day creation to Adam and Eve, the Ten Commandments and everything in between. Take the parting of the Red Sea for instance. There is no archaeological evidence suggesting it happened, he states, and no record in Egyptian history, even though the Ancient Egyptians were fastidious documenters of events.
As for the New Testament, the details of Jesus’s birth are nothing new, we are told. The Ancient Egyptian god Horus was born on Christmas Day to a virgin. And then there are the miracles, or spurious claims as the author would have us believe. He mocks the wildly differing accounts of the Resurrection, and the crucifixion suffers the same fate. Were the three Marys really present at Christ’s death when no one was allowed in the crucifixion fields due to risk of the crucified being freed? And would Barabbas have been subjected to the same fate as Jesus? Thieves were not crucified under Roman law.
Why is it that Christians believe they will go to Heaven, when Paul himself wrote that only when Jesus returns to earth will the dead be raised? And why is Christianity not named ‘Paulanity’? The Apostle’s role in the disseminating of Jesus’s purported words and actions were more important to the burgeoning religion than anything Christ contributed, it could be argued.
And why doesn’t Jesus heal amputees? The author alleges that of the estimated fifty thousand in America at the time of writing, no new limbs had reappeared, this despite the fact many of the lost limb sufferers were Christians. One will never find a miracle without a coincidence the book claims, convincingly in this agnostic’s opinion.
Werleman’s constant puerile attempts at humour are irreverent and distracting. This reader would have preferred a more subtle approach. It does feel that much of this work consists of easy pickings. After all, how many sound-minded contemporary Christians take The Bible literally …? A fair number, alarmingly.
The God of the Old Testament is anything but loving. He is violent, misogynistic and genocidal. His pettiness would give the Greek deities a run for their money. Werleman fastidiously and exuberantly ridicules it all, from the seven-day creation to Adam and Eve, the Ten Commandments and everything in between. Take the parting of the Red Sea for instance. There is no archaeological evidence suggesting it happened, he states, and no record in Egyptian history, even though the Ancient Egyptians were fastidious documenters of events.
As for the New Testament, the details of Jesus’s birth are nothing new, we are told. The Ancient Egyptian god Horus was born on Christmas Day to a virgin. And then there are the miracles, or spurious claims as the author would have us believe. He mocks the wildly differing accounts of the Resurrection, and the crucifixion suffers the same fate. Were the three Marys really present at Christ’s death when no one was allowed in the crucifixion fields due to risk of the crucified being freed? And would Barabbas have been subjected to the same fate as Jesus? Thieves were not crucified under Roman law.
Why is it that Christians believe they will go to Heaven, when Paul himself wrote that only when Jesus returns to earth will the dead be raised? And why is Christianity not named ‘Paulanity’? The Apostle’s role in the disseminating of Jesus’s purported words and actions were more important to the burgeoning religion than anything Christ contributed, it could be argued.
And why doesn’t Jesus heal amputees? The author alleges that of the estimated fifty thousand in America at the time of writing, no new limbs had reappeared, this despite the fact many of the lost limb sufferers were Christians. One will never find a miracle without a coincidence the book claims, convincingly in this agnostic’s opinion.
Werleman’s constant puerile attempts at humour are irreverent and distracting. This reader would have preferred a more subtle approach. It does feel that much of this work consists of easy pickings. After all, how many sound-minded contemporary Christians take The Bible literally …? A fair number, alarmingly.
October 28, 2013
Ok. yes I know the title is off-putting. It is meant to be because this is satire. Basically one atheist's look at the Bible...chapter by chapter.
Mostly fairly dry reading punctuated by some rib-splittingly humorous observations, it does make you stop and ask yourself how there can be so much violence in a book supposedly dedicated to peace. As an atheist myself that is not really for me to wrestle with however!
Anyway, can't say it was the best written book I have ever read, but if you atheists out there find yourself in an argument with a bible literalist this work will surely provide you all the ammo you need!
Mostly fairly dry reading punctuated by some rib-splittingly humorous observations, it does make you stop and ask yourself how there can be so much violence in a book supposedly dedicated to peace. As an atheist myself that is not really for me to wrestle with however!
Anyway, can't say it was the best written book I have ever read, but if you atheists out there find yourself in an argument with a bible literalist this work will surely provide you all the ammo you need!
November 23, 2012
Good start but the second half of the analysis of the Old Testament is very dry.
During the Old Testament the author keeps a track of deaths caused by God. It's a good idea, but it's full of errors. For a couple of examples:
- The total at the end of Genesis is wrong.
- Samson is wrongly called Solomon in Judges.
- Some deaths mentioned in the text are missing in the total and vise versa.
I liked this as a humorous summery of the Bible - but it's not perfect.
During the Old Testament the author keeps a track of deaths caused by God. It's a good idea, but it's full of errors. For a couple of examples:
- The total at the end of Genesis is wrong.
- Samson is wrongly called Solomon in Judges.
- Some deaths mentioned in the text are missing in the total and vise versa.
I liked this as a humorous summery of the Bible - but it's not perfect.
April 19, 2014
The author examines every book of the NIV bible and points out the contradictions, plagiarisms, and the horrible actions of the old testament god.
Besides all that, it is like reading a condensed version of all the unfamiliar books in the bible that no one reads.
I recommend this book as it is quite an eye opener, but it will be offensive to many people because of the sarcastic tone of the writing and the odd bit of x rated humour.
Besides all that, it is like reading a condensed version of all the unfamiliar books in the bible that no one reads.
I recommend this book as it is quite an eye opener, but it will be offensive to many people because of the sarcastic tone of the writing and the odd bit of x rated humour.
August 5, 2011
I read bible at age of sixteen right after I finished reading Lord of the Rings (and Silmarilion) and Frank Herbert's Dune series. So my impression of Holy Book was somewhat similar to what Author wrote.
Book is well paced with bits of humor and reason in it, and I finoshed it in one night. However it's a vit over simplified text, so four stars.
Book is well paced with bits of humor and reason in it, and I finoshed it in one night. However it's a vit over simplified text, so four stars.
June 24, 2017
A somewhat comic look at the Old and New Testament from an atheist's point of view. He examines the contradictions found in the Bible, the blood thirsty nature of God by keeping a body count, and he debunks some of the common myths about the Bible.
If you are a Christian, it would be an interesting book to read.
If you are a Christian, it would be an interesting book to read.
July 7, 2017
This book won't convince anyone who is religious, and to the rest of us this is just preaching to the choir. But it is a pretty fun read, if a bit overly sarcastic at times.
And the Bible must be one of the most vile, repugnant books ever written. I'm generally against any violence against books, but this ghastly thing deserves to be purged from the planet.
And the Bible must be one of the most vile, repugnant books ever written. I'm generally against any violence against books, but this ghastly thing deserves to be purged from the planet.
January 11, 2011
Very useful book if one wish to argue with religious fanatics, although I recommend to person to compare citations with the Bible, since some things are taken out of the contest. But majority is on the spot.
December 21, 2009
Very enjoyable read IF on the proviso you are not a big fan of Jesus and his dad!!
Three of my friends have read my copy and all have loved it. So there is a recommendation for you.
Three of my friends have read my copy and all have loved it. So there is a recommendation for you.
August 9, 2011
Very Funny! I enjoyed the running body count.
July 2, 2019
Great book. I want to read it again. Makes you see things in an interesting way.
January 17, 2014
This might be the best ever title for a book. I took 17,814 words of notes (copying and pasting from Kindle). It is packed with hilariously presented, bulletproof facts to keep the godly at bay.
I was brought up by a Bible-bashing father, and am an ex-Christian atheist myself. It would break my Dad's heart if he knew I had read this. I wish he would read it.
As Werleman points out: most Christians will have heard only the hand-picked verses preached in church. "Sound-bites sell because most people don't have time to drill deep into the heart of the issues." Well, Werleman has drilled deep. He lays bare the lies of a loving God and of gentle Jesus. We see the vengefulness, genocide, racism, homophobia, misogyny, ethnic cleansing, infanticide, and the support of slavery.
As well as the wickedness contained in the Bible, Werleman highlights the large number of contradictions and fallacies. He combs mercilessly through every book of the Old and New Testaments. This is an amazing accomplishment, one for which I am extremely grateful.
I was brought up by a Bible-bashing father, and am an ex-Christian atheist myself. It would break my Dad's heart if he knew I had read this. I wish he would read it.
As Werleman points out: most Christians will have heard only the hand-picked verses preached in church. "Sound-bites sell because most people don't have time to drill deep into the heart of the issues." Well, Werleman has drilled deep. He lays bare the lies of a loving God and of gentle Jesus. We see the vengefulness, genocide, racism, homophobia, misogyny, ethnic cleansing, infanticide, and the support of slavery.
As well as the wickedness contained in the Bible, Werleman highlights the large number of contradictions and fallacies. He combs mercilessly through every book of the Old and New Testaments. This is an amazing accomplishment, one for which I am extremely grateful.
February 20, 2016
Werleman does what honest religious people do (I have to give them that): interpret the bible literally, no cherry-picking. Only to fight them. It is amazing how many people that claim to be religious have not read the book that guides their principles and actions. "Let us take care of understanding that complicated book, you just go to mass and listen to us telling you what you want to hear. You do not have the tools to understand it, we have a direct line to god."
Werleman saves readers a lot of time (and disgust), and explains in plain English what each chapter is about, and highlights the nonsense that it says, questioning the morality of those primitive desert tribes many people follow without questioning them.
I liked the book, it is funny, and most of all, true. Of course, believers will say he is angry. I am sure he is, as we all are with all this nonsense still wandering people's heads, right in the XXI century :S
Werleman saves readers a lot of time (and disgust), and explains in plain English what each chapter is about, and highlights the nonsense that it says, questioning the morality of those primitive desert tribes many people follow without questioning them.
I liked the book, it is funny, and most of all, true. Of course, believers will say he is angry. I am sure he is, as we all are with all this nonsense still wandering people's heads, right in the XXI century :S
December 21, 2019
I've been reading this out of order, which is entirely OK. It is an intelligent deconstruction of the Bible, and entirely hilarious in how it does this. All the questions I have had about the veracity of the Judeo-Christian God were addressed, and then some.
I actually prefer this style of argument over those of the late Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins - as both these men can often sound contemptuous and snobbish. To really convey ideas, I believe you need to respect the reader/listener, and Werleman does this.
Read this book. God wants you to.
I actually prefer this style of argument over those of the late Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins - as both these men can often sound contemptuous and snobbish. To really convey ideas, I believe you need to respect the reader/listener, and Werleman does this.
Read this book. God wants you to.
December 22, 2009
I'm about 75% through this book. So take that into consideration for my rating:
POSITIVE POINTS:
1. First book I've read that has made the Bible entertaining and easy to comprehend.
2. Very well researched.
3. Strong argumentative points.
4. First time I've heard some of the arguments/points
NEGATIVE POINTS:
1. Some (not all) jokes are a bit juvenile.
2. Profanity.
If not for the above two points I would have given 5 stars.
POSITIVE POINTS:
1. First book I've read that has made the Bible entertaining and easy to comprehend.
2. Very well researched.
3. Strong argumentative points.
4. First time I've heard some of the arguments/points
NEGATIVE POINTS:
1. Some (not all) jokes are a bit juvenile.
2. Profanity.
If not for the above two points I would have given 5 stars.
February 5, 2011
The book in general does an interesting analysis about the books of the Bible. But I found that some of the collected evidence was based on just one translation of the Bible (I have a Bible in Spanish, since is main main language) and some of the contradictions that he points out does not exists in my Spanish version nor other versions I found online. Of course, the general idea about blood and misogyny in the Bible are explained in a funny and clear way.
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