What do you think?
Rate this book
God and His Demons
A noted author and activist brings his critical acumen and rhetorical skills to bear in this polemic against the dark side of religion. Unlike some popular works by stridently outspoken atheists, this is not a blanket condemnation of all believers. Rather the author's focus is the heartless exploitation of faithful followers by those in power, as well as sectarian intolerance, the violence against heretics and nonbelievers, and the reactionary political and economic collusion that has often prevailed between the upper echelons of church and state. Parenti notes the deleterious effects of past theocracies and the threat to our freedoms posed by present-day fundamentalists and theocratic reactionaries. He discusses how socially conscious and egalitarian minded liberal religionists have often been isolated and marginalized by their more conservative (and better financed) coreligionists. Finally, he documents the growing strength of secular freethinkers who are doing battle against the intolerant theocratic usurpers in public life.Historically anchored yet sharply focused on the contemporary scene, this eloquent indictment of religion's dangers will be welcomed by committed secular laypersons and progressive religionists alike.
284 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
24 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Michael Parenti
54 books1,490 followersMichael John Parenti, Ph.D. (Yale University) is an American political scientist, academic historian and cultural critic who writes on scholarly and popular subjects. He has taught at universities as well as run for political office. Parenti is well known for his Marxist writings and lectures. He is a notable intellectual of the American Left and he is most known for his criticism of capitalism and American foreign policy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 14, 2023
For at least the first half of the book Parenti has a light, entertaining touch, noting for example that in many respects “God is an underachiever.” In some places it’s hilarious, as when Jimmy Swaggart pauses in the middle of a sermon to announce, “Hold on, God is telling me something.” Only towards the book’s end does serious condemnation of cruelty and hypocrisy predominate. Overall, Parenti is an equal-opportunity abuser of abuse, denouncing inhumanity among Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, etc., including Jesus, Mother Teresa, and the Dalai Lama. Just to be fair, he pays some respect to whatever he finds helpful. Overall I found it good clean fun, at the expense of all whose aspiration to godliness leads to self-deification.
There's one thing outdated about the book. Back when it was published in 2010, the author assumed that fundamentalist Christians are inherently legalistic, and devoted to restricting a range of popular activities. He did not foresee the rise of libertarian fundamentalists, who claim that God forbids restrictions on the freedoms of true believers.
There's one thing outdated about the book. Back when it was published in 2010, the author assumed that fundamentalist Christians are inherently legalistic, and devoted to restricting a range of popular activities. He did not foresee the rise of libertarian fundamentalists, who claim that God forbids restrictions on the freedoms of true believers.
February 21, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure, my perspective is one of not only a student pursuing a degree in Religious Studies, but of a person who has independently read countless books regarding the evils and realities of religion. I'm not a believer, but an academic.
Parenti has a very concise and clear writing style that even casual readers will find accessible and enjoyable. He's up-front and honest about his motivations and history with regards to religion, and certainly pulls no punches on his subject matter.
That being said, I found this book incredibly shallow. Criticisms of religions SHOULD and MUST be made, absolutely, and the things Parenti brings to light are important and true. Hippies mindlessly slapping "Free Tibet" bumper stickers on their Subaru Outbacks should understand the reality of what that means; Christians crying about the war on Christmas/Easter/whatever should remember where their holidays come from, and remember that they are in no way, shape or form "oppressed" in modern American life. Victims of religious scammers, molesters, con artists and violent totalitarians should have their stories told. In this light, Parenti is exposing true evils that some people may have never realized are occurring.
My problem is that religion does not exist in a vacuum, and in the discussion of many of these issues, Parenti treats it as if it does. Religious violence especially is an issue that is very rarely about (or only about) religion; it's about power and inequality, and about sociological issues that extend way beyond religious doctrine. Religion is a reflection of a society, and as such, cannot be spoken about as if it is detached from sociological issues, something Parenti does often. His is a shallow critique of the issues plaguing mankind. In my opinion, we've heard these arguments time and again from the anti-religious crowd. A refreshing change from these finger-pointing "critiques" would be actual appreciation for the interdependent realities in which these evils reside.
Further, I don't appreciate the constant inclusion of quotes from greater/older minds than his heading every chapter. It seems a little bush league, as if he's requiring some sort of validation for his arguments. He also makes irresponsible broad sweeping statements such as: "Played out in actual history, religion has proven to be more of a toxin than a tonic." He offers no footnote citation on this statement, no facts to back him up-- if such a statement could even be validated or quantified. It's in moments like this that Parenti is just as intolerant of the complex issues he addresses as he claims the subjects of his book are, using the same type of hyperbole and rhetoric he criticizes when it's coming from religious sources.
If you're a person who has never explored religion, or who has lived in a bubble of your own faith, this will be an eye-opening read. Again, there are plenty of important things and issues brought out in this text. But be cautioned that the issues around religion are far, far deeper and complicated than Parenti makes them out to be. Basically, don't stop your research at his word. Use it as a springboard and find other texts.
If you're an academic or have done any independent research on religious evils or realities, this book will be redundant and, frankly, aggravatingly insubstantial.
Parenti has a very concise and clear writing style that even casual readers will find accessible and enjoyable. He's up-front and honest about his motivations and history with regards to religion, and certainly pulls no punches on his subject matter.
That being said, I found this book incredibly shallow. Criticisms of religions SHOULD and MUST be made, absolutely, and the things Parenti brings to light are important and true. Hippies mindlessly slapping "Free Tibet" bumper stickers on their Subaru Outbacks should understand the reality of what that means; Christians crying about the war on Christmas/Easter/whatever should remember where their holidays come from, and remember that they are in no way, shape or form "oppressed" in modern American life. Victims of religious scammers, molesters, con artists and violent totalitarians should have their stories told. In this light, Parenti is exposing true evils that some people may have never realized are occurring.
My problem is that religion does not exist in a vacuum, and in the discussion of many of these issues, Parenti treats it as if it does. Religious violence especially is an issue that is very rarely about (or only about) religion; it's about power and inequality, and about sociological issues that extend way beyond religious doctrine. Religion is a reflection of a society, and as such, cannot be spoken about as if it is detached from sociological issues, something Parenti does often. His is a shallow critique of the issues plaguing mankind. In my opinion, we've heard these arguments time and again from the anti-religious crowd. A refreshing change from these finger-pointing "critiques" would be actual appreciation for the interdependent realities in which these evils reside.
Further, I don't appreciate the constant inclusion of quotes from greater/older minds than his heading every chapter. It seems a little bush league, as if he's requiring some sort of validation for his arguments. He also makes irresponsible broad sweeping statements such as: "Played out in actual history, religion has proven to be more of a toxin than a tonic." He offers no footnote citation on this statement, no facts to back him up-- if such a statement could even be validated or quantified. It's in moments like this that Parenti is just as intolerant of the complex issues he addresses as he claims the subjects of his book are, using the same type of hyperbole and rhetoric he criticizes when it's coming from religious sources.
If you're a person who has never explored religion, or who has lived in a bubble of your own faith, this will be an eye-opening read. Again, there are plenty of important things and issues brought out in this text. But be cautioned that the issues around religion are far, far deeper and complicated than Parenti makes them out to be. Basically, don't stop your research at his word. Use it as a springboard and find other texts.
If you're an academic or have done any independent research on religious evils or realities, this book will be redundant and, frankly, aggravatingly insubstantial.
September 27, 2010
‘God and His Demons’ is like a come-to-jesus (so to speak) revival for those with a secular, liberal and anti-authoritarian bent. Parenti first takes a romp through the old testament, listing the abominations perpetrated by Yahweh and his worshippers. Given the god-sanctioned murders, rapes, slavery and other atrocities, you have to wonder if the religious fundamentalists who believe the bible is the inerrant word of god (as opposed to a primitive text written by a backwards people who didn’t know enough not to keep their offal out of their drinking water), have ever bothered to read the thing.
Parenti then goes on to castigate the religious and political hypocrites with whom our society is so ripe. It would be interesting to understand the psychological need of these right-wing individuals (Ted Haggard, David Vitter, Mark Sanford, Jimmy Swaggart, Henry Hyde, Bob Livingston, Bob Barr, John Ensign, Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, to name only a few) who speak so forcefully about family-values and how gay marriage represents a societal threat, while personally having such a hard time (so to speak) with monogamy. Obviously this problem is not limited to only one party, but the hypocracy almost entirely is.
No new ground is covered in ‘God and His Demons’ that isn’t done more thoroughly by Dawkins, Harris or Hitchens. But the book is a quick and easy read and provides a quick thrill of schadenfreude for those who are more than a little tired of the inordinate attention payed to those who purport to speak for their invisible friend in the sky.
Parenti then goes on to castigate the religious and political hypocrites with whom our society is so ripe. It would be interesting to understand the psychological need of these right-wing individuals (Ted Haggard, David Vitter, Mark Sanford, Jimmy Swaggart, Henry Hyde, Bob Livingston, Bob Barr, John Ensign, Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, to name only a few) who speak so forcefully about family-values and how gay marriage represents a societal threat, while personally having such a hard time (so to speak) with monogamy. Obviously this problem is not limited to only one party, but the hypocracy almost entirely is.
No new ground is covered in ‘God and His Demons’ that isn’t done more thoroughly by Dawkins, Harris or Hitchens. But the book is a quick and easy read and provides a quick thrill of schadenfreude for those who are more than a little tired of the inordinate attention payed to those who purport to speak for their invisible friend in the sky.
March 10, 2018
Very enjoyable as it supplies multiple examples of the hypocrisy of religions and more importantly, religious figures, many of whom are just money lusting charlatans. Warning: the commentary is biting and may be offensive to some readers.
Solid five, no question. So good I am looking forward to reading his other works.
Solid five, no question. So good I am looking forward to reading his other works.
April 19, 2010
The "New Atheist" bandwagon must be getting terribly overloaded, as culture critic Michael Parenti adds to the heap with //God And His Demons//, another attack on religion's many evils. If one wishes to work in such an overloaded category, you should at least have something substantially new to say, least it look like simply a vulgar effort to cash-in.
Sadly, Parenti covers little new terrain, often regurgitating others work. Christopher Hitchens' indictment of Mother Teresa is wittier, better written, and has the advantage of having been produced first. Likewise, with the chapter here dealing with the sex abuse in the Catholic Church. the subject having been covered elsewhere in greater detail (though Parenti does make the point that similar crimes have been found among Protestant clergy). Parenti likewise follows Hitchens' lead in launching a vituperative polemic on the Dalai Lama, even if he takes several steps further off the cliff, generally adopting China's narrative with regards to the oppression of Tibet. Like many of his compatriots, Parenti seems less interested in persuasion than in paroxysm and provocation, dishing out anachronistic history and shallow textual analysis.
Those in the choir who enjoy the preaching may rush to add Parenti to their pantheon. However, readers interested in a something particularly thoughtful or original should best look elsewhere.
Sadly, Parenti covers little new terrain, often regurgitating others work. Christopher Hitchens' indictment of Mother Teresa is wittier, better written, and has the advantage of having been produced first. Likewise, with the chapter here dealing with the sex abuse in the Catholic Church. the subject having been covered elsewhere in greater detail (though Parenti does make the point that similar crimes have been found among Protestant clergy). Parenti likewise follows Hitchens' lead in launching a vituperative polemic on the Dalai Lama, even if he takes several steps further off the cliff, generally adopting China's narrative with regards to the oppression of Tibet. Like many of his compatriots, Parenti seems less interested in persuasion than in paroxysm and provocation, dishing out anachronistic history and shallow textual analysis.
Those in the choir who enjoy the preaching may rush to add Parenti to their pantheon. However, readers interested in a something particularly thoughtful or original should best look elsewhere.
February 28, 2011
Whereas Christopher Hitchens' "God Is Not Great" argues that religion is not a great (or even good) idea, and Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" argues that religion is in no way demonstrably true, Michael Parenti's "God and His Demons" stands apart as a sort of compendium of religion's greatest failures. By dealing with often individual failings (sex scandals, corporate-friendly greed, et cetera), Parenti fails to make a larger argument about religion. But maybe he doesn't need to.
While on it's own, "God and His Demons" does not particularly further the arguments being made by the so-called "New Atheists" during the last five years, Parenti does help by collecting data, histories, and anecdotes into one handy tome. Clearly for the already-converted more than for readers looking for persuasive argumentation, "God and His Demons" is what it is: a look into the nauseating center of corrupt religious cultures.
While on it's own, "God and His Demons" does not particularly further the arguments being made by the so-called "New Atheists" during the last five years, Parenti does help by collecting data, histories, and anecdotes into one handy tome. Clearly for the already-converted more than for readers looking for persuasive argumentation, "God and His Demons" is what it is: a look into the nauseating center of corrupt religious cultures.
November 2, 2010
This is an unflinching and scathing indictment of organized religion. It is also a call for tolerance and factual narrative of where religion fails in this regard.
A quote from the book sums it up well - "I do not much care whether people believe in one god or another or none at all. Of more interest is knowing how decent they might be as people and how committed they are to social justice, egalitarian reform, personal freedom, and environmental sustainability."
A quote from the book sums it up well - "I do not much care whether people believe in one god or another or none at all. Of more interest is knowing how decent they might be as people and how committed they are to social justice, egalitarian reform, personal freedom, and environmental sustainability."
January 25, 2016
Although the intro to this book seemed a bit dry, I was fascinated and completely immersed in the history and cases presented by Parenti. While he focused more on the history than disproving religion, I find I much prefer this book to Dawkin's "God Delusion". I'm planning on recommending to all my freethinker friends.
June 15, 2010
A closer look at the crimes of all religion. From the Christians to the Tibetan monks to Mother Teresa, Parenti sheds light on these seemingly holy institutions and persons and their less than holy endeavors.
July 24, 2012
This is a very powerful indictment of religion and a lot different and more convincing than some of the other books I have seen on the subject. He looks at it from a lot of perspectives, theological, historical, political, and sociological. And Parenti is very smart. Sometimes quite withering.
October 6, 2012
This is an absolutely brilliant book that unveils much about religion, Christianity in particular. What we have done in the name of God is frightening. The impact of religion is shown in its stark ugliness.
October 11, 2024
The first thing that was noticeable in this book is Parenti's writing style. He is beautifully direct and spare in his writing. Though I did not continue to notice the writing style as I continued through the book, his directness of expression never yields.
Throughout this book, Parenti savages the hypocrisies of religion and politics. He considers and dissects the myths of the Bible, showing how the words and actions in its text completely violate the message it is purported to contain. He also savages the church hierarchies, considering the actions of its saints, numerous of its Popes, and many of the current Evangelical leaders. Again, contrasting the words from their actions, an incredible number of these leaders are shown to be incredible hypocrites.
The latter part of the book considers some of the church vs. state dynamics of our current times. Parenti documents thoroughly how the country's early founders feared the possibility that the church and state would not remain separate from each other, and tried to ensure that they would always remain so.
Parenti's arguments are documented with an abundance of factual evidence, and are trenchant as hell.
Throughout this book, Parenti savages the hypocrisies of religion and politics. He considers and dissects the myths of the Bible, showing how the words and actions in its text completely violate the message it is purported to contain. He also savages the church hierarchies, considering the actions of its saints, numerous of its Popes, and many of the current Evangelical leaders. Again, contrasting the words from their actions, an incredible number of these leaders are shown to be incredible hypocrites.
The latter part of the book considers some of the church vs. state dynamics of our current times. Parenti documents thoroughly how the country's early founders feared the possibility that the church and state would not remain separate from each other, and tried to ensure that they would always remain so.
Parenti's arguments are documented with an abundance of factual evidence, and are trenchant as hell.
January 2, 2023
Eighteenth book from Parenti.
While some fragments of some of his previous books are used (specially the critique to Madre Teresa), Michael presents an excellent and systematic critique of religion.
From the get go he specifies that his critique is to the dogmatic religions and the class elites that use it as a cover up (and boy does he gets into detail): he dwells in the Bible, historical characters and even other religions (hinduism, buddhism and protestantism don't get out of this book clean).
As he concludes, I also think religion has been used as a political tool and, therefore, there isn't anything nothing wrong with religion alone. The problem is how it has been usurped from the commons, how it has been vilified to divide and not to unite.
I may be an atheist, but as Parenti (and even other people like Brian Eno and Friedrich Nietzsche), I find the passion and mysteries of religion as interesting and enriching as other human products.
While some fragments of some of his previous books are used (specially the critique to Madre Teresa), Michael presents an excellent and systematic critique of religion.
From the get go he specifies that his critique is to the dogmatic religions and the class elites that use it as a cover up (and boy does he gets into detail): he dwells in the Bible, historical characters and even other religions (hinduism, buddhism and protestantism don't get out of this book clean).
As he concludes, I also think religion has been used as a political tool and, therefore, there isn't anything nothing wrong with religion alone. The problem is how it has been usurped from the commons, how it has been vilified to divide and not to unite.
I may be an atheist, but as Parenti (and even other people like Brian Eno and Friedrich Nietzsche), I find the passion and mysteries of religion as interesting and enriching as other human products.
June 7, 2021
Mr. Parenti digs deep into what religion means to the world, both past and present. Like many Western writers, he concentrates mainly on Christianity but devotes a fair share of insight and critique to the other religions as well.
He doesn't tout atheism but subjects hard-line religious figures to unflinching and fair-handed scrutiny. Of course there are plenty of Biblical quotations, such as we might read in books by Dawkins, Russell and others. But he turns us towards the history of the church: its ups and downs, its moments of benevolent tolerance as well as its shrill, bloodthirsty epochs.
Mr. Parenti's work is an easy-to-read book for the masses and ends on a surprising note of hope. Like it or not, people will turn to religion to for solace. We simply must ensure that secularism is strong enough to keep its gorier aspects in check.
He doesn't tout atheism but subjects hard-line religious figures to unflinching and fair-handed scrutiny. Of course there are plenty of Biblical quotations, such as we might read in books by Dawkins, Russell and others. But he turns us towards the history of the church: its ups and downs, its moments of benevolent tolerance as well as its shrill, bloodthirsty epochs.
Mr. Parenti's work is an easy-to-read book for the masses and ends on a surprising note of hope. Like it or not, people will turn to religion to for solace. We simply must ensure that secularism is strong enough to keep its gorier aspects in check.
January 22, 2023
Short and concise, this book gives a quick brief of how people have terrorized and vilified society in the name of religion. Even though the author is against religion and doesn't feel very sympathetic towards it, the book mainly focuses on what religious people do, starting from murder, pillage, pedophilia and corruption, while preaching as a religious official. He mainly focuses on America and Christianism, but touches on Islam and Buddhism as well.
September 18, 2020
THE GOAT
October 12, 2020
I can understand why devout religious believers might not enjoy this book ... but I think the points made are important to consider none-the-less.
February 15, 2025
An honest critique of all genres of religion based on factual history. Not large generalizing judgements or picking sides. Quality writing. Quality book.
February 21, 2015
This book is a great book to help you think outside of the religion box and see the negative aspects of what religion does to society. Some questions are posed that are truly great questions we should be asking ourselves about God and religion. However, this is a book where facts may have been taken out of context for the purpose of making the point of the book and that must be remembered. The point is to make the reader question religion and all that comes with it for the horrors it can cause by using many examples of terrible things being done in the name of religion.
March 17, 2016
I read this for my Sociology of Religion class. It isn't the type of book I would recommend unless you are studying religion or sociology. Parenti is a critical theorist and if there is a problem within a religious group he will let you know. He claims that he is not trying to push atheism on the reader but he is. In a way it was good for me to be able to see how critical theorists work and it was good to see the problems that do exist. It is a hard book to read simply because it is so negative.
May 22, 2010
A great listing of the connections between religion and violence (every aspect of this, carefully catalogued) but lacks a narrative thread.
July 16, 2011
Exposes various religions, their leaders, their hypocrisies, and their failures.
September 12, 2014
A damning indictment for the god of Abraham.
February 24, 2013
This book could use a lengthy editing process.
June 2, 2016
The Radical Reviewer did an excellent review of God and His Demons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dn_D...
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews