The Atheist Book Club discussion

We'll be reading The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan from April 1st through the end of May.

This thread can be used to give book reviews as well as for a general discussion of the book. Please feel free to start a new discussion in the book club folder if you'd like to focus on specific aspects of or ideas from the book.

Thanks for the nudge towards such a wonderful a re-read. I've bought the audio book, narrated by Carl Sagan (what a voice!) for the commute to and from work. Interested to see what memories it sparks from my teenage reading?

I read this book years ago and became a fan-girl of Sagan. This book was my introduction into the world of skepticism. Beautifully written and well argued. It really holds up and has become a classic to most skeptics.

Nichiless, I wish I had read your post before I ordered a used copy of the book! I didn't even think about getting it on audio, and to have him read it - how lovely.

I have never read this (being a fairly recent convert to atheism and Sagan fandom), but I am only on the second chapter and I'm wearing out a highlighter.

I confess that this is one of my all-time favourite books. I no longer have a paper copy as I lent it out years ago and never got it back (and appears to be out of print in paperback so can only be got second hand!) bit I do have the audio - although not read by the man himself, unfortunately.

I think it works on so many levels; as a clarion call for a scientific world view, a superbly reasoned argument for skepticism and against irrationality (as much as I love Dawkins and The God Delusion, I admit will admit that Sagan's more subtle, less antagonistic approach is probably more effective) as well as always with Sagan just capable of showing how much wonder and joy and inspiration there is to be found in the physical universe.

Paul, Amazon US does offer a new paperback, but it looks like you're in the UK so maybe it's an import problem...?

I was actually surprised by how much he does mention the scams of religion. Having known him only from television clips and not previously read his stuff, I was under the impression that he stayed away from it in the manner of Neil deGrasse Tyson. But it seems to me he makes it clear what he thinks about it, although it is certainly subtle and graceful.

Amanda wrote: "I was actually surprised by how much he does mention the scams of religion. Having known him only from television clips and not previously read his stuff, I was under the impression that he stayed away from it in the manner of Neil deGrasse Tyson. But it seems to me he makes it clear what he thinks about it, although it is certainly subtle and graceful. "

Sagan certainly doesn't beat around the bush on where he stands, but he does seem to me to approach the subject more obliquely and subtly than 'the new atheists', starting with beliefs such as astrology and then bringing in religion as part of the same thing. Subtle and graceful is, i think, a perfect description of Sagan's style.

Just looked on amazon uk actually, and they've second hand copies for about 7 quid ($11-12?) so i might have to see if my budget can extend to another book this month...

I think that this book is especially relevant in today's political climate. It seems that religions always or frequently get a free pass when it comes to challenging their basic tenets. Using Sagan's skepticism, these tenets come up woefully lacking in proof--God created the world in six days, he sent himself to the world to be sacrificed to himself, the world is only 6,000 years old, etc. Adherents of any particular religion fall back on the "faith" argument. "You have to have faith." This is, of course, nonsense, and religions should be forcefully challenged on this point. Their leaders are only too happpy to challenge evolution, climate change, and any other scientific finding that doesn't fit with their "faith."

Thought I'd just drop this here: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li7...

I just got to the part about the fire-breathing dragon (chapter: "The Dragon in My Garage") and I am blown away. On one page he just nails it, solidly. There are so many people I wish I could force to read this--so many people I know who are religious but have a scientific mind, or who are just on the edge of becoming a skeptic but not really there.