Reddit reviews God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World--and Why Their Differences Matter

I don't think most religions believe that man is inherently flawed and needs salvation from original sin. Much like Christianity doesn't believe that mankind is trapped in a cycle of reincarnations and that suffering is caused by attachment, or the importance of ritual over belief (as Judaism does).

I heard a pretty good argument to this effect by the author of "God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World--and Why Their Differences Matter". Another interview here.

I'm an atheist, and have more books about atheism than about any particular theistic belief.

That said, I'd strongly recommend--and would appreciate Christian Redditors' takes on--The Case For God by Karen Armstrong. I'm afraid it's been a while since I read it, but I recall thinking that, at least from the atheist perspective, this book presents a fairly nuanced look at god and religion throughout history. Armstrong advocates (?) for a return to a gnostic tradition of belief and contemplating God through silence. It only addresses the New Atheist argument briefly, at the very end. Interesting stuff.

EDIT: I failed to mention the following. As a counterpoint to Armstrong's "all paths" interpretation of belief I'd recommend God is Not One by Stephen Prothero. This is one of my favorite books I've read about religions. The book is strictly a comparative study of major religions and does not address the question of whether or not God exists, so it may not fit into your pro/contra reading list. Still, a fascinating book and highly illuminating.

ooc

Thanks :D

Also, just thought I'd mention this book, which is where I learned a good deal about Buddhism, and also gives a good overview as well as modern significance of various religions in the world.

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