Religion for Atheists

A Non-Believer's Guide to the Uses of Religion

By: Alain de Botton

Narrated by: Kris Dyer

The boring debate between fundamentalist believers and non-believers is finally moved on by Alain de Botton's inspiring new book, which boldly argues that the supernatural claims of religion are of course entirely false - and yet that religions still have important things to teach the secular world. Rather than mocking religions, agnostics and atheists should instead steal from them - because they're packed with good ideas on how we live and arrange our societies.

Blending deep respect with total impiety, de Botton (a non-believer) proposes that we should look to religions for insights into how to build a sense of community, make our relationships last, get more out of art, overcome feelings of envy and inadequacy, and much more. For too long, non-believers have faced a stark choice between either swallowing peculiar doctrines or doing away with consoling and beautiful rituals and ideas. At last Alain de Botton has fashioned a far more interesting and truly helpful alternative.

©2012 Alain de Botton (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Highly original and thought-provoking book.... de Botton is a lively, engaging writer." ( Publishers Weekly)

"A new book by Alain de Botton is always a treat…. De Botton is literate, articulate, knowledgeable, funny and idiosyncratic." (Forbes.com)

"[T]his book will advance amicable discussion among both believers and disbelievers." ( Library Journal)

Perfect for feeling lost without religion.

I really enjoyed listening to this book! The author lays out a lot of terrific ideas for how we can meet the needs of our souls without having to believe in a lot of supernatural deities and stuff.

A lot of sarcasm

Im not sure what i was expecting but this book seemed more critical of religion rather than trying help a non believer build up their spiritual side. A lot of the sarcasm was quite witty though.

I love this author...

... I’ve read most of his books, including this one. This was my first time listening to one of his books, and I didn’t care for the narrator. Not my cup of tea, but you may like it!

Deep thinking

It’s so hard to write positive critique, but here it is: fantastic thinking, deep insight, kind and gentle view about human need, desire and frailty. Between the horrid religionists who gatekeep God and the angry scientific atheist who want life to be devoid of all mystery, pleasure or wonder there’s a tiny space that still has flavor, savor and meaning, and this is that space that Monsieur de Bottom has written about. May we all eat in agape homes.

Adequate reading, by a man whose gentle voice well befits the author’s gentle voice, with the occasionally odd pronunciation, but I will not point out in which cases because received English is not, of course, my native dialect.

A little thin

I was disappointed in this - de Botton's points about the non-theological comforts of religion were somewhat interesting, but it got bogged down in endless reporting on his specific experiences 'trying on' various religions.