About this item
What words come to mind when we think of God? Merciful? Just? Compassionate? In fact, the Bible lays out God's primary qualities clearly: jealous, petty, unforgiving, bloodthirsty, vindictive - and worse! Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and bestselling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, this unique book provides an investigation into what may be the most unpleasant character in all fiction. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testament (as well as thirteen different editions of the "Good Book") , presenting powerful evidence for why the Scripture shouldn't govern our everyday lives. This witty, well-researched book suggests that we should move past the Bible and clear a path to a kinder and more thoughtful world.
About the Author
Dan Barker (1949-) , a former preacher, is co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, co-host of Freethought Radio, and co-founder of The Clergy Project. After 19 years as an evangelical minister, Dan "saw the light" and announced his atheism in 1984. His first public appearance as an atheist was on Oprah Winfrey's "AM Chicago." He travels extensively, lecturing and performing on college campuses, and has participated in more than 120 public debates. A former composer of Christian music (for which he still receives royalties) , Dan is now a jazz pianist and writer of freethought music, including the albums Beware of Dogma and Adrift on a Star. Dan has 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and lives with his wife (and co-president) Annie Laurie Gaylor in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Lenape (Delaware) tribe of American Indians. (Photos: outdoor, Ingrid Laas; window, Tim Buchanan; microphone, Bruce Press; piano, Brent Nicastro.)
