A nuanced and refreshingly entertaining take on the age-old debate between faith and reason.
An agnostic discusses the merits and drawbacks of theism and atheism.
“I’m jealous of those who believe in a God,” writes Gupta, adding, “I’m also jealous of atheists.” Whether one is religiously “ensconced in the security of a benevolent God” or liberated from spirituality in a way that allows one to be “free to enjoy life in the moment,” the author appreciates the certainty that comes with either theistic or atheistic worldviews. Yet, as a self-described agnostic, the author is torn between competing, internalized conceptions of the world, struggling to reconcile her observations that there’s an intentional design to the universe and that the harsh realities of life indicate a cosmos seemingly devoid of useful divine intervention. Gupta offers a balanced take on what she views as the most and least convincing elements of both atheism and theism. In defense of theistic explanations, she points to documented yet unexplained paranormal events, the ubiquitous heavenly imagery and spiritual bliss associated with near-death experiences, and archaeological findings that corroborate historical narratives found in religious writings. Alternately, she acknowledges the long history of religiously inspired violence, the lack of scientifically verifiable evidence of a divine being, and the inflexibility of static beliefs in many faiths, as evidenced by their embrace of homophobia, antiquated dietary laws, and mythological narratives that are impossible to square with scientific consensus. The author’s nuanced approach to the topic is critical of both atheistic and theistic arguments that Gupta finds irrational and includes considerations of a diverse range of religious beliefs, from Christianity to Hinduism. The book’s strongest elements are the author’s honest assessment of her own philosophical conflict and the memoir-like anecdotes that ground her arguments in her personal experiences. (Growing up in a “liberal Hindu family,” Gupta would later be drawn to the writings of atheists like Christopher Hitchens and scientific studies of astrophysics and the Big Bang.) Containing dozens of the author’s lighthearted black-and-white illustrations, this is an accessible work for an agnostic audience often ignored in the debates between believers and naysayers.
A nuanced and refreshingly entertaining take on the age-old debate between faith and reason.Pub Date: today
ISBN: 9780985313913
Page Count: 458
Publisher: 3 Chips LLC
Review Posted Online: April 30, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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