Good Without God by Greg Epstein | A

Good Without God. Sounds like a simple concept, right? Yet Greg Epstein’s book on this very subject goes on for about 200 pages. At that length, what makes it different from those religious pamphlets that try to “spend the message?” What separates it from being a religious work itself, advocating yet another form of belief?

For one thing, Epstein’s main goal is not to forcibly convert you to his way of thinking. Instead, this Humanist chaplain from Harvard University just tries his best to voice the values that atheists, agnostics and other religious skeptics share, but cannot always articulate. Using sources that range from Evangelical minister Rick Warren to French author Albert Camus, Epstein appeals to readers of varied religious perspectives and just asks them to be open-minded.

From the very first pages, Epstein’s conversational tone welcomes readers to the world of Humanism, or as he simply puts it, “goodness without God.” Still, those words can be a tough pill to swallow, even if your religious views waver from time to time. And if you’re an atheist, what makes Humanism any different than organized religion? You already know that God doesn’t exist, so why read a book about it?

Chances are, even if you have denounced God, you haven’t given much thought to what morals and ethics you really do believe in. That’s what makes this book so interesting. It doesn’t focus on whether one can be a good person without God, but why.

Once Epstein gets the ball rolling, it’s hard not to keep flipping through the pages. After introducing Humanism, he takes readers through a quick history of the movement’s roots. Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Christians may be surprised to discover that sects and revolutionary thinkers from these religions supported many Humanist beliefs. In subsequent chapters, he explains how eliminating God does not have to take away the sense of purpose and community that religion provides. Epstein keeps the book lively and humorous by throwing in many pop culture references and humorous anecdotes about his own struggles with religion. In the section entitled “Dignity,” Epstein reminds us that even a chaplain can have his moments of doubt and inadequacy.

Whether you’re a devout religious believer or nothing-to-live-for nihilist, be sure to pick up a copy of Good Without God. If nothing else, it will bring you closer to your sibling, cousin, neighbor, co-worker or one of the millions of others in this ever-growing “non-prophet organization.”

1 comments

Vincent W. Wynne

Thu Dec 24 2009 18:03

Have not yet read the book but heard the interview on Fresh Air. I'm an agnostic who holds an MDiv degree and finished all but the dissertation in Pastoral Theology at Vanderbilt University before finally calling it quits. I've become what Epstein describes as a Humanist. And I am agnostic -- but unlike Epstein I have grown so so tired of the discussion. I am what philosophers call a Quietist. I don't follow early Wittgenstein because I admire his work, but rather I simply grew into the early Wittgenstein way of seeing. I believe it's more than a waste of time to discuss matters of religion. I am a humanist, however. But a quietist on all things religion. Yet, I will no doubt read this book with gratitude to Epstein. Good without God will no doubt become a top resource for me should I ever be forced to state my faith.

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