This podcast examines, page by page, the ideas proposed by Christian writer Ross Douthat in his book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious.
In his book, Ross Douthat claims that religious belief in general, and Christian belief specifically, is the rational choice. Do his arguments hold up to scrutiny?
Why make this podcast? Well, not everyone believes. We want to know why Ross Douthat thinks that’s so terrible, and why he’s using his power as a member of the media elite to try to get everybody in America to believe the same thing.
Christianity Is A Map Into Fantasyland, Ross Douthat
On page 114, in chapter 4 of his book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, Ross Douthat argues that if everyone else is jumping off a cliff, you should do it too. Also, Douthat writes that he has a map that takes you from Bangor, Maine to an invisible city that doesn’t exist. Yes, Ross Douthat’s book is that kooky.
Violent Demands To Close Our Minds Are Not Rational, Ross Douthat
In chapter 4, Douthat is now making unsubstantiated claims that people should be tortured if they don’t close their minds and fully commit to believing the right religion. Douthat also cites a chapter in the violent Book of Revelation that was used by Nazis to justify the genocide against Jews under the Third Reich.
A Summary Of Ross Douthat’s Failed Arguments For Religion
At the beginning chapter 4 of Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, an overconfident Ross Douthat boasts that religion is the obvious choice because he has articulated multiple rational arguments in favor of religious belief. This chapter is meant to be Douthat’s victory lap, a preparation for his argument in favor of Christianity. Actually, it’s where his book falls apart into complete disaster.