God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. by Christopher Hitchens, 2007. In the book, Hitchens contends that organised religion is "violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children" and sectarian, and that accordingly it "ought to have a great deal on its conscience." Hitchens supports his position with a mixture of personal stories, documented historical anecdotes and critical analysis of religious texts. His commentary focuses mainly on the Abrahamic religions, although it also touches on other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.Theologian David Bentley Hart wrote in First Things that "[Hitchens'] God Is Not Great shows no sign whatsoever that he ever intended anything other than a rollicking burlesque.

Nominated by: Ros

Presenter: Ros
Commentator: Steve

Date: 3 July 2013
Time: 19:15 sharp

Format:
1. Members introduction (5 minutes)
2. Club statistics (2 minutes)
3. Introducing interesting books (5 minutes)
4. Brief introduction of next book (2 minutes)
5. Book presentation (20-30 minutes)
– A brief history of author’s life
– A short summary of the book
– Main/new ideas that the book brought to the society at the time that it was written
– What were the major implications/reactions at the time that it was written?
– What are the major implications on our daily lives (if any)?
6. Group discussion led by the commentator (45-60 minutes), member’s personal view about the book, opposing ideas.

At the end of the meeting, a group of us goes to a bar nearby for a drink, everyone is welcome to join.

Venue: 15, rue des Savoises, la Maison des Associations. room Biko (ground floor)

Map: http://www.lafea.org/contacts.htm

Note: reading the book is not a "must" to attend the meeting!

Look forward to see you all!

To participate in the on-going book selection process:www.mostinfluentialbooks.com

To join the club: http://www.glocals.com/groups/geneva/geneva-book-club.htm

To see the upcoming events:https://sites.google.com/site/genevabookclubgbc/event/2013