Difference between revisions of "Deconverted"

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[[Image:Deconverted - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg|thumb|256x256px|US hardcover, 1st edition.]]
 
[[Image:Deconverted - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg|thumb|256x256px|US hardcover, 1st edition.]]
  
'''''Deconverted: A Journey From Religion to Reason''''' is a memoir of author [[Seth Andrews]] first published on 2013-01-15. It is about Seth Andrews's life growing up as a Christian, becoming a Christian radio host, and then slowly deconverting to [[atheism]] as he learned to question religion objectively.
+
'''''Deconverted: A Journey From Religion to Reason''''' is a memoir of author [[Seth Andrews]] first published on 2013-01-15. It is about Seth Andrews's life growing up as a [[Christianity|Christian]], becoming a Christian radio host, and then slowly deconverting to [[atheism]] as he learned to question religion objectively.
  
 
I bought this book while volunteering at a [[CFI]] lecture event with Seth Andrews. I was already a big fan of his, and I wanted to both support him, and learn what he had to say.
 
I bought this book while volunteering at a [[CFI]] lecture event with Seth Andrews. I was already a big fan of his, and I wanted to both support him, and learn what he had to say.
  
 
==Status==
 
==Status==
I owned a signed second edition hardcover and am currently reading it.
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I owned a signed second edition hardcover and finished it on 2019-10-08.
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
 
===Good===
 
===Good===
* Andrews gives a nice recount of the rise and fall of the contemporary Christian music genre.
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* The story of Seth Andrews's deconversion is really great. He wasn't abused or mistreated, he just slowly recognized the claims Christianity made were false and adjusted his worldview to be based on the solid truth rather than comforting faith.
 
* I like the fact that, despite his estrangement, Andrews bears no ill will toward his still-religious family, friends, and colleagues.
 
* I like the fact that, despite his estrangement, Andrews bears no ill will toward his still-religious family, friends, and colleagues.
* Andrews reveals a could behind-the-scenes aspects of broadcast radio.
+
* Andrews gives a nice recount of the rise and fall of the contemporary Christian music genre and reveals some interesting behind-the-scenes aspects of broadcast radio.
 +
* The final chapter is a great sales pitch for [[secular humanism]] pointing out all the good science and secularism has accomplished.
  
 
===Bad===
 
===Bad===
* It seemed like Andrews couldn't really agree on whether he wanted to write his memoirs or a counter-apologetics book. There are several sections like the list of biblical contradictions and the atheist FAQ at the end which are useful tools, but are not directly related to his life. While I always like to see resources like these in print, there are plenty of comprehensive sources already, so I would have preferred that Andrews listed one or two examples and got back to talking about his personal story.
+
* It seemed like Andrews couldn't really agree on whether he wanted to write his memoirs or a counter-apologetics book. There are several sections like the list of biblical contradictions and the atheist FAQ at the end which are useful tools, but are not directly related to his life. While I always like to see resources like these in print, there are plenty of comprehensive sources already, so I would have preferred that Andrews listed one or two examples and remained focused on his personal journey.
* Not sure about the first edition, but, in the second edition, every paragraph is separated with a full blank line and not indented. I don't know why this layout was chosen, but I found it to be a bit distracting while reading.
+
* Not sure about the first edition, but, in the second edition, paragraphs are separated with a full blank line and not indented. I don't know why this layout was chosen, but I found it to be a bit distracting while reading.
  
 
===Ugly===
 
===Ugly===

Revision as of 12:46, 8 October 2019

US hardcover, 1st edition.

Deconverted: A Journey From Religion to Reason is a memoir of author Seth Andrews first published on 2013-01-15. It is about Seth Andrews's life growing up as a Christian, becoming a Christian radio host, and then slowly deconverting to atheism as he learned to question religion objectively.

I bought this book while volunteering at a CFI lecture event with Seth Andrews. I was already a big fan of his, and I wanted to both support him, and learn what he had to say.

Status

I owned a signed second edition hardcover and finished it on 2019-10-08.

Review

Good

  • The story of Seth Andrews's deconversion is really great. He wasn't abused or mistreated, he just slowly recognized the claims Christianity made were false and adjusted his worldview to be based on the solid truth rather than comforting faith.
  • I like the fact that, despite his estrangement, Andrews bears no ill will toward his still-religious family, friends, and colleagues.
  • Andrews gives a nice recount of the rise and fall of the contemporary Christian music genre and reveals some interesting behind-the-scenes aspects of broadcast radio.
  • The final chapter is a great sales pitch for secular humanism pointing out all the good science and secularism has accomplished.

Bad

  • It seemed like Andrews couldn't really agree on whether he wanted to write his memoirs or a counter-apologetics book. There are several sections like the list of biblical contradictions and the atheist FAQ at the end which are useful tools, but are not directly related to his life. While I always like to see resources like these in print, there are plenty of comprehensive sources already, so I would have preferred that Andrews listed one or two examples and remained focused on his personal journey.
  • Not sure about the first edition, but, in the second edition, paragraphs are separated with a full blank line and not indented. I don't know why this layout was chosen, but I found it to be a bit distracting while reading.

Ugly

  • Nothing.

Media

Covers

Links

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