Comments on: Mind on Fire Reading Group.

By: John

John — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 06:05:16 +0000

For late-comers, voting is closed, and Sam Harris’ The End of Faith is the winner.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:03:17 +0000

This is a great idea! I’ll read whatever book ends up being the winner. (I already cheated and found out ) I look forward to the discussions.

By: John

John — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 07:05:32 +0000

PG, that’s a good idea–we’ll have to look into wired (or rather wireless) venues.

My first vote is for The End of Faith, and my second is for American Theocracy. I like all of the books, so this was an agonizing choice for me (you never want to take me to an ice cream store).

By: pilgrimgirl

pilgrimgirl — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 17:00:19 +0000

Can we do the bookgroup as a webcast or podcast for the folks who’ll want to ‘virtually’ join in?

By: Miko

Miko — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 00:39:54 +0000

The fact that I live in Hollywood and am therefore shallow may influence my decision: my first choice is God Factor. Second is When Religion Becomes Evil. Although I could really go either way. I trust that my choice of one does not preclude the other at a later date… My intents are to read it and, should I ever get my website/blog up and running to consider posting about it. That may be as soon as 2012. I do, however, intend to show up.

By: Matt Thurston

Matt Thurston — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:27:03 +0000

I vote first for The End of Faith. I read a couple of chapters of this at a Barnes & Noble in Palm Springs a few months ago and was intrigued by some of the things Harris had to say. I’ve got it on my reading list after 5 or 6 other books, but I’d be happy to bump it to the front if this is selected for the Book Club reading. I’d also love to blog about it and I’d be happy to make the face-to-face discussion in the OC/LA borderlands.

My second selection, based just on your descriptions, would be When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs.

Third would be Rational Mysticism.

By: Elise Johnson

Elise Johnson — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 23:44:28 +0000

I don’t follow directions very well at midnight (when I originally replied) and forgot my second choice book. #2 for me is The End of Faith, because I’ve seen this book and actually picked it up half a dozen times or so in Barnes & Noble but never actually brought it home.

I do like the idea of a face-to-face group, but it would have to be on the weekend in order for me to commit. But if we all chose a book and set a date to meet and discuss it, I’d love to be there!

By: Watt Mahoun

Watt Mahoun — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:54:04 +0000

I vote for the following:

1. The End of Faith – because I’ve read about it and written some, but still need to read it…Harris seems to be one of a very few pointing to moderate religionists rather than blaming all bad religon on extremist.
2. American Theocracy – because I’d really like to get a Repub take the the situation.

I can’t make the face-to-face but will blog about the reading and perhaps even crack open a cold one in solidarity.

By: pilgrimgirl

pilgrimgirl — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:19:37 +0000

Wow, all of these sound really good…how to choose??

Ok, in order of preference:
The God Factor
American Theocracy
Rational Mysticism

But honestly, I think I would enjoy any of them, so how ’bout you consider my preferred selection as a tie-breaker rather than a fully-weighted vote?

By: John

John — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 11:22:38 +0000

Thanks, Elise! I’d give you a “I voted” sticker if I could.

Would you be interested in the live, non-virtual book group as well? Also, do you have a secondary selection?

By: Elise Johnson

Elise Johnson — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 08:07:00 +0000

I vote for “The God Factor”. I’m intrigued by the idea of people like Hugh Hefner being spiritual. Who’s to say he isn’t? I’d like to read about it.

By the way – great idea, John! I’m excited to see our collective selection.