Stokes begins each chapter with a slew of questions (sometimes by the pageful), and evenhandedly builds the case for atheism, or mostly the popular case for it. I particularly enjoyed the first half of the book, which focused on epistemology (which is just a three-dollar word for the study of how we know what we know). He presents both arguments and assumptions of atheism, many of which involve being angry at a God who isn't there, or being angry at Christians whom they see as refusing to let go of outdated philosophies.
The irony that Stokes presents so well is that atheism cannot account for its own belief system. What has evolution to do with beliefs, let alone account for them? Why have we any more reason to respect the convictions of the human brain than we do the convictions of, say, a monkey's brain?
Also, the evidence that most atheists demand of Christians for the beliefs they hold is in many ways an irrational demand. Evidence is in no way a precursor to most beliefs that we hold. How do I know that I live in the United States, or that I was born in the city of my birth, or that man has landed on the moon? I must accept these facts, along with an infinite amount of others, based on the testimony of others. In fact, I must even rely on the testimony of my own senses.
All this and more is found in this exciting and engaging book by Mitch Stokes. I highly recommend it.
My thanks to Booksneeze for providing me with this complimentary review copy of "A Shot of Faith to the Head."
