Product Description

This work is a critical exploration of a book by Sam Harris entitled 'The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason'. While the book by Mr. Harris puts forth arguments that attempt to paint all spirituality and religion with broad strokes of derision, castigation, and rejection, Mr. Harris also reserves a great deal of space within his book for casting aspersions on Islam and Muslims. The present critical review of Mr. Harris' work examines the many errors, misunderstandings, and problems contained in 'The End of Faith'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #595345 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-26
• Binding: Paperback
• 178 pages

About the Author
Bill Whitehouse obtained an Honors BA from Harvard University and a doctorate from the University of Toronto. He is the author of 'Sufi Reflections', 'The Chaco Canyon Tapes', 'Shari'ah: A Muslim's Declaration of Independence', 'Reality Without a Name', 'The Sufi Lighthouse: Illuminating Spiritual Abuse', and 'Evolution and the Origin of Life'.

Customer Reviews

Interesting and thought-provoking
Though I am neither Muslim nor an atheist, I found the book `Sam Harris and the End of Faith' an interesting and thought-provoking examination of some of the central ideas that revolve about the issues of faith, reason, and belief. While Whitehouse's book does tend to focus on critiquing what Harris has to say about Islam and Muslims, nonetheless, Whitehouse takes time to stress how there is a difference between, on the one hand, what he calls "toxic faith systems" that, unfortunately, are present in some individual interpretations of religious theology and which frequently play destructive roles within society, and, on the other hand, those faith systems which seek to be constructive and are positive forces within the community. Clearly, Whitehouse is of the belief that constructive forms of faith, irrespective of the specific nature of the religious traditions through which they arise, are very important to humanity. I also was somewhat surprised with the way in which Whitehouse was critical of not only Sam Harris, but, as well, certain facets of the Muslim community and the manner in which some of the latter individuals are far too rigid, dogmatic, and oppressive in their approaches to Islam.

Preliminary review of the review
Whitehouse's book has just been published, so I have not yet had the opportunity to read it. I'll agree that Harris does not hide his feelings about religion, and in particular Islam. Contrary to what is implied by the book description though, Harris spends only little time on the Islamic religion, although to one who disagrees with him, it may appear as if the book is entirely about the prophet and his followers.

I cannot say anything else about the book. I do suggest, however, that those who do read Whitehead's book also read two others for balance: Ibn Warraq's "Why I am not a Muslim" and Paul Fregosi's, "Jihad". Both are published by Prometheus Books, and are reasonably priced. Moreover, both books are extremely well researched, with a host of references. Neither author rants or uses emotionalisms in their presentation. The reader will then have more information to render a less biased opinion.

Interesting and informative review of Sam Harris' book.
Anyone interested in the topic of faith and/or atheism who also wants to learn more about Islam (the real Islam, not what is portrayed in the western media or represented by closed-minded fundamentalists of all stripes, whether they be atheists, Christians, Muslims, et cetera) would benefit from reading this thoughtful and fair review of Sam Harris' book.