God Is Not Great audiobook cover - How Religion Poisons Everything

God Is Not Great

How Religion Poisons Everything

Christopher Hitchens

★ 3.9 / 5(429 ratings)
Start ListeningDownload App
Categories:
ScienceReligion & SpiritualityPhilosophy

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to God Is Not Great — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from God Is Not Great

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from God Is Not Great

Mind Map

God Is Not Great
Man-Made Origins+
Totalitarianism and Intolerance+
Conflict with Science and Reason+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
Why does the author cite the Gospel of Judas in the discussion of religious texts?
  • A. To prove that Jesus had more disciples than previously recorded in history.
  • B. To demonstrate that the Church cherry-picked texts to fit their desired narrative.
  • C. To show that oral traditions were highly reliable in early Christian communities.
  • D. To argue that early religious texts were entirely devoid of historical events.
Question 2 of 9
According to the text, what is the primary reason the religious stories in the Bible contain historical inaccuracies?
  • A. They were originally kept alive by word of mouth in mostly illiterate communities.
  • B. They were written by secular leaders attempting to justify political conquests.
  • C. They were translated from languages that are now entirely extinct.
  • D. They were intentionally altered by early scientists to discredit religious belief.
Question 3 of 9
What does the author suggest the modern tendency to see the face of God in a piece of toast illustrates?
  • A. The enduring and undeniable power of divine intervention in daily life.
  • B. The complex ways in which God communicates with modern believers.
  • C. The mediocrity of modern miracles and the irrationality of believers.
  • D. The alignment of scientific discovery with religious phenomena.
Question 4 of 9
How does the author view religious commandments regarding human sexuality?
  • A. As necessary guidelines for maintaining a morally upright society.
  • B. As proof that non-religious people lack a fundamental moral compass.
  • C. As spiritual tests designed by God to strengthen a believer's faith.
  • D. As an expectation to resist our own biology, punishing humans for God's alleged design faults.
Question 5 of 9
What parallel does the author draw between religious belief and the totalitarian regime of North Korea?
  • A. Both rely on an all-powerful leader who demands unquestioning obedience and constant surveillance.
  • B. Both encourage their subjects to seek out diverse philosophical viewpoints to strengthen their loyalty.
  • C. Both ultimately allow their followers to escape subjugation and torment through death.
  • D. Both were founded on the principles of ancient texts that have since been proven historically accurate.
Question 6 of 9
Why does the author classify the teaching of hell and eternal damnation to children as highly immoral?
  • A. Because it contradicts the historical accounts found in the Gospel of Judas.
  • B. Because it places tremendous emotional strain on them and uses fear to control behavior.
  • C. Because it forces them to reject the scientific theories of Charles Darwin.
  • D. Because it is a modern concept that was not present in original religious texts.
Question 7 of 9
According to the text, what is the root cause of religious intolerance toward other faiths and systems of knowledge?
  • A. A fundamental misunderstanding of geographical boundaries in the ancient world.
  • B. The inherent insecurity that permitting alternative explanations would undermine God's omnipotence.
  • C. The genuine desire to share the bliss and everlasting happiness of salvation with non-believers.
  • D. The lack of historical evidence for major biblical events like the Jews' flight from Egypt.
Question 8 of 9
Which of the following is cited in the text as a tragic, real-world consequence of religion standing in the way of scientific progress?
  • A. The execution of Socrates in Ancient Greece for challenging religious orthodoxies.
  • B. The violent global protests sparked by cartoon images of Muhammed in 2005.
  • C. The Catholic Church's stance against artificial contraception contributing to the spread of AIDS.
  • D. The banning of the Gospel of Judas by the early Christian church.
Question 9 of 9
How does the author explain the ongoing survival and influence of religion despite widespread scientific advancements?
  • A. Religion successfully adapts its core doctrines to align perfectly with modern scientific discoveries.
  • B. Religion exploits human uncertainties and fears about the unknown, particularly regarding death.
  • C. Religion provides empirical evidence that science cannot yet measure or understand.
  • D. Religion is increasingly supported by climatologists and other modern scientists.

God Is Not Great — Full Chapter Overview

God Is Not Great Summary & Overview

God is Not Great traces the development of religious belief from the earliest, most primitive ages of humankind through to today. It attempts to explain the dangerous implications of religious thought and the reasons why faith still exists today. It also helps explain why scientific theory and religious belief can never be reconciled.

Who Should Listen to God Is Not Great?

  • Those who want to know how religions developed
  • Anyone who wants to understand the fight between religious and scientific thinking
  • Those who wish to see the negative aspects of religious belief

About the Author: Christopher Hitchens

Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011) was an British author, journalist and broadcaster. He wrote for a number of publications including The New Statesman, The Nation and Vanity Fair and was a regular commentator on various issues.

He remained a popular but divisive figure on both the left and the right and was never afraid to take a stand on controversial issues.

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App