The most eloquent phrase in this essay is that Steven Weinberg, for all his musings about religion, has never changed anyone's mind. I first came across Weinberg's God angst in his otherwise insightful physics book, "Dreams of a Final Theory: The Scientist's Search for the Ultimate Laws of Nature," when he posits that a caring God would not have allowed the Holocaust to happen; that if there is a God with a plan for mankind, he has taken great pains to hide them; and that it would ... More »

As a practicing Christian this review reminds me of a person whistling past a graveyard. Despite the authors attempt to suggest science can answer all questions; I am not aware they can now or will ever be able to do so. To scientificly prove God does not exist they must be able to start a world and produce all plants and animals including humans successfully. It appears they have a ways to go.

i enjoyed this essay very much. the writer is certainly not denigrating religion or belief, rather is expressing a personal perspective on religion and how in his opinion science can lead to religion's weakening. i agree with much of his discourse, yet myself think that we still need a god to justify our choices for what we believe is goodness over self-absorption. that need creates the need he mentions to warn ourselves about false religion or its trappings, a greater danger now ... More »

I enjoyed this piece very much, but then, I live without God. The people of faith will not like this because they are dependent on the crutch that religion and a belief in some god entity provides them. Weinberg touches on many of the usual arguments against the godless among us and shows how perfectly valid a godless life can be.

He has a typical academic viewpoint. It would be more interesting if he spoke about modern religious substitutes like deep ecology, gaia or even global warming.

I'm really split on this one. On the downside, I think it adds little (or nothing) to those struggling with issues of faith. On the other hand, what the author seems to feel should convey some sense of comfort for the disbelieving does, in my opinion, ironically paint a very clear picture of the ultimate despair and meaninglessness of life without God. It may be the best-articulated case for why, while we should never discount the possibility of a Godless, soulless life, it should be ... More »