Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto

Do you believe in God, yes or no? If someone were to ask me what my spiritual beliefs are in a question like this, it would be impossible to answer. Yet statistics that come from such simplistic, religious polls are often used to reflect what populations believe about the existence of God. Lesley Hazleton has written a thoughtful, respectful book that articulates a perspective other than a binary answer to that question. This is not a book written to convince you to believe one way or another. You will not find answers that eradicate your spiritual doubt nor require you to reject all of your spiritual beliefs. Rather, the author poetically describes the joy that can be embraced in the mysteries and possibilities of not knowing. Critics who hold polarized views on the existence of a religious God may find that they are cut from the same cloth. This book wonderfully represents possibilities for the rest of us who can't answer a solid yes or no to that question.

Agnosticism is a middle ground attacked by the religious and the non-religious. The problem really, is that the word ‘atheists’ sound too militant for many non-religious people to accept. To the religious, an enemy, but when a person describes himself as ‘agnostic’, religious people see them differently – they see an agnostic as a potential member of their religious club.Hazelton’s book explains what agnosticism is about. She says that it is merely another name for the old description, ‘free thinker’. A person, she says, can be spiritual without being religious. Thus, agnosticism is what welcomes such people. That may well be the case, but that also means that people who are neither spiritual nor religious might have no name other than the despised term, ‘atheists’. Hazelton hesitates to regard herself as religious, and she has her own views in respect of seeking the meaning of life.Hazelton dose not believe the religion of her ancestors – Judaism, But she argues that it is all right for a person not to believe in any religion and take the stand that if there is a divine force, we might not be able to see or understand it, but that is perfectly fine. The Christians believe that God made man in his image, but Hazelton says that ‘man has repaid him in kind’.Hazelton encourages one to doubt. That is good advice although she says that many religious people claim to be more fervent because they doubt. Perhaps Hazelton should add that it is not enough to doubt but one must also question.

I've read this book twice, and given it as a gift. It is not an argument for being an agnostic. Rather, it is a discussion of thought processes and depth of thinking. The insightful comparison of the type of thinking that leads to both fundamentalism and atheism is presented in a novel way. Also, Ms. Hazleton's writing is not the least bit dry. Rather, it displays a wry sense of humor that very much leavens the thought-provoking commentary that is at the root of the work.

After reading The First Muslim, After the Prophet: (twice) and Agnostic, watching a bunch of Ted Talks and Youtubes, I googled Lesley Hazelton looking for an email address as I had a question about something that came up in Agnostic that struck me in conflict with agnosticism as I saw it before and after reading your book.Google and Twitter showed up. I had never looked at Twitter so I went there first. My inclination was to think it was one of those Internet farces because there was a political fundamentalism in front of me that did not fit with Agnostic. Turning to Facebook, which I had abandoned years ago, the same.Surprised, I was.otherwise I probably would have done five stars

We read this book in a group that I attend and it was a great source of discussion about important themes within our faith community. I want to read other books that she has written. She writes very well and is very thoughtful and funny. A thought provoking book.

If I were to be totally truthful with myself, I would identify as an agnostic. I was when I was in college, and tried to change my beliefs for my wife, who is religious, but I never really believed any of the material I was presented with to read.This book spoke to my beliefs. It identifies what an agnostic is and how they view the world around them. It was well written, easy to read and thoughtful. I would recommedn it tio any person who has doubts about their religious beliefs and especially those that identify as "spiritual but no religious" as I have done for a number of years.

Wonderfully balanced and thoughtful approach to the complexities of our belief systems and spirituality.

I get that the author is extremely well-read. It's not necessary to quote someone else in every paragraph. It seemed to me to be excessive literary name-dropping. I was expecting more new ideas than spewing of others' ideas, more chapter 8 with ideas on the soul than chapter 6 with ad nauseum definitions of math terms (specifically infinity). Blah.

no problems encountered

Great premise and jaunt through some hard to explore/conceptualize territory. This may be the best form of the book, but it could certainly be presented in a more accessible way as well. A great collection and reflection of many great writings. A great "putting into words" of the things that are elusive and hard to put into words.

I enjoyed this book. You may also.

thoughtful and thought provoking...

The first 60 per cent of this book is terrific: excited with the possibilities of uncertainty and scepticism. Then, despite writing at some length on the mathematical fascination of eternity, the writer decides they've actually a closed mind on the afterlife, survival of spirit etc. and I lost interest. An agnostic perhaps but one whose agnosticism is limited by their materialist beliefs. What about spirit and the New Physics, dark matter, NDE etc?