The True Nature Of Human Nature: The Symbiotic Parasite Known As Religion (The Inquisition of God) Paperback – February 22, 2019

I have been at loss for words for the last 15 minutes as I sit here at my keyboard. I would like to make note of the intense and magnified personal point of view of the author this book was written from. IT IS well-read and educational in many of ways, and shed light on a lot of new ideas for me, personally.The author states in the epilogue that he didn't want to write another book bashing on Jehovah's Witness, I'm not sure if he fulfilled that goal. It's always difficult inside of this conversation to make any point or have any objective without offending the other side.With that being said, I appreciate the author putting himself on full display and having such willingness to share. What an incredibly surprising story is intertwined with this book. Personally, I am a huge fan of books that carry this sort of load. Books that are factual, enlightening, adoring, and a little bit annoying depending on who you ask. Books that are educational and personal in multiple areas and in many of ways.Don't forget your popcorn.Well done.

I was recommended this book by a friend of mine - they've known I've never been fond of religions so when they learned of it, they knew I would take interest as well.The reasoning, found in the prologue, as to why the book was written came as a nice surprise as I was a former Jehovah's Witness myself; and like many former Witnesses, the author showcases a passion against religion, giving strong criticisms and arguments against it. Of course, because of the relative harshness showcased in some chapters and passages, I could see as to why some people would say the author was narrow minded or possibly using straw man arguments - but I could also see such people being quite defensive on topics of religion. Regardless, a book on religion like this provokes plenty of questions we should all be considering and a good reminder on the hypocrisies of religious systems.

I agreed with everything until the last chapter. In the last chapter, the author proposes the idea of limiting free speech (making it illegal) to rid the world of religion. Although I’d love this utopian idea, free speech should prevail.

I got this book on a recommendation and I’m pleased to say that, not only was it very well written as a first author, but the detailed information he provided helped me sit and contemplate outside the box. There were quite a few “why didn’t I think of that” and “how did I not realize that” moments for me. Aside from having to look up some words in the dictionary, I appreciated the authors research, honesty, bluntness and tone, as well as getting glimpses in to his own experiences with religion. The chapters flowed well culminating with what seems like a sincere approach to solving the worlds issues with religion. Personally, I think it’s a must read for all students and anyone with an open mind.

This book, written from the perspective of a former Jehovah's Witness, takes a critical look at the world's established belief systems, especially as they pertain to a belief in an omnipotent and omniscient higher power. The author's thought provoking statements may offend you and lead you to come to the defense of your own, deeply held convictions. In either case, if you can approach this work with an open mind you might be surprised to find yourself agreeing with some of the options presented at the end of the book.

This reactionary book describes well the struggles of man, who always felt he was an atheist for as long as he could remember, who was raised in a strict Jehovah's Witness household. As he grew older, his internal conflicts with his imposed religious upbringing finally gave way to his departure from the faith of his parents. Orlando Rodriguez found meaning from his secular education and unrestrained study of science.The book's chapters are explanatory essays of the author's transition and focused criticisms of his family's faith, religion in general, and his advocacy against God in any format. Rodriguez identifies many scriptural and doctrinal inconsistencies he experiences and labels them as destructive falsehoods imposed upon vulnerable and unsuspecting believers.Clearly, the author's motives for this work sprang from negative religious experiences and trauma he ascribes to being forced in to church compliance against his will. He describes several life-changing events but especially the expectations by believers to sacrifice the life of his newborn son by avoiding a lifesaving operation where a forbidden blood transfusion was likely. His choice was to keep his son, while abandoning his faith and belief in God completely.Each of the explanatory chapters reflects the agony, pain, and confusion the author expresses in his dissection and rejection of Judeo-Christian teachings and scriptural interpretations.No question these are the writings of an angry man and how he now sees any form of religious belief or devotion as pure deceptions upon countless victims. He has replaced his church with the gospel of science to which he ascribes all good and beneficence and the future hope of mankind. In his final chapter he explains 8 steps required to remove society from the harmful grasps of religion in any form.The author's generalization to all religious believers and organizations the tragedies and misfortunes of his own past seems severe and misplaced. He now wants to force others to follow his will rather than their own, seeing only how humans misused religion as a means of controlling others. The offended now seeks to offend others.I recommend the book to religious practitioners of all faiths as an example of how the best intentions when wrongfully forced on others creates enemies and often unrecoverable consequences.Perhaps people are more the problem here, especially when extremes and even fanaticism are allowed and accepted without question. Still, the author errors by seeking to deny others from living their beliefs because they find peace and joy in their devotions. I agree that neither should impose contraints upon the other, with all able to think and believe as they choose. As such, I reject the 8 steps suggested by the author as totalitarian and ill-advised.Still, the author should be heard but his positions should be questioned as possibly incomplete. It seems naive to think that science is immune from misuse from human interpretation and implementation. Theories should always be challenged and overturned by new facts and better theories. The author's belief in absolute "truth" suggests a new form of sientific religious devotion.Let's not forget that science is only a man-made explanation for life.

Religion is always a touchy subject and so few have the patience to understand the other side albeit nonconformist. If you are looking to dip your toes into the pool of theological conflicts or finding you are questioning life under religious instruction, please read this book with eyes wide open. Nothing the author writes is imaginative but somehow those with dogmatic principles may find blaspheme where he ironically proves otherwise.I highly recommend the book especially for those studying (or teaching) theology or philosophy classes.