Religion for Atheists, Alain de Botton, First Read

The title of the book seems interesting: “Religion for Atheists.” The first chapter of the book clearly states the premise of the book, to be a committed atheist and at the same time look at religions objectively and import specific ideas and practices into the secular realm. Hmmm, importing of ideas doesn’t mean believing in the existence of God, Obviously, this book is for the atheists. According to Alain de Botton the secular world has failed in two things, first, establishing a safe communal experience among the people, second, suffering, how to deal with pain and sufferings. In both of these factors religions have always had an upper hand. So, there is something to learn for the atheists from religions rather than disregarding religion completely. The book attempts to “burn off religions’ more dogmatic aspects in order to distil a few aspects of them that could prove timely and consoling” to atheists. That’s why the name of the first chapter is “Wisdom without Doctrine.”