Believe

Why Everyone Should Be Religious

De: Ross Douthat

Narrado por: Ross Douthat

Read by the author.

Do you ever wish you had more faith, but struggle to make religious belief fit with modern assumptions about the world and human life? With a rare combination of empathy, open-mindedness, and persuasive argument, Ross Douthat offers a blueprint for thinking one's way from doubt to belief.

As a columnist for the New York Times who writes often about spiritual topics for a skeptical audience, Ross Douthat understands that many of us--whether we are agnostic, somewhat religious, or longtime believers—want to have more faith than we do. But we think we can't believe the way our ancestors did, knowing what we know now—can we?

With clear and straightforward arguments, Believe shows how religious belief makes sense of the order of the cosmos and our place within it, illuminates the mystery of consciousness, and explains the persistent reality of encounters with the supernatural.

Douthat argues that in light of what we know today it should be harder to not have faith than to have it. With empathy, clarity, and rigor, Douthat explores:

• Why nonbelief requires ignoring what our reasoning faculties tell us about the world
• How modern scientific developments make a religious worldview more credible, not less
• Why it's entirely reasonable to believe in mystical and supernatural realities
• How an open-minded religious quest should proceed amid the diversity of religious faiths
• How Douthat's own Christianity is informed by his blueprint for belief

Highly relevant for our current moment, Believe offers a pathway for thinking your way from doubt into belief, from uncertainty about our place in the universe into a confidence that we are here for a reason.

©2025 Ross Douthat (P)2025 Zondervan

Inspiring

Refreshing and level headed approach. Read it with someone you can talk about it with.

Compelling and solid

I heard the author interviewed on Plain English podcast recently and suspected this would be a book I’d enjoy. I too see the existence of a higher power in science and math and the cosmos - and the manner in which Douthit lays out that argument is wonderful. Will be recommending!

Centering one in the universe

A cosmos made for manas proven by our ability to comprehend the cosmos. What an interesting spin, I loved it.

Compelling

Douthat accomplishes exactly what he set out to do - this book is an extremely compelling case for belief in a world that seeks to stamp it out. His writing is dense but (mostly) accessible and his common-sense analogies successfully unpack some of the most challenging topics. Perhaps most pleasantly surprising: this book contains only a sensible amount of repetition eg to make a point clear. In contrast to the all-too-common "I have 40% of a book so I'll just repeat myself for the next 120 pages" pattern I've observed elsewhere. I'm recommending this book to everyone I know.

Very timely and compelling.

Well-reasoned propositions that are out of step with current Western culture. All the more reason to consider the propositions with vigor.

Perfection

This is Douthat at his absolute best. It is the best conceived, best reasoned defense of faith — or even the nature of the world around us — that I have ever encountered.

excellent

I'm going to immediately give it a second listen, and probably by a physical copy.

Honest, open, & invites real thought

Amazing book - manages to speak thoughtfully, challengingly, and non-condescendingly to readers of every persuasion and none. A great book to open conversations anyplace on the intellectual, spiritual journey.

Modern Apologetics

Had the "hitch" been still alive when this book came out he would have written a new book, "The Big Tradition Churches are Not Good" . Likewise with the trailing apologetics, not good. By the way, the deconstruction projects are still underway and still finding lots of human fingerprints all over the copies of the copies of an after the fact news break. Check in with Bart Ehrman and Elaine Pagels to catch up on the new forensic technologies that tell a different story that the author. The BIG Traditions have big histories of unchristian behaviors, not just now and then but persistently. Other tradition's, particularly Buddhism have rich scriptures for those who take the time to give them good attention. The Buddha like the Jesus had their movements hijacked by the imperial leaders of the time. All we need is the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 25 and the Dharma teachings to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling". I do agree that even in the chaos of the big, culture driven traditions some may find their way. Working out your own salvation takemore work, more attention to detail and eventually finds personal experiences based on helping others rather than truck loads of doctrines, creeds, beads, candles, crosses, breads and wine. "Belief" was worth the read to recognize all organized movements have a long path yet to climb and sort out. They just need more time to meditate, study and serve others more often. These efforts are more rewarding than the big box religio/showbiz Jesus Rock or the Christian Nationalist who appear ready to draw swords and go on a crusaid. Work out your own Belief/Action Journey.

I have been trying to delete this book for 30 min

Very dry. I want something different but cannot get it to follow directions to delete.