Journey to Reason

Walking Away from Young Earth Creationism and Religious Fundamentalism

De: Mark Alsip

Narrado por: Robert Shaw

Are we on the brink of sacrificing science and history on the altar of fundamentalist ideology?

Navigating the chasm between unyielding faith and empirical science, this memoir reveals a deeply personal struggle with Young Earth Creationism and religious fundamentalism.

Indoctrinated at age six into a fundamentalist sect, the author is confronted with the undeniable evidence of science while simultaneously being torn by his church's warnings of eternal damnation for simply acknowledging reality.

As the story unfolds, it delves into the broader impact of such doctrines on American society, from science denial to their role in shaping laws and education, while avoiding a wholesale critique of religion, acknowledging the positive, moral figures that have shaped the author's journey.

Drawing inspiration from thinkers as diverse as Dr. Marlene Winell and Carl Sagan, the author charts a path from constrained belief to the liberating realms of knowledge and reason, offering a compelling call to critical thinking and the embrace of scientific truths. Journey to Reason is an invitation to join a thoughtful discourse on the role of fundamentalist beliefs in the modern world.

©2024 Mark Aaron Alsip (P)2024 Mark Aaron Alsip

A good read for both believers and nonbelievers

The most powerful advocates for skepticism and rational thought are those who once believed and followed fundamentalist religions where asking questions was frowned upon if not forbidden. Mark Alsip is no exception.
Mark has put into words a story that is all too common in fundamentalist religions.
It's not atheist ideas and writings and "wanting to sin" that leads people away from the Christian faith but rather the inconsistencies, impossibilities, and contradictions needed to maintain that faith. Mark not only has experienced this first hand but has the ability to walk the reader through his journey that many others including myself have experienced.
This is a good read for atheists, humanists, and non-believers to let them know they are not alone and for believers who instead of making excuses are genuinely interested in why so many are walking away.

Not alone.

I, too, grew up in Corbin, same as Mark, and while our experiences were different, we've both arrived in the same place. I'm glad to know I wasn't the only in our small town who feels the same way. Great read. I highly recommend. The only reason for 4 stars for performance is that it was distracting for me whenever the reader would mispronounce "mam-maw" and "pap-paw." 😄

Wow! Very relatable.

Having been endoctrinated at a very early age as a southern Baptist, I can totally relate to the experiences of the author in this audiobook--yet dare not tell my super religous family members how I truly feel. I remember very vividly as a child of about 11, questioning that if there was in fact a God, why didn't he answer my prayers to heal my stepfather who I loved very dearly and who was hospitalized after having suffered an anyurism. The very next day after a night filled with prayers for his recovery, I learned that he died. This audobook raised very thought provoking questions and concepts to everything I was ever taught as a chld.