Comments on: My First Book Reading http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/ Atheism with Positivity Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:58:50 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Friendly Atheist » Kriti Festival http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-24106 Friendly Atheist » Kriti Festival Sat, 28 Apr 2007 19:10:20 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-24106 [...] I’ll be on a non-fiction writers panel at 10:00 am (local time) which will be followed by a book reading (which, if allowed, will be me telling stories instead of doing an actual reading). Technorati Tags: atheist, atheism, Kriti Festival, DesiLit, Indian, University of Illinois at Chicago Share This Popularity: 1% [?] [...] [...] I’ll be on a non-fiction writers panel at 10:00 am (local time) which will be followed by a book reading (which, if allowed, will be me telling stories instead of doing an actual reading). Technorati Tags: atheist, atheism, Kriti Festival, DesiLit, Indian, University of Illinois at Chicago Share This Popularity: 1% [?] [...]

]]> By: mollishka http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-22997 mollishka Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:34:12 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-22997 I read most of your book on flights tonight. It's very well-written, and as a former-Christian, it's actually kind of fun to hear about how "other people" treated Sundays. The church I was brought up in was very old-school Lutheran, with services replete with rituals and liturgy and somberness. But the sermons always related to the "lessons" of the day, were rarely too short or too long, and Sunday School was not just for the kids (and didn't take place at the same time as the services). As my mother keeps reminding me, the same church apparently now has a pastor who is eager to fill his pews with "non-believers" and "doubters." I think I am going to try to get her to read this ... I read most of your book on flights tonight. It’s very well-written, and as a former-Christian, it’s actually kind of fun to hear about how “other people” treated Sundays. The church I was brought up in was very old-school Lutheran, with services replete with rituals and liturgy and somberness. But the sermons always related to the “lessons” of the day, were rarely too short or too long, and Sunday School was not just for the kids (and didn’t take place at the same time as the services). As my mother keeps reminding me, the same church apparently now has a pastor who is eager to fill his pews with “non-believers” and “doubters.” I think I am going to try to get her to read this …

]]> By: nullifidian http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21904 nullifidian Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:22:03 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21904 <blockquote>The label does say that. The book is published by a Christian book company, and it is primarily marketed toward Pastors and churchgoers. It’s not so much about evangelism though, as it is about ways to discuss one’s religion without condemning/turning off people on the other side of the fence.</blockquote> Well, anything to open their minds to accepting that other people can life happily without their brand of faith. Congrats again!

The label does say that. The book is published by a Christian book company, and it is primarily marketed toward Pastors and churchgoers. It’s not so much about evangelism though, as it is about ways to discuss one’s religion without condemning/turning off people on the other side of the fence.

Well, anything to open their minds to accepting that other people can life happily without their brand of faith. Congrats again!

]]> By: Becky Robinson http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21656 Becky Robinson Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:09:30 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21656 Hemant: Congratulations of the book, book signings, press, etc. I received my copy today and plan to start it on my plane to Boston tomorrow! I'm sure we can brainstorm this weekend and find a witty tag line for you to sign. Hemant:

Congratulations of the book, book signings, press, etc. I received my copy today and plan to start it on my plane to Boston tomorrow!

I’m sure we can brainstorm this weekend and find a witty tag line for you to sign.

]]> By: writerdd http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21614 writerdd Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:32:43 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21614 > about ways to discuss one’s religion without condemning/turning off people >on the other side of the fence. For many evangelical Christians, that is just a sneaky way to "witness", however, after reading your book, I do think it will give at least some Christian readers pause to think. > about ways to discuss one’s religion without condemning/turning off people >on the other side of the fence.

For many evangelical Christians, that is just a sneaky way to “witness”, however, after reading your book, I do think it will give at least some Christian readers pause to think.

]]> By: FriendlyAtheist http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21601 FriendlyAtheist Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:14:04 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21601 <blockquote>From the picture you posted, it looks like the label underneath your book reads “Discover new ways to share your faith”. Is your book being used as a “how-to improve your witnessing” guide?</blockquote> The label does say that. The book is published by a Christian book company, and it is primarily marketed toward Pastors and churchgoers. It's not so much about evangelism though, as it is about ways to discuss one's religion without condemning/turning off people on the other side of the fence.

From the picture you posted, it looks like the label underneath your book reads “Discover new ways to share your faith”. Is your book being used as a “how-to improve your witnessing” guide?

The label does say that. The book is published by a Christian book company, and it is primarily marketed toward Pastors and churchgoers. It’s not so much about evangelism though, as it is about ways to discuss one’s religion without condemning/turning off people on the other side of the fence.

]]> By: Helen http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21597 Helen Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:58:22 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21597 Hemant, pretty soon you will be an expert at book reading/book signing! I'm sure it just takes a little practice, like so many other things in life. Hemant, pretty soon you will be an expert at book reading/book signing! I’m sure it just takes a little practice, like so many other things in life.

]]> By: Mike C http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21589 Mike C Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:16:26 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21589 <blockquote>After reading Sam Harris, I had this irrational hatred for all things religious. I cringed when I saw a church. I wanted to blame everyone going to church on Sunday for the war in Iraq, and all past wars. “It’s your fault because you let fundamentalism happen!”</blockquote> Wow! They should put this on the back cover of his books. :)

After reading Sam Harris, I had this irrational hatred for all things religious. I cringed when I saw a church. I wanted to blame everyone going to church on Sunday for the war in Iraq, and all past wars. “It’s your fault because you let fundamentalism happen!”

Wow!

They should put this on the back cover of his books. :)

]]> By: Bjorn Watland http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21552 Bjorn Watland Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:42:25 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21552 Maybe you could draw a small sketch, or say something like, Don't Stop Reading! It can be difficult to come up with a blanket message. If you say something like, don't stop searching for the truth, that may offend people who have made up their minds one way or another. Maybe you could just sign it, The Friendly Atheist, or some sort of tag line, or depending on where the signing is, say Go Bears! Could you have imagined two years ago worrying yourself about what you would write at a book signing? In Minnesota, the story plan worked really well. While the book plays off as a long story, some sections are really complete, more of a conversation between you and the computer, rather then between you and a group of people. Yo have plenty of anecdotes to fill up a book talk. Plus, if people think your speech is interesting, that'll make them want the book. That isn't to say that people wouldn't like a reading from the book, but just telling a story feels more natural. Good luck with future events though, you have a really good message. After reading Sam Harris, I had this irrational hatred for all things religious. I cringed when I saw a church. I wanted to blame everyone going to church on Sunday for the war in Iraq, and all past wars. "It's your fault because you let fundamentalism happen!" Christians speak out against war. There are level headed believers. Maybe you could draw a small sketch, or say something like, Don’t Stop Reading! It can be difficult to come up with a blanket message. If you say something like, don’t stop searching for the truth, that may offend people who have made up their minds one way or another. Maybe you could just sign it, The Friendly Atheist, or some sort of tag line, or depending on where the signing is, say Go Bears!

Could you have imagined two years ago worrying yourself about what you would write at a book signing?

In Minnesota, the story plan worked really well. While the book plays off as a long story, some sections are really complete, more of a conversation between you and the computer, rather then between you and a group of people. Yo have plenty of anecdotes to fill up a book talk. Plus, if people think your speech is interesting, that’ll make them want the book. That isn’t to say that people wouldn’t like a reading from the book, but just telling a story feels more natural.

Good luck with future events though, you have a really good message. After reading Sam Harris, I had this irrational hatred for all things religious. I cringed when I saw a church. I wanted to blame everyone going to church on Sunday for the war in Iraq, and all past wars. “It’s your fault because you let fundamentalism happen!” Christians speak out against war. There are level headed believers.

]]> By: nullifidian http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/comment-page-1/#comment-21550 nullifidian Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:39:09 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/18/my-first-book-reading/#comment-21550 From the picture you posted, it looks like the label underneath your book reads "Discover new ways to share your faith". Is your book being used as a "how-to improve your witnessing" guide? Congrats on the release though! I'll get it as soon as it's exported over the pond. From the picture you posted, it looks like the label underneath your book reads “Discover new ways to share your faith”. Is your book being used as a “how-to improve your witnessing” guide?

Congrats on the release though! I’ll get it as soon as it’s exported over the pond.

]]>