Book Reviews
Publishers Weekly (03/10/07)
Mehta, an atheist, once held an unusual auction on eBay: the highest bidder could send Mehta to a church of his or her choice. The winner, who paid $504, asked Mehta to attend numerous churches, and this book comprises Mehta’s responses to 15 worshipping communities, including such prominent megachurches as Houston’s Second Baptist, Ted Haggard’s New Life Church in Colorado Springs, and Willow Creek in suburban Chicago.(Mehta ranks Willow Creek as the church most likely to draw him back.) Mehta, who grew up Jain, offers some autobiographical context, then discusses nonreligious people’s approach to topics such as death and suffering. But all that is just a preamble to Mehta’s sketches of the churches he attended. He doesn’t find much community in churches; families sit far apart from other families, and people race “out the front doors to their cars” as soon as the service ends. Churches earn high marks for Mehta when they offer great speakers and focus on community outreach, but they also do many things wrong, including singing repetitive songs and alienating non-Christians by ubiquitously proclaiming them to be “lost.” Mehta’s musings will interest Christians who seek to proselytize others and who want to identify their evangelistic mistakes. (Apr. 17)
TimeOut Chicago (04/26/07-05/02/07)
… where he really lights up is in his offbeat observations of absurd, head-scratching rituals like the “Christian mosh pit” at New Life Church in Colorado; the 24-hour prayer hotline that asks him to leave a message; or the Christian business directories that cause him to wonder, Do Christians think non-Christians are not good to do business with? The vitriolic us-versus-them stance of many churches doesn’t stop Mehta from marveling at their ability to unite people and wield power in society—qualities he believes the atheist community could better embody if both sides could set aside the dogma and get friendly.
“Atheists should know that churches have something to offer,” Mehta says. “It doesn’t mean they’re right when it comes to theological arguments, but our first priority as atheists shouldn’t be to tell everyone, ‘You’re wrong and we’re right.’”
Mike Clawson of Emerging Pensees:
I have to say that as soon as I started reading the book I could not put it down. It is engagingly written and deeply insightful about the pros and cons of Christian churches. So many times I found myself agreeing with Hemant’s assessments of contemporary churches. At other times I was amused at his bewilderment at some of the stranger things that we Christians tend to do in church (like the lady in the more charismatic church who kept shouting out random phrases like “Thank you Jesus” right over his shoulder the whole time, or the unenthusiastic liturgical responses from the congregation at the Presbyterian church.)
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The thing that I’ve appreciated most about Hemant’s approach is that he doesn’t see himself as an antagonist to people of faith. While holding true to his own convictions, he nonetheless is open to exploring other options, and especially to helping Christians become better than we currently are.
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… I appreciate Hemant’s open and friendly spirit. After all, I share his goal of wanting to help Christians become better at actually displaying Christ’s message of love. I think any pastor or church-going Christian that is concerned about how we really come across to outsiders ought to read this book. You’ll come to respect and appreciate Hemant’s advice just as I have.
Carol Hanson of Letters From a Broad…:
… full of constructive critiques and strategies for making their services more engaging, especially for young adults who don’t normally attend church. It has lots of helpful advice on what approaches appeal to non-Christians (and/or non-churchgoers) instead of putting them off.
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… Hemant gives a clear and friendly explanation of how the atheist’s perspective contrasts with the Christian perspective. In my opinion, this is where the book really shines — you can see that Hemant is sincere about wanting to foster understanding and dialog, so he takes the Christian point of view seriously and approaches it respectfully when explaining how his point of view is different.
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This is the one book I would recommend for atheists to give as a gift to Christian friends and relatives. It’s a friendly message from an atheist to a Christian that doesn’t say “Here’s why I’m right and you’re wrong,” but instead says “Here’s how we can understand each other and get along.”
Helen Mildenhall of the eBay Atheist blog:
Hemant’s ability to notice what’s significant and describe it with an undercurrent of humor makes his book a very interesting and enjoyable read.
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I found his comments about Christians in the book to be friendly, respectful and fair.
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I would like Christians to read I Sold My Soul on Ebay, because it gives an excellent window into how atheists think. (Or even, that atheists do think).
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I’ve said a number of times I’d like Christians to read Hemant’s book. What about atheists? I’d like to see atheists reading it too, because I’d like them to consider Hemant’s friendly approach to Christian-atheist dialog. If you question whether it achieves anything, consider this: how many atheists do you know who have been invited to share the sermon time with a pastor and allowed to express their objections to faith to his whole congregation? How many atheists do you know who have been invited to write a book for a Christian publisher? Friendliness opens doors and Hemant’s book is proof of that.
BK of the New Atheist blog:
I’ve really enjoyed the book, Mehta’s style is conversational, easy going, and appropriately funny. Sections are generally short and he gets right to the point with relevant, insightful comments - a fast read packed with information and truly open, uncensored (at least it seems) feedback.
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Mehta provides the very unique perspective of an educated, mature, sincere reviewer who has not had significant exposure to the Christian church experience. In my experience, many church leaders have been in the church all or most of their lives, this is the perspective they never had.
Chris Fann of The Preface:
The two most helpful observations Mr. Mehta had were that in some churches there was a sense of elitism - a country club mentality of I’m in & you’re out. The other was more opportunity for dialogue with opposing viewpoints. I don’t know that the Sunday service is the right venue for that, but I think it important for people of differing beliefs to have a platform to converse and see the other side.
Austin Atheist of Austin Atheist Anonymous:
And speaking of first impressions, Hemant has suggested elsewhere that his book could serve as a good way to break the ice, especially if you’re an atheist. It’s already worked once for me, so I’m inclined to agree. Just the other day I was visiting a friend when a mutual acquaintance of ours happened to stop by. He asked what I was reading. The title interested him, so I offered to let him read the back cover. Once finished, he asked “So, what about you? Are you an atheist?”
“Yes,” I replied, “I am an atheist.”
Judging from his reaction, my being an atheist wasn’t that big of a deal, at least not to him. Whether or not he considers himself a Christian, I’m not really sure. But that’s not the point. The point is we were having a conversation, and a civilized one at that. He wanted to get to know me better, and maybe tell me more about what he either does or does not believe some other time. Now that I’m through reading it, maybe I’ll pass my copy along to him. That way he can get to know Hemant a little better, too.
Mojoey of Deep Thoughts:
As Mehta takes us to church through the eyes of a newcomer, I find his characterization fascinating. He asks many of the questions I ask when exposed to the various rituals of belief. He listens to the sermons of various pastors and discerns genuine compassion and love, while at the same time hearing words of intolerance and bigotry.
He compares small, medium, and mega-churches for feel, friendliness, message, focus, and inclusiveness. In general, he nails it. His perception is remarkable, I feel like I am part of the service. His description moves toward that of a good story teller. I am fascinated by the journey and feel a need to race ahead to find out if he escapes with his soul.
For some reason, Mehta is the consummate outsider, able to fit in without attracting too much attention, feel the experience, and then escape to write about it. I find myself thinking about sitting there with him, what question would I have, how would I relate to the music or the message?
I’ve done something similar while in school as an undergrad taking a comparative religion course. I enjoyed the experience at the time. I re-read the paper I wrote as part of the process of reading this book, I detected a note of prejudice in my writing, prejudice and superiority - Mehta’s work did not have any of these biases - I think that is why I enjoyed it so much. I hate to say it, but I Sold my Soul on eBay made me want to go to church.
Donna of Skepchick:
… I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to peek inside Christian churhces without physically attending a church service, and to those who, like me, want to find a less combative way to talk to the believers in our lives and to try, even if it often seems impossible, to find a way to communicate when we sometimes seem to speak different languages. Hemant’s goals are lofty and commendable.
Toby of A Load of Bright:
If you had told me a month ago that someone could write a book about religion that could be read by both Christians and atheists, and that they could both enjoy it, be challenged by it, and draw a positive message from it without feeling attacked, I wouldn’t have believed you. And yet, this is exactly what Hemant Mehta has managed to achieve.
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I Sold My Soul on eBay is a priceless contribution to the effort of breaking down the divide between atheists and Christians, by bridging the gaps between us. In the heat of battle, Hemant has walked calmly on to the field between the warring groups, and shown us what we have in common, and what we should be fighting on the same side towards. He has shown Christians that we can accept them if certain adaptations can be made, including tolerance towards non-Christians. And, not through words, but by example, he has shown atheists that a more diplomatic approach, at least to complement the more outspoken words of Dawkins and Harris, has a vital role to play in the saga.
Mriana of Mriana’s Original Fiction:
As one reads I Sold My Soul On eBay you forget he is an atheist or find that it does not matter because you see a very nice intelligent man who wants to inquire into what he knows little about and give something in return. He gave back to the people, the community, and the world with his book. It is a wonderful attempt of giving back to everyone around the planet in exchange for what he learned which was very different from what he grew up with as a child.
Greg of Free Mind Joe:
While “I Sold My Soul on eBay’s” publisher, Waterbrook Press, produces material for a religious audience (they are “an autonomous evangelical religious publishing division of Random House“) Hemant doesn’t tone down his atheist views for this type of reader. If he comes across blatant misconceptions, exclusivity, or outright bigotry he makes note of it. When a group prays for something petty or for only the “in group’s” good fortune, or a Minister proclaims that those who have not found Jesus are lost Hemant points it out and wonders why.
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The tone of “I Sold My Soul on eBay” is laid back and congenial (if you have ever heard Hemant speak publicly that tone will probably be familiar). We nonbelievers can benefit from Hemant’s church visits (hey, he went so I don’t have to!) and I hope that religious readers can benefit from some short explanations of atheist viewpoints and atheist humanity. Forthright and considerate, honest and kindly, “I Sold My Soul on eBay” is a unique work with the potential to help bring people together.
Stew of Community of Hope:
It was a great read and would do well to make it’s way in to a seminary curriculum for prospective pastors.
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Hemant’s observations can help us awaken to the conversations going on around us about faith, doubt, and the meaning of life; conversations that quite often don’t involve the church.
Stephanie of Escaping the Gray Twilight:
I Sold My Soul on Ebay ***** of *****
A couple of days ago, I read one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It was I Sold My Soul on eBay: Viewing Faith through an Atheist’s Eyes by Hemant Mehta. Normally I’d post a review detailing the things I found interesting and what-not, but I just don’t feel up to the task. There’s too much there. If you read this post, just trust me on this one. It’s a book well worth reading.
Tim of Tim’s MySpace:
All in all, I give it a 10/10. I give it a perfect score because it impressed me. Ten years down the road, I may well find something wrong with it (or I might not, in which my claim will be that much more valid, as a true classic withstands the test of time), but the effect it had on me at present is quite interesting: it reminded me of the person I am at heart, the person I was before I became obsessed with the social war over religious belief that has plagued our nation’s media of late. This book approached me as I was about to step across the between here and the no-man’s-land between religion and secularity(-ism?), tapped me on the shoulder, and skillfully coerced me back into the real world, and I can only hope that it does the same for other people elsewhere.
Reed of Unorthodox Atheism:
… Hemant’s name is going up on my list of the top influential Atheist authors in all history. In being respectful and honest as he discusses his religious upbringing, his Atheistic views, and his journey that took him to churches of all shapes and sizes, he did what no other Atheist author I know of has been able to do: he got Christians to read his book all the way through!
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This is finally a book that can appeal to Christians and Atheists alike. It is one of the few Atheist books I have read that didn’t make me feel scared or doomed, but rather gave me a sense of hope. Hemant doesn’t condemn Christians and scream at them for being wrong on certain issues. He talks to them in reasonable manner, throwing for a loop anyone with the preconception that Atheists are Stalinist fire-brands who want the utter banishment of religion.
I am going to loan this book to my former pastor to read. Not as an Atheist trying to topple the preacher, but as a friend looking to help a church I still feel somewhat fondly about and strike up a friendly dialogue.
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