Letter to a Christian Nation: Counter Point

by R.C. Metcalf and RC Metcalf

Is Christianity rational? Sam Harris, best-selling author of Letter to a Christian Nation offers a uniquely pointed perspective on Christian America. Mr. Harris views religion today, on the whole, as a highly negative component of American culture. R.C. Metcalf presents a compelling counter treatise challenging Mr. Harris' atheist worldview. Raised in an atheist home and trained in secular universities, Dr. Metcalf, now both scientist...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595432646
• ISBN13: 9780595432646
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Only for the intellectually honest reader

I don't know if Sam Harris has actually taken the time to read this, but obviously thousands of people - Christians and atheists alike - have. This book is very well-written and thought-provoking for the person who is willing to consider the facts, evidence, and philosophy behind atheist Sam Harris' writings. This book offers just a brief glimpse at the myriad inconsistencies and irrational conclusions presented by Harris. While there are scores of volumes that have been written on the subjects responded to in this book (such as the problem of evil, the basis of morality, etc.), this book provides a very helpful overview of such issues. Dr. Metcalf is unquestionably qualified to respond to the scientific claims of atheists like Dawkins and Harris, but his forthright, clearly articulated responses won't fly over the heads of those who don't have the scientific education that he himself has. This book is a must-read for anyone who has read Sam Harris' books, and remains enough of a "free thinker" to consider views which are contrary to those of Harris. I would also strongly recommend this book for any Christian who thinks that the "new atheists" have responded persuasively and/or cogently to the historic claims of Christianity.

Don't Listen to the 1-Star Reviewers...This is a Great Book!

Have you noticed that this book only gets either 5-star reviews or 1-star reviews? If you loved Sam Harris's book, you probably won't like this one. OK, we all know that. Even so, you should read it to give yourself a chance to be fully informed. If you're looking for a good response to Sam Harris to share with a friend who's read "Letter to a Christian Nation," well, you've found it. The reviewer that called RC Metcalf's book "rantings of the Christian Taliban" couldn't have actually read the book, or else totally missed the point. After all, Metcalf writes in his intro that "regardless of its effect on public policy, it remains [his] sincere desire that this book will provide the reader, along with Mr. Harris, a clearer picture of the reasonableness of the ... Christian faith." Metcalf states, in no uncertain terms, that his book is not intended to have any effect on public policy, but rather on the individual reader. Dr. Metcalf's book was also not intended to present an extensive argument for the existence of God. It WAS meant to be a response from a Christian, who believes in God, to Sam Harris and his readers. Metcalf offers an excellent list of books that are good resources on the arguments for God. As for the reviewer who accuses Metcalf of the fallacy of "appealing to authority"... at least Metcalf DOES cite authoritative resources for his claims. And he does so three times as much as Harris! Both Metcalf and Harris wrote books that are a little over 100 pages long. In Harris's "rantings" he only cites authorities 31 times, and one-sixth of those are references to articles in the New York Times, a highly liberal "authority" (to say the least). In contrast, RC Metcalf has 96 references in his book, including US & NZ government sites and websites of respected universities like Princeton. Or, Metcalf directly quotes sources like Harris, Dawkins and even Jesus. Sam Harris's book has many more logical fallacies than RC Metcalf's book. Harris builds a straw man (another logical fallacy) by describing Christianity as he sees it, rather than for what it actually is. Such a straw man is easy to tear down. The problem is that most Christians have little in common with the religion Harris describes. In fact, from what I read, Metcalf corrects this version of Christianity by giving the reader an accurate picture of Christianity, which also has nothing in common with the Taliban. Rather than using ad hominem fallacies, Metcalf addresses concrete issues raised by Harris and corrects his faulty assumptions... and he does so with respect, not ranting. I have to say, I was impressed with "Letter to a Christian Nation: Counter Point." RC Metcalf addresses Harris as one scientist to another, but writes clearly and doesn't mince his words. There are two other books that respond to Sam Harris. One was written by a historian, Michael Patrick Leahy and one by a theologian, Douglas Wilson. They all have their place, because Harris chose t

Definitely Read This Book!

Metcalf has written a clear response to Harris's book. I don't agree with the reviewer who finds logical fallacies in Metcalf's book. Harris's book, on the other hand, was FULL of them! And Harris's abuse of statistics for his own purposes was rampant. Bottom line... anyone who read Harris should read Metcalf, too.

Logical, Documented, Consistent Refutation of Sam Harris

A counterpoint needs to be logical and consistent, which this one is hands down. From the perspective of someone who actually HAS read the book, Dr. Metcalf does an EXCELLENT job logically refuting (i.e. exposing the error of) many of Sam Harris's contentions in Letter to a Christian Nation. His book addresses them point by point in succinct sections that are highly documented (over 3 times as much documentation as Harris!). Virtually every quote is referenced to a primary source. This differs radically from Mr. Harris, who references liberal New York Times articles and the like...or presumes to know the minds of Christians by offering such inflammatory statements as, "if the city of New York were suddenly replaced by a ball of fire, some significant percentage of the American population would see a silver lining in the subsequent mushroom cloud..." (p.xii) While a few new Christians who have an immature view of what Christianity really teaches might believe this, it isn't the majority view by any means. Harris builds a straw man Christianity that he tears apart quite easily, but Metcalf corrects his misperceptions. Let me offer a clear example of Harris's deception (whether intentional or not)... Sam Harris wrote, "We now have a vaccine for HPV that appears to be both safe and effective. The vaccine produced 100 percent immunity in the six thousand women who received it as part of a clinical trial. And yet, Christian conservatives in our government have resisted a vaccination program on the grounds that HPV is a valuable impediment to premarital sex. These pious men and women want to preserve cervical cancer as an incentive toward abstinence, even if it sacrifices the lives of thousands of women each year." (p.26-7). RC Metcalf responds that Gardisil is "100 percent effective in providing immunity to the four types of HPV it is designed to prevent, but is ineffective for at least six known types of high risk HPV. These four types of HPV cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases." As you can see, 100 percent immunity against only 70 percent of the dangerous viruses still leaves women unprotected from 30 percent of them. R.C. Metcalf continues, "[Harris's] statement that Christian conservatives `want to preserve cervical cancer' misleads because it implies that a means for the complete eradication of cervical cancer actually exists... Christians [do not] completely oppose the development and use of the vaccine. In reality, Christians only resist a mandatory vaccination program for elementary school-aged children." He then cites a quote from the vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, which confirms his comments. If you are open to being shown how Harris's arguments are flawed , with supporting documentation, AND if you are open to understanding an opposing viewpoint, I strongly recommend you read Dr. Metcalf's book.

A Powerful, Reasoned Response

At its core, "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris relies on caustic wit and bitter barbs to cast Christians as throw-back, superstitious, unenlightened religionists. Unfortunately, many of the responses by Christians seem to rely on similar counter attacks, rather than well-reasoned logic and respectful tone. R.C. (Chris) Metcalf does a remarkable job with his intelligent, reasoned, relevant (yet gracious) response. He hits the points quickly and credibly -- Rising above the "ugliness" of Harris' tone, but standing his ground as a seasoned apologist. For those looking for a quick, easy-to-read, counter point to the best-selling Sam Harris book, "Letter to a Christian Nation," I highly recommend this tight and timely response by Chris Metcalf. Randall Niles