Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion and Morality

by Steve Allen

Book Overview

America's dean of intelligent comedy doesn't think the Bible is a laughing matter. His good look at the good book is a closely reasoned examination of Scripture, designed to encourage rational analysis of the most influential document of Western civilization. Although the Bible has been consulted for more than twenty centuries, Allen asserts that there remains an extensive degree of common ignorance about it. Noting that most people today rarely read...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879756381
• ISBN13: 9780879756383
• Release Date: October 1990
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 463 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Sheer brilliance.

I don't think anyone could read this book and not come to the conclusion that Steve Allen was one of the most all-around intelligent and talented public figures of the 20th century. He was truly a worldly scholar. What's more amazing to me is Allen's methodology, relying largely on his own readings and observations from Gideon's Bibles in hotel rooms while on the road.Allen has long been a man of clear social, moral, and political conscience. He goes to great lengths in this book to keep from confusing the separate aspects of his thought except where it is applicable, and does so to a wonderful effect. His explanations of Biblical persons, places and passages, their history and deeper meanings are written in the truest glory of a rational spirituality the world has yet to realize. Furthermore, his analysis of social issues supposedly stemming from the Bible shows his ability to handle controversial topics carefully while not pulling punches with adversarial positions.Never once did I feel like I was not dealing with a scholar on these subjects. The decades of work Allen has put into clarifying his own thoughts in these matters shines like a light tower over a dark, foggy sea. This, to my eyes, is the greatest book of its type since Thomas Paine's "The Age of Reason," and in many ways it's better. It not only illuminates what a genius he really was, but also how simple and necessary critical thought is to every one of us.And to the reviewer who gave this book one star, it is sadly obvious that you did *not* read this book at all. The foreword and introduction alone state that Allen was raised in a strict Irish-Catholic household, was a Catholic until his early 30s when he was excommunicated for his second marriage, and thereafter attended Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles with his wife Jayne and their son. He even makes quite clear in the book that non-belief, to him, is more irrational than belief. But then again, 'twill always be the scholars first who are rooted out as heretics.If you've ever had questions about the teachings and record of Christianity but still maintain your faith, this book comes to you as highly recommended as possible. It tears down walls and builds spirits.

A brilliant book by a brilliant man!

Steve Allen is America's own Man For All Seasons: There's very little that he has not done. Now, he enters some rather controversial territory by taking a scholarly look at what must be the most misunderstood group of documents of all time -- the Bible. Using logic (and a healthy dose of skepticism) rather than childish/unquestioning/dogmatic orthodoxy, he examines various aspects of Christian so-called "ethics" and "morals"; pointing out instances (in the entry "WAR", for example) where the ideals espoused by people who call themselves "Christians" tend to fall by the wayside when circumstances would seem to demand that they keep to those ideals even more. He also gives detailed analyses of a number of individual books within the Bible, some of which are devastating in their criticism. (His look at the rape and murder of the Levite's concubine in Judges 19 is especially thought-provoking even in its harshness.)This reader wishes that he would publish a third tome in this vein as soon as possible!

Enjoyable Critical Analysis

If the Bible and Christianity really is/are "the religion for the rest of us," then every thinking person should get a shot at writing about these topics in a similiar motif. Sometimes Allen's text can be disjointed, other times marvelously insightful; overall the two volumes are a very engaging read. Particularly fun are the author's discourses on the Old Testament Scriptures vs. current Fundamentalist views. I must mention that Steve Allen's courage in publishing his opinions is somewhat remarkable; as he really has something to lose and little to gain. Will the Southern Baptists now boycott copies of "Ramparts Street Parade" or burn tapes of the original Tonight Show? If you like logical expression, and enjoy surprising conclusions about well worn religious ideas? Get both books. This guy just keeps on being entertaining!

Excellent Layperson Analysis of the Holy Bible

This is an excellent layperson analysis of the Holy Bible. Steve Allen makes no pretension to biblical scholarship. Indeed, must one have such credentials to understand and appreciate the alleged word of God? I think not and neither does Allen as he rips through dozens of topics revealing the blatant flaws and fallacies of the "good book". He does stop to smell the proverbial flowers, which are the few and far between edifying passages. I must say that it is truly incredible that those of the Western culture either do not see or do not know how much of the Holy Bible is not well suited to children's bedtime stories.

great, great fun

I found these books to be an absolutely fascinating collection of essays (about 120 per book) each on the average about 1-4 pages long. As said earlier, not for the faint of heart, or those not interested in taking a critical look at the Bible and religion. Topics covered include... Abortion, The Dead Sea Scrolls, God, Christianity Flying Saucers, Death, John Wycliff, The J,P,D,E,Q Documents (that make up different portions of the Bible) and many others. For me, I found it great, great fun!