In this rather short book Reza Aslan takes us through the history lane to show how did religion exactly become so important to human species.

As this is rather short book note it is useful as starting point for further readings and exploration on the topic. If you seek more detailed answers in it you might be disappointed.

Author starts with the overview of the first societies where religion took hold (which seems to be very early societies like gatherer-hunters), then moves to the way human beings generally reflect human-like attributes on everything around them - thus giving birth to first super-being and myths (I especially liked explanation how minimal exaggerations can make strange phenomena closer to the human observer, psychology is truly marvelous and practical science) - followed by rise of various pantheons and finally culminating in monotheism from Echnaton's and Zaratustra's attempts to Israelites' first successful monotheistic state religion that was followed by Christians and Muslims.

We can follow the religion develop from rather inclusive traditions to more and more closed/exclusive ones (as I read once in other book, old civilizations could recognize their gods in other pantheons - monotheism or simpler form known as monolatry become more and more exclusive because of their very nature; these are religions made to distinguish people, nations and states and as a result we come to division of society on believers and unbelievers).

Author asks good questions regarding the usefulness of religion for species evolution. As such religion has no merit but when coupled with other sociological changes - e.g. move to stationary way of life, creation of citizen classes and separation of populace on ordinary people and those privileged that can speak to gods (priests and kings) - it becomes more clear how religion rose and became dominant force in human history.

But to say that religion's sole role is to shackle people is also wrong. Like any force in human history it can be misused. And lets not fool ourselves, human's need to believe - be it in religion of any kind or in science - seems to be a fundamental one. It seems we are incapable of dealing with unknowns. We need to fill them either with facts or myths/free interpretations no matter how implausible they might be - future generations will have to work them out.

Book raises interesting questions and is great as a starting point for further research. It is truly excellent popular science book, author writes in a clear and concise way and I recommend it wholeheartedly. ( )

Really loved this book, but have to admit I was really shocked by the ending ; turns out Joan Osborne was right all along https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4CRkpBGQzU ( )

CUPRINS

1. Introducere. Dupa chipul nostru - pag. 9

SUFLETUL INTRUPAT

2. Adam si Eva in Eden - pag. 19
3. Stapanul fiarelor - pag. 35
4. Chipul din copac - pag. 53

DUMNEZEUL UMANIZAT

5. De la sulite la pluguri - pag. 67
6. Cei inalti - pag. 84
7. Marele Zeu - pag. 105

CE ESTE DUMNEZEU ?

8. Dumnezeu este unul - pag. 127
9. Dumnezeu este trei - pag. 146
10. Dumnezeu este totul - pag. 164
11. Concluzii. Unul - pag. 183

12. Multumiri - pag. 191
13. Note - pag. 193
14. Bibliografie - pag. 271
15. Indice - pag. 297 ( )

The title of God: A Human History is quite correct. While at the end of the book, religious scholar Reza Aslan speculates on the nature of God. Instead, this book is more about how humans may have perceived divinity from their earliest days.

In examining evidence from prehistoric cultures, we see how ideas of divinity may have first developed and how they shaped cultures for hundreds of thousands of years. But, surprisingly, scholars now believe it was religion that caused the Agricultural Revolution. Aslan explains how findings at Göbekli Tepe led to that startling conclusion.

While he touches on the Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist beliefs, the book focuses on how our concept of one God--the monotheistic deity of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, developed. He shows, step-by-step, how these lines of thought developed. Rather than being a natural outcome of revelation, many decisions that shape our current conception of God were of political origin.

I was surprised to learn how the minor Canaanite God Yahweh became the one God of the Hebrew people. It was interesting to see how a concept from a small and relatively insignificant tribe grew to influence many people’s conception of God today.

The book was an enjoyable foray into the religious thought of these past half a million years. I’ve always wanted to know what motivated our ancestors and how they lived. While this book doesn’t provide concrete answers because they don’t exist, it does give a sweeping view of the possibilities. ( )

Reza Aslan has sadly become a target for right wingers to bash and attack, after his incredible book on Jesus. It just so happens that one right wing commentator had also published a book on Jesus and wanted sales for it, even though it was vastly inferior to Aslan’s book. Aslan is a scholar and has studied world religions and comes with a pedigree.

Enter his book on the history of God. This is not the first history on God written, but my guess is it becomes on of the more “controversial” books simply due to Aslan’s name being attached to it. My guess is the group that regularly attacks him, will gear up because he has published a history of God from cave period to Mohammed.

Again, this is not the first book of its kind, but I found it to be insightful, straight to the point, and well researched, which is what I like about Aslan’s books. He keeps the history of God moving while lifting up how some aspects of how people viewed God influenced some writings about God (my guess as to what will make people angry, even though most scholars know this stuff).

Aslan knows his stuff and it shows. This isn’t a comprehensive book, as that would be gigantic, but takes a look at the major movements in history including Jesus and Allah. I quite enjoyed it. ( )