Religion Poisons Everything Pennycook Summary

Pennycook’s statement sounds very defensive against all who practice a religion. He quotes more than a few authors who share the same belief as him. One author who stood to me the most was Hichens (2007) he states, “religion poisons everything” (p.60). On the same page, Pennycook says that his main issue is “to engage with ancient organized religions in their new incarnations, with claims to the existence of an almighty being still, after so much, seems a desperate regression” (p. 60).” If I understood his statement correctly he is saying that unbelievers can shun their claim in believing in the Almighty God, but still show a high degree of respect to others. I will have to say that I disagree with Pennycook’s claim. He has various points in which he cites other sources as evidence to
On the contrary, the reason why the rapture has not happen is because of God’s unconditional love and patience. Nandy (2006) states that no one thought or imagined after so many centuries -religion would still be alive. Who would have thought that faith would “emerge from the shadows to occupy center sate of the beginning of the twenty-first century?” (p. 60). Second, Pennycook believes that one set of “beliefs and practices when another seems to be trying to set at the same thing in a slightly different way” is not logical (p. 62). Chamberlain calls these two sets of beliefs as “anti-intellectualism and relativist tautologies” (p.62). Pennycook and Chamberlai’s belief are contrary to what the Bible says. In the Bible, I read that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Also, although others are trying to set the same thing, but slightly differently-God tells me in His word that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ. As Christians our belief is to follow Christ’s path and that there is no other way. As for the unbelievers I am not sure what other path they believe is