A fantastic listen!

Many audio books struggle to give the mental layout provided by a visible text, which can mean listening to the audio book 3 or 4 times to organize the information in an everyday situation or in order to reference the material again at a later date. This book does not suffer from this disconnect at all. The information is arranged in a way that can make quick references for friends or those pesky "soul winners" possible and efficient. The material evolves logically in tandem with not only personal understanding, but also the chronology of human knowledge and how it came to be. On a personal level, I too was raised in a religious home. Intelligent Design was our gospel (often at the expense of the bible itself) and every thinker or scientist in history was part of a massive conspiracy that involved bad angels that resembled alien stories, rogue dinosaurs, Nazis and supernatural zapping of good guy angels or true believers. the earth was flat (or a disc) and the flood was recited as a foundational pillar of faith. Oddly enough, it was the bible and the psychologically abusive tracts that led to my deconversion but texts such as these have both confirmed my childhood doubts and have given me new perspectives (other than the political or humanities disciplines arguments) that I have been using in the past. I highly recommend this book!

34 people found this helpful

Full of fire and brimstone

This book is basically a rant. A very good rant, but a rant nevertheless. I was browsing Audible when I spotted it. I’m interested in the subject of debunking creationism, but I feel I’ve already read the definitive work that has achieved this aim, ‘The Greatest Show on Earth – the Evidence for Evolution’ by Richard Dawkins’ (which I recommend very highly).

So I didn’t really need to have explained to me again why creationism isn’t true. I’ve never believed in the literal truth of creationism. It’s a really silly, outdated idea and it isn’t worth wasting time trying to talk religious fanatics out of a belief that they are determined to hang onto in the face of overwhelming opposing evidence. But I thought I’d listen in any case, as the subject is usually quite entertaining – and it was.

The difference between me and the author-narrator of this audiobook is that I live in a place where no one seems to be a creationist, or if they are, they keep it to themselves and don’t bother me with it. Whereas the author of this book, Aron Ra, lives in a World where creationism is alive and well and is very powerful, trying to make sure that this false belief system can continue to be indoctrinated into young minds in schools even in the 21st century.

That’s why it is a rant. Our narrator chooses 15 classic creationist arguments against evolution, and he just rips into them. He does it in a scholarly way, using clear rational explanations with a deep knowledge of the subject matter involved, ranging from scripture to evolutionary biology, but he tells his story with passion and fire. Once he gets into his stride he sounds like a preacher, and the irony of this brought a smile to my face more than once.

He doesn’t pull any punches. He doesn’t restrict himself to just discrediting creationism as an idea, he is also fairly direct in his criticism of individual creationists as people. Not the ordinary folk in the street, but the major players who are leading the crusade against evolution, exerting political power in cynical ways to ensure that evolution remains misunderstood and discredited.

I can see why Aron felt the need to write this book, which I enjoyed and recommend. Good luck to you Aron and thanks for the entertaining listen.

23 people found this helpful

Great book!

Very good information for the layman. Especially for those who need scientific simplicity. Aron does a great job explaining the facts and giving them to you in digestible, but fully explanative style. Great book. I highly recommend for those questioning the scientific integrity of the young earth creationists.

19 people found this helpful

This won't help with your relatives.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Maybe. It depends on the friend. I have some creationist friends. I wouldn’t waste either of our times. They’ll be offended, I’ll lose a friend.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism?

"Of Course what I found instead were only the insane ravings of superstitious primitives apparently trying to justify their own inhuman atrocities.”

I spent a substantial portion of my life feeling that the Bible presented a horrific picture of humanity, ascribing it to God seemed the strongest possible condemnation of the deity one could imagine.

Have you listened to any of Aron Ra’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

See above.

Any additional comments?

If you are an agnostic atheist, then you need to keep in mind that the degree of animus felt here is directed at the bad faith exhibited by many creationists. I don’t believe that Aron Ra wishes them ill, but I empathize with the sense of outrage at the willingness to distort, dissemble and denigrate. This is a superb collection of logical fallacies, rhetorical devices and distortions that creationist use against science and reality.

If you are looking for a path to reconciliation between the opposing views, turn back now. I believe Aron Ra as been subject to too much intellectual and probably emotional abuse at this point to offer his opponents much emotional quarter.

I’d still recommend listening to and reading this book. You are not alone, and you are not insane, evil or possessed.

17 people found this helpful

Excellent overview of subject matter

This audio book makes me want to download the E-book, and if I was going to debate on the subject matter I'd want the paper version on hand. Excellent coverage of the subject matter.

14 people found this helpful

Outstanding Book

Would you listen to Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism again? Why?

This is a book I will go back and listen to again. In addition to the clearly stated reasons for dismissing creationism, this book is a great biology lesson. I learned so many new things. I also enjoyed hearing the author read the book. Well done all around!

9 people found this helpful

Well organized argument against most commonl arguments creationism vs evolution.

Well presented and organized presentation of the arguments used to argue against evolution, and then presents the counter argument on each point usually given.. Well thought out and entertainingly presented.

7 people found this helpful

FANGASMIC

I coined "fangasmic" to express just HOW fantastic this book is; when I was already recommending it, after only the 1st few chapters. I just finished reading, & it didn't to any degree disappoint throughout. This IS a MUST-read.

7 people found this helpful

Hilarious, yet informed. Ra, Ra, Ra!!

Pretty sure I'd be a rocket surgeon now if my teachers in school could teach science as interesting as Ra writes. I have a 2 hour commute--one way--daily and devour Audio books. Hands down, the best book I've digested to date! Witty, in depth, yet palpable to us mere humans. And, as one who studied his way out of his religion at 28 (sinner!!!), a great one-stop resource when my well-intentioned family or friends start with the BS. Thanks for a great "read!" Highly recommend! Ps. Xstians, be forewarned. Unless you wear the thickest of blinders, steer clear of this book! You may actually have to stare truth down and decide if you are really honest or not. That's a tough decision! Yet, I'm glad I made it! Enjoy! Ra, Ra, Ra!

5 people found this helpful

A great education on the fallacies of creationism

If creationism bothers you, then this book will be with your time. Narrated by the author, for great effect.

5 people found this helpful