A brief synopsis

As promised, here is an outline of what my book is actually about. My main thesis is that Christianity simply does not make sense; scientifically, philosophically or morally. Nor, for that matter, does it make sense as a coherent set of ideas.

I didn't start out intending to write a book but, as is the case with anyone who has more than a passing interest in Christianity, I had a great many questions about it. As I began the cathartic process of trying to find answers to those questions my main concern was to try and find out what Christians actually believe. What I found out is that this is a great deal harder than one might imagine. It is often extremely difficult to persuade a Christian to explain their exact views on a particular subject and this is complicated by the fact that, depending on the denomination of the person being asked, one can be presented with very different answers to the same question.

After a while, I realised that I had accumalated enough material to write a book, albeit a short one, and so that is what I did. Although, as I have said, I have not worked flat out on it, rather it has come on in dribs and drabs, with week-, or even month-long hiatuses.

In the introduction to the book, I identify what I take to be the fundamental principles of Christian believers: things like a belief in the Fall of humanity, Jesus as God, the resurrection etc. And I argue that anyone who does not accept these claims is not in fact a Christian. The main book is then divided up into 7 chapters - 1. God, 2. Sin, 3. Christ, 4. Atonement, 5. Judgement, 6. Infidels, 7. Faith, and there is a brief epilogue that pre-empts potential criticism.

A recurring theme of the book is the need to suspend disbelief. For instance, it would be pointless to talk about atonement, for instance, without first having accepted, for the sake of argument, the idea of original sin. Therefore, each chapter necessarily proceeds by first arbitrarily waiving the objections raised by the one before. This means that by the end of the book, the reader will realise just how many concessions one has to make in order for the Christian faith to stand up.

Anyway. That is probably enough for now. I'm nearly finished proof reading so I'll post again when I resubmit the typescript.