Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists

The Author David G. Myers is a communicator of psychological science to college students and the general public. His writings, supported by National Science Foundation fellowships and grants and recognized by the Gordon Allport Prize, have appeared in three dozen scientific periodicals, from Science to Psychological Science, and in dozens of magazines and newspapers. His seventeen books include best-selling texts and general audience books on happiness, intuition, and hearing loss.

• Preface vFalse and Dangerous? 1My Assumptions 4Mea Culpa 8The Dance of Fanatics and Infidels 11Simplistic Stereotypes 14The Heart of Science and Religion 17The Skeptics’ Boys Club 22Inseparable Body and Soul 26Does Prayer “Work”? 33The Benevolent, Fine-Tuned Universe 44Big Ideas and Biblical Wisdom 54Secularism and Civility 64God and Gays 74(Nominal) Religion Feeds Prejudice 82Godliness and Goodliness 87Happy Faith-Heads 107Healthy Faith-Heads 116Does Explaining Religion Explain It Away? 121The Leap of Faith 128Appendix: International Society for Science and Religion Statement on Intelligent Design 133Notes 137Acknowledgments 150The Author 152

"As a scientist, open-minded skeptic (who cheers on challenges to irrationalism), and a man of faith, [Myers] seeks to transcend the skeptic/believer divide by suggesting how faith can be reasonable, science-affirming, and humane."–Skeptical Inquirer (January/February 2009) "Reading Myers will not set to rest all the incongruities or failures of Christianity; but it will demonstrate, in a thoughtful and readable format, that God is good and that to follow in the steps of Jesus your soul will become bigger, better and more gracious."– Youth Worker Journal"The humility with which Myers writes and the intelligence with which he composes his arguments could disarm the most jaded cynic."– Worship Leader Magazine"Believers and skeptics could learn much from each other, and the author’s willingness to build a bridge between two sometimes hostile territories is what makes his work so welcome. Myers’s psychological training enables him to grasp the human person in a unique way, and he is able to introduce an intellectual element into the God debate."–(Sept.) (Publishers Weekly, July 7, 2008)