The Martyrs, Or, The Triumph Of The Christian Religion, Volume Ii Book

It may seem odd for an atheist to actually like this book, but here's what I believe: It offers some great insight on what it is that makes former unbelievers convert to a religion. Besides, he's more interesting than your average church-going Christian for one simple reason - he's willing to go against the church, being something of a protestant orthodox.

He makes it clear that what drew him to Christianity is not a better explanation of how the world works (so there's no clash between science and religion there), but politics, and the moral laws that serve as the groundwork to develop this political system. He devotes several pages to ideas such as "do no evil", but fails to mention anything that you'd believe is crucial to religious figures if you stick to the tomes the "New Atheists" often pen. If religion poisons everything, I'd love to hear what is so venomous about the things Tolstoy writes here. If faith should come to an end, I'd like to know what about Tolstoy's faith is so pernicious for humanity. And if God is a delusion... well, then I don't have a problem with it, as Tolstoy seemed pretty damn happy (and harmless).

I've always believed that, although it's not really my cup of tea, Christianity can be a force for good - and here's some proof it can work.