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Belief or Nonbelief?
 
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Belief or Nonbelief? (Paperback)

by Harvey Cox (Foreword), Umberto Eco (Author), Cardinal Martini (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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From Library Journal

This is no contest between debating opponents seeking to score rhetorical knockouts; instead, it's just two thoughtful people who respectfully listen to what the other has to say about faith. The nonbeliever is Eco, renowned semiotician and author of The Name of the Rose. The believer is the Archbishop of Milan. In these letters, originally run in an Italian newspaper, they address topics that divide official Catholic from contemporary secular opinion. First, the cardinal answers Eco's inquiries on hope and apocalyptic expectation, on when life begins, and on why the Church does not ordain women. There are no surprises here, except perhaps in Martini's nuanced "wait and see" response to the last question. Then, in the book's best exchange, Eco replies to the cardinal's question of how those who do not believe in God can be committed to moral absolutes. Would that all "confrontations" between belief and unbelief were so informed and instructive. Recommended for all public libraries.
-Steve Young, Montclair State Univ., NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Los Angeles Times, 3/18/00

"...challenging...a conversation between two amazing minds on which we have the luck to eavesdrop...this robust exchange is a joy to read..." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
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4.2 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful book to comfort us all, Jan 29 2004
By I. Tysoe "Inna Tysoe" (Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Belief or Nonbelief? (Hardcover)
In these beautifully crafted, philosophical yet clear letters, Cardinal Martini and Umberto Eco discuss the questions that have been raised by many peoples in many lands and in many cultures since philosophy began. They exchange views on the secular expectation of the apocalypse and our resultant consumer culture; on women in the church; on when life begins; and on how a secular man can ground his ethics.

The thorough Jesuit education these great minds received is as evident as their deep humanity. And, while a student of philosophy and ethics will no doubt be entranced by the clear and logical arguments Eco and Martini present, a less philosophically inclined mind may find comfort.

For in the end, Martini and Eco reassure us that, no matter whether you are secular or religious; no matter what your culture, there are universal values that are common to us all. It is a message well worth hearing in this relativistic and politically correct world.

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5.0 out of 5 stars AtheistWorld.Com Book Review, July 24 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Belief or Nonbelief? (Hardcover)
This is no contest between debating opponents seeking to score rhetorical knockouts; instead, it's just two thoughtful people who respectfully listen to what the other has to say about faith. The nonbeliever is Eco, renowned semiotician and author of The Name of the Rose. The believer is the Archbishop of Milan. In these letters, originally run in an Italian newspaper, they address topics that divide official Catholic from contemporary secular opinion. First, the cardinal answers Eco's inquiries on hope and apocalyptic expectation, on when life begins, and on why the Church does not ordain women. There are no surprises here, except perhaps in Martini's nuanced "wait and see" response to the last question. Then, in the book's best exchange, Eco replies to the cardinal's question of how those who do not believe in God can be committed to moral absolutes. Would that all "confrontations" between belief and unbelief were so informed and instructive. Recommended for all public libraries.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Confrontation Indeed, Dec 10 2001
By Rebecca M (Somerville, MA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Belief or Nonbelief? (Hardcover)
In a time when academia and scholarly religion seems terribly at odds with the living Catholic faith, two men open a dialogue which is indeed a confrontation. They confront however, not each other, but the issues of apocalyptic perspective, abortion, women in the Church, violence and much more. These two men recognize these issues not as polemics to be tossed back and forth for endless bantering, but as fundamental to outlining a definition of "humanity." Both men are scholars and people of faith, aware of the cultural and social millieu around them. Although the paperback version claims "A Dialogue" it is most definitely a confrontation that forces the reader to make some decisions or at least consider issues that are all to easily relegated to consideration in a distant sphere rather than our hearts.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-reasoned, civil dialogue
I loved this little book. Eco is one of my heroes, and I knew of Martini's reputation, since there's been much speculation that he is one of the favorites to become the next... Read more
Published on May 29 2001 by Todd Vance

2.0 out of 5 stars No Confrontation at all
There is no doubt that both of them are well-educated gentlemen. This destory the whole purpose of the book - they are too polite to have any confrontation. Read more
Published on May 10 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars You must read the italian or the spanish versions!
The book is good. But the reactions of a variety of intellectuals in the SECOND HALF of the non english versions are as enjoyable. Read more
Published on July 7 2000 by Mnemosine

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Christianity and the Best of Humanism
A short work in which two persons from vastly different spiritual perspectives find it possible to have dialogue. Read more
Published on Jun 23 2000 by Charlie Hall

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but short
My main problem with this book is its size. I wish the two men had exchanged more letters! The book will not convince anyone to be a believer or non-believer; that is not its... Read more
Published on May 10 2000 by Andrew C. Hughes

3.0 out of 5 stars promises more than it delivers
Eco is just about my favorite writer in the world, so anything he writes is of interest to me, including this slim (SLIM) volume. Read more
Published on May 2 2000 by Erik Ketzan

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