I propose:
Quote:The title of this book, "God Wants You Dead" seems hostile and blasphemous at
first glance. However, it is not a statement with which the faithful can easily
argue.
Western religions generally hold that though Man has tasted the fruit of the Tree
of Knowledge, God has prevented us from eating from the Tree of Eternal Life.
So from a theological standpoint, it seems that God does want us dead or at
least wants mankind to earn immortality. And this then leads to the theological
question, "When does God want you to die?"
Suicide is prohibited by most religions. But some "true believers" (Christian
Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others) decline modern medical treatments.
They believe that such treatments are against God’s will. Although they would
probably bristle at the suggestion that this as a form of suicide, they still decline
certain medical help, even when the choice is clearly treatment or death.
Some people seem to think that medical science can be "too good." They feel
that current research directed at extending the human life span is unnatural.
They will often say that it is not good to be "playing God."
So we wonder, at just what point should the faithful believe that trying to stay
alive messes up God’s plan?
An even more important question this book will address is why people believe the
things they do. Why do some people believe that taking penicillin will thwart
God’s will, while others would gladly accept an artificial heart? Why do some
religions require a strictly regulated healthy diet, while others mandate the
drinking of poisoned fruit punch?
We believe the answers to these and other questions can be found in
understanding why and how people believe in Higher Powers. Our book explains
how these Higher Powers operate and why their goals are rarely aligned with
your best interests.
Please note that God is only one of many “Higher Powers” that affect people’s
lives. We choose to pick on God in the title, because God makes claim to being
the highest of all Higher Powers. We think this makes God worthy of special
attention. However, we will also examine nations, corporations, racial groups,
and other Higher Powers to which individuals sometimes surrender their minds.
The title focuses on the threat of death, because it's the most extreme price that
anyone can pay for faith in a Higher Power. And we maintain that an adherent's
willingness to choose death is a very good indicator that something is wrong with
a belief system. However, we also address the other common costs of having
faith in any Higher Power.
The faithful pay a price, not just with their lives, but also with their liberty and
property.
Sean Hastings
