Antithetical Acumen Reads

The Common Good by Robert Reich | Read in 2024

Why is this book in Antithetical Acumen Reads? It could just as easily be in Illuminating Informational Reads or Empowering Encounter Reads, but probably not. The main reason for this book being in this category is that most of the ideas in here are antithetical to the views that Sideway Reads holds and or tends to lean towards. The book was picked in part because of its antithesis to what Sideway Reads believes. It is not a bad book. However, it did not sway our opinion in anyway. Reich did make some good points and those are to be noted and given. However, some good points don't allow for an entire overhaul of a system to change to a believed to be worse one. First of all Reich clearly does not like Trump and makes several anti Trump statements. Which is fine but at this point overdone and for the most part not true. Secondly, he advocates for cancel culture or as he calls public shaming. This was definitely a weird part of the book. Overall it is an interesting read, especially if you want to find out a different point of view.

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins | Read in 2024

Richard Dawkins is probably one of the most prominent atheists of our time. In the beginning of this book he states that his goal is to have every Christian become an atheist by the end of it. However, he didn't succeed. It is unclear how anyone would read this book and come away with a clear understanding of science or religion or why not to believe. It really seemed that Dawkins approach was to just confuse everything. He never once addresses actual Christian claims but uses the same old tired anti-religion talking points that don't have any merit. Then when it comes to the science he just says Christians think this proves creation I think it proves evolution and I'm right. At some point something has to give. When both sides are taking the same piece of evidence and claiming it supports their view without any real reasons it becomes confusing. More science books including creation books will be read upcoming by Sideway Reads to gain some more perspective. More books refuting creation and God will be read as well.

Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche | Read in 2024

It should be clear by now that the views at Sideway Reads are that of a Christian world view. However, in this journey, it is imperative that other world views are explored and understood to some extent. Many people, even Christians, enjoy Nietzsche's work. There is not much in this book that was interesting in a good way. It seemed that much of it was outdated, sexist, and anti-religion. Instead of giving good reasons for no religion or no God Nietzsche seemed to rely on childish tactics like calling the church and the people in them stinky and dirty people. He says that women hate science and that it proves philosophy and disproves religion. He also says that Moral or good men are stupid and that one must be noble instead. There are many things that make one wonder how anyone could like his work. He seemed more like an angry person trying to justify how he lived and what he believed.

Beautiful Things by Hunter Biden | Read in 2023

You might be wondering why I didn't include this in the BBR section. Well fist of all you can see that this is a memoir not a biography. That is obviously a technicality that I will probably overlook for other books. However, for this one I wanted to include it in this list because I chose it specifically for the reason that it was antithetical to my political affiliations. I must say it was quite the read. The first thing I will say is that after reading this book it made me feel so bad for Joe Biden, Hunter's father. He really did try and obviously loves his son and all of his kids. The second thing it showed me is that people that don't want to change just won't, no matter how hard you try. Even with all of the money, power, and influence that the Biden name had, it couldn't get Hunter to stop doing drugs and stop drinking alcohol. I've said it before, that everyone has to hit rock bottom before they even want to change and everyone's rock bottom is in a different place. It was a hard read because he was and is so messed up. And I don't feel bad for him at all. However, it does help to humanize some of the political things we feel sometimes which is good. Like I said the good that came out of it is, I feel bad for his dad.

Buddha's Teachings by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai | Read in 2023

This is the first book I ever read that was antithetical to my beliefs. I wanted to begin to read things that would push my worldview and allow me to gain a better understanding of opposing views. It is one thing to hear them from someone but to really read them and understand is something different. Many say that Buddha's teachings are like Christ's teachings. However, I thought it couldn't be farther from the truth. Buddha's teachings are firstly very self centered. I know they will say to look at all the suffering and things they deny themselves. However, it is all done for personal enlightenment. The second main point is that his teachings are very hopeless. He says to endure suffering and gain enlightenment but to what end? Jesus teaches us to look to Him. We look externally. Even when we endure suffering it is not to gain some enlightenment but to win more to the cross of Christ.