God Explained in a Taxi Ride

God explained in a tax ride is a great book only if you approach it with the right mindset - if you want to question things and think critically about them, if you have doubts about religion and faith rather than a strong opinion (on both sides of the spectrum). And no, it's not true that "this little book explains once and for all" as the title says, but that's exactly the beauty of this little book, which doesn't tell you what is right or wrong but it allows the reader to think about it and find their own truth and belief. Arden's observations made me think well beyond what the words printed on paper say. If you don't approach the book that way and take your time to think through it you'll be surely disappointed and give it a negative rating... and you'll surely read it in 20 minutes, which is not nearly enough to have a serious thought about the message Arden tries (very well in my opinion) to communicate.

If only the majority of religious zealots could read this book we'd all be better off!!! Alas....

God Explained in a Taxi Ride was a delight to read over Christmas. Since Blaise Pascal, who thought that, on balance, the odds are in favour of believing than not believing, the wise conclusion that if God did not exist, we would have to invent him has been a controversial subject and so Paul Arden steps in and tells us what is what, throwing light on atheism, communism, creationism but always in a light-hearted way, on our level (i.e. 'not too much time to spare for a heavy volume or a ponderous approach'). Men have created God or rather several versions of God in their own image, and invented new beliefs to fill the void if they did not opt to believe. As he says, most religions are different ways of saying the same thing, we just misunderstand other people's approach, and are even prepared to go to war to attempt to prove that we are right. I specially liked 'When things go wrong', 'You don't need a religion', 'An awkward parishioner', 'It ain't necessarily so' and 'The greatest story ever told', 'A cool religion' and the pithy advice to would-be suicide bombers. The only chapter where I disagreed with Paul Arden was about 'Miracles'. The disciples were not roadies. The Master was in charge and told them what to do, not the other way round. He was the star but he was also the manager. He had the power. They did not. The mind has tremendous power to create visions, illusions and to change water into wine, i.e. to actually change material matters. I have not witnessed the miracle of changing water into wine but I have read that someone at present on our planet claims they can do it, using only the power of the mind. We should not underestimate Jesus' contemporaries. If all the miracles were conjurors' tricks, engineered between themselves, would they have left everything to follow him and be prepared to be tortured and put to death for bearing witness? Just as disagreement makes for a more lively conversation, I found this stimulating rather than off-putting, and will buy the book for my son as a thank you for introducing me to Paul Arden by giving me 'Whatever you think, think the opposite' a few years ago. I have become a fan! P.S. I liked the halo over the taxi and the Penguin sign. Wicked!

Having read Paul's two books on creative thinking, this was not as interesting or as mind opening. In fact it's not at all in the same category as it's about God. A few interesting ironies about religion (many I've read before). The comment about the price different religions charge - Christianity is free, Scientologists demand all is an interesting marketing thought. It's tone is a bit mixed. And yes you can read it in 20 minutes. Though I read mine in the bathroom, cheaper than a taxi. Sadly, Paul is now on the other side having died recently. A great loss to the creative community.

A great book to make people understand what is the concept behind god. A good motivational book too. I recommend it.

Love this book. A great way of explaining "something out there" as opposed to the various Gods in a variety of religions - makes so much sense!

Utter drivel, uninspired waste of time and money.

clear, quirky and short! Loved it!

amazing

ein sehr tiefgründiges und gut reflektiertes, aber trotzdem sehr unterhaltsames Buch von Paul Arden. Es st herzlich, verständliche und berührend. Er gibt Denkanstöße und zeigt dem Leser oftmals eine völlig neue Sichtweise auf Dinge. Es ist kein typisches "die Kirche/oder alle Religionen überhaupt sind super toll oder ganz böse-Buch" es geht um Gott, losgelöst von Religionen und um unser Verständnis von Leben. Ich hatte etwas rein unterhaltsamen erwarten mit ein wenig Fakten und Tiefgang, aber es war weitaus mehr. Es ist liebevoll und menschlich. Absolut empfehlenswert! Als Tipp: Wer sich das Buch kauft bitte auf das Bild auf der aller letzten Seite blättern und auf die Socken achten ;)

"God Explained in a Taxi Ride" by Paul Arden is one of his many motivational books published and meant to drive home the solution in as few words as possible. He takes one very heavy topic and explains it in the bluntest of terms. "God Explained..." is no exception to this rule. Think about it. Whether you believe in Christ, Allah, Buddha, the Sun God, yourself... this book will answer your questions. Because the long and the short of it is this: God exists in YOU. Quotations: "We need a soulmate. We gaze upward to find him." "It's the unknown that makes life so rich." Keep things simple. Why talk through a preacher or priest when you can talk to your god whereever and whenever you want to? Why spend a specific amount of time in your church, on a specific day, when you can praise your god anywhere? If you read the Bible (for example) as a text book, it states that god exists within YOU. So... why the necessity to visit a church when you can praise your god in the comfort of your own home? Does going to church make your prayer any more substantial? Does praying to your god (and not someone else's) make your wishes any more worthy? "Jesus actually existed... his story has been told and retold so many times that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction." It's like a game of telephone. How does "I want a piece of cheese" turn into "Wanna beseech thee?" at the end of only five people. Imagine a full story told at the end of thousands of years. Won't it change a little? ****"Why does god need you to defend him? It must be because you think you are more powerful than your god."**** "You can only have faith in what you DON'T know. That's what faith IS." Take this book, read it for its merits and for its suggestions. Like every other book, take from it what you can and try to delve a little deeper beneath the surface. Relax. Your god wouldn't want you to be so tense. In as few words Mr Arden has used, I have learned more from him than I have from decades of going to church.

Paul Arden livré ce livre assez proche de sa mort. Donc, il aurait pu être biaisés. Mais il est aussi clair qu'il est dans l'un de ses livres.

... diese lakonische Herzlichkeit von Paul Arden! Hier gepaart lesbar mit Weisheit! Also: ich ergänze meine Meinung, wonach Paul Arden der beste Coach ist dadurch, dass er auch ein wunderbarer, menschen- und weltliebender Philosoph ist. Naja, das eine geht ja sowieso ohne das andere gar nicht. Also: Wenn Sie Zuversicht wichtiger finden, als Zukunfts-Horror-Szenarien (oder wenn Sie mal echt miesepetrig drauf sind): kaufen Sie dieses kleine Glaubensbekenntnis. Es wird Sie tief berühren und glücklicher machen.