BeliefWatch: How To

Parenting books are the most useless and irresistible kind of literature. Designed to prey on parents’ insecurities, they draw you in with expert claims and then disappoint with their know-it-all tone and their failure to solve even a single one of the profound struggles of family life. Same with atheism books: the authors are supersmart and their arguments engaging, but they don’t ultimately resolve doubt and you are left with the feeling of having failed to get with the program. The kids are wide awake at 10 p.m. and you’re still not so sure you can rule God out completely.