Agnosticism and atheism Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA recent poll from the University of Minnesota finds that atheists are America's least trusted social group. Perhaps compounding this negative impression is the attack-dog persona taken on in the past decade by the "New Atheists." Not only have they been quite public about their disbelief, but they've also stridently lambasted religious belief generally in a number of bestselling books. Disturbed by this negative public perception and the deterioration in the tone of open debate, the authors of this eminently reasonable work attempt to introduce a note of civility and rational clarity. To both religious believers and fellow atheists they counsel a measured approach that combines serious intellectual engagement with respect for the reasonableness of the other side's position. The heart of the book is the authors' moral case for atheism. Atheism, they contend, manifests a decidedly moral concern for others and their wellbeing. The authors further argue that atheism is driven by the kinds of moral considerations that should be familiar to all religious believers. Atheists are motivated by a moral concern for others, a desire to alleviate suffering and combat evil, and an appreciation for the value of life, freedom, and responsibility. In the end, the authors make not only a compelling case for atheism but also for the value and necessity of mutual respect in a democratic society composed of diverse citizens.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor about two decades John W. Loftus was a devout evangelical Christian, an ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and an ardent apologist for Christianity. With three degrees--in philosophy, theology, and philosophy of religion--he was adept at using rational argumentation to defend the faith. But over the years, doubts about the credibility of key Christian tenets began to creep into his thinking. By the late 1990s he experienced a full-blown crisis of faith. In this honest appraisal of his journey from believer to atheist, the author carefully explains the experiences and the reasoning process that led him to reject religious belief. The original edition of this book was published in 2006 and reissued in 2008. Since that time, Loftus has received a good deal of critical feedback from Christians and skeptics alike. In this revised and expanded edition, the author addresses criticisms of the original, adds new argumentation and references, and refines his presentation. For every issue he succinctly summarizes the various points of view and provides references for further reading. In conclusion, he describes the implications of life without belief in God, some liberating, some sobering. This frank critique of Christian belief from a former insider will interest freethinkers as well as anyone with doubts about the claims of religion.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHundreds of millions of people believe that Jesus came back from the dead. This cogent, forcefully argued book presents a decidedly unpopular view -namely, that the central tenet of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus, is false. The author asks a number of probing questions: Is the evidence about Jesus as it has been relayed to us over the centuries of sufficient quantity and quality to justify belief in the resurrection? How can we accept the resurrection but reject magic at the Salem witch trials? What light does contemporary research about human rationality from the fields of behavioral economics, empirical psychology, cognitive science, and philosophy shed on the resurrection and religious belief? Can we use contemporary research about the reliability of people's beliefs in the supernatural, miracles, and the paranormal to shed light on the origins of Christianity and other religions? Does it make sense that the all-powerful creator of the universe would employ miracles to achieve his ends? Can a Christian believe by faith alone and yet reasonably deny the supernatural claims of other religions? Do the arguments against Christianity support atheism? By carefully answering each of these questions, this book undermines Christianity and theism at their foundations; it gives us a powerful model for better critical reasoning; and it builds a compelling case for atheism. Without stooping to condescension or arrogance, the author offers persuasive arguments that are accessible, thoughtful, and new.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA thorough and hard-hitting critique that is a must read for anyone interested in the interaction between religion and science. It has become the prevalent view among sociologists, historians, and some theistic scientists that religion and science have never been in serious conflict. Some even claim that Christianity was responsible for the development of science. In a sweeping historical survey that begins with ancient Greek science and proceeds through the Renaissance and Enlightenment to contemporary advances in physics and cosmology, Stenger makes a convincing case that not only is this conclusion false, but Christianity actually held back the progress of science for one thousand years. It is significant, he notes, that the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century occurred only after the revolts against established ecclesiastic authorities in the Renaissance and Reformation opened up new avenues of thought. The author goes on to detail how religion and science are fundamentally incompatible in several areas: the origin of the universe and its physical parameters, the origin of complexity, holism versus reductionism, the nature of mind and consciousness, and the source of morality. In the end, Stenger is most troubled by the negative influence that organized religion often exerts on politics and society. He points out antiscientific attitudes embedded in popular religion that are being used to suppress scientific results on issues of global importance, such as overpopulation and environmental degradation. When religion fosters disrespect for science, it threatens the generations of humanity that will follow ours.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOpponents attack the president of the United States for not being a real Christian. Bitter arguments erupt over whether the United States is or should be a Christian nation. Sound familiar? These contentious issues are not just recent developments but were also the topics of fierce debate in the late eighteenth century. Like President Obama today, President Thomas Jefferson had to contend with accusations that his religious convictions were questionable. Against complaints that the writers of the Constitution did not invoke God, John Adams replied, "It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods." This book covers these and other related issues from the two-centuries-long debate over religion and secularism in America. Taking an unabashedly atheistic point of view, the father-and-son authors argue that everyone--from evangelical Christian to ardent atheist--needs a secular America and separation of church and state. They examine the decidedly unchristian roots of the Fourth of July, the important difference between "tolerance" and "toleration," the misleading confusions related to the difference between "public" and "governmental," the value of secular schooling, the erroneous contention that atheism is equivalent to immorality and therefore dangerous, and a host of other contemporary and historical topics. With a list of key dates related to the history of secular America, notes, bibliography, and glossary, In Freedom We Trust offers important facts and arguments for secular humanists and anyone with an interest in freedom of conscience.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis history of atomism, from Democritus to the recent discovery of the Higgs boson, chronicles one of the most successful scientific hypotheses ever devised.Originating separately in both ancient Greece and India, the concept of the atom persisted for centuries, despite often running afoul of conventional thinking. Until the twentieth century, no direct evidence for atoms existed. Today it is possible to actually observe atoms using a scanning tunneling microscope. In this book, physicist Victor J. Stenger makes the case that, in the final analysis, atoms and the void are all that exists. The book begins with the story of the earliest atomists - the ancient Greek philosophers Leucippus, Democritus, and Epicurus, and the Latin poet Lucretius. As the author notes, the idea of elementary particles as the foundation of reality had many opponents throughout history - from Aristotle to Christian theologians and even some nineteenth-century chemists and philosophers. While theists today accept that the evidence for the atomic theory of matter is overwhelming, they reject the atheistic implications of that theory. In conclusion, the author underscores the main point made throughout this work: the total absence of empirical facts and theoretical arguments to support the existence of any component to reality other than atoms and the void can be taken as proof beyond a reasonable doubt that such a component is nowhere to be found.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA former African American minister revealshis unusual journey from faith to atheism. Anthony Pinn preached his first sermon at age twelve. At eighteen he became one of the youngest ordained ministers in his denomination. He then quickly moved up the ministerial ranks. Eventually he graduated from Columbia University and then received a Master of Divinity in theology and a PhD in religion from Harvard University. All the while, Pinn was wrestling with a growing skepticism. As his intellectual horizons expanded, he became less and less confident in the theism of his upbringing. At the same time, he became aware that his church could offer only anemic responses to the acute social needs of the community. In his mid-twenties, he finally decided to leave the ministry and committed the rest of his life to academia. He went on to become a distinguished scholar of African American humanism and religious history. The once fully committed believer evolved into an equally committed nonbeliever convinced that a secular approach to life offers the best hope of solving humanity's problems.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow does the cosmos do something it has long been thought that only gods could achieve? How does an inanimate universe generate stunning new forms and unbelievable new powers without a Creator? How does the cosmos create? That's the central question of a book that in its original edition was called profound, extraordinary, provocative, mind-bending, and daring. Author Howard Bloom takes you on a scientific expedition into the secret heart of a cosmos you've never seen. Not just any cosmos. An electrifyingly inventive cosmos. An obsessive-compulsive cosmos. A driven, ambitious cosmos. A cosmos of colossal shocks. A cosmos of screaming, stunning surprise. A cosmos that breaks five of science's most sacred laws. Yes, five. At the end of this intellectual thrill-ride is a whole new theory of the beginning, middle, and end of the universe-the Bloom toroidal model, also known as the big bagel theory-which explains two of the biggest mysteries in physics: dark energy and why, if antimatter and matter are created in equal amounts, there is so little antimatter in this universe. Called "truly awesome" by Nobel Prize-winner Dudley Herschbach, this paperback edition of The God Problem will pull you in with the irresistible attraction of a black hole and spit you out again enlightened with the force of a big bang. Be prepared to have your mind blown.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis anthology of new critical essays written by experts in their fields, in honor of the late Victor Stenger, examines Christianity using established scientific criteria. Where science specifically touches upon the claims of Christianity the authors seek to show those claims lack the required evidence. The result is that Christianity is not a sufficiently evidenced religion. In his New York Times bestseller, God: The Failed Hypothesis, physicist Victor Stenger argued that claims of religion should be subject to the same standards of scientific rigor as any other truth claim. Taking this approach, the contributors argue that Christianity fails every known scientific test for truth. Stenger himself wrote a chapter for this volume before he died.In it he presents a brief history of ideas about cosmology, showing that Christianity's premodern understanding of the cosmos is incompatible with current scientific evidence regarding the origin and structure of the cosmos. Other contributors examine a wide variety of topics, including biblical archaeology, Intelligent Design, the Shroud of Turin, free will, the existence of the soul, the efficacy of petitionary prayer, and more. This challenging work is indispensable reading for both skeptical readers and open-minded people of faith.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this classic treatise on atheism,George H. Smith sets out to demolish what he considers the most widespread and destructive of all the myths devised by human beings - the concept of a supreme being. With painstaking scholarship and rigorous arguments, Mr. Smith examines, dissects, and refutes the myriad "proofs" offered by theists - sophisticated, professional theologians - as well as the average religious layperson. He explores the historical and psychological havoc wrought by religion in general and concludes that religious belief cannot have any place in the life of modern, rational man. "It is not my purpose to convert people to atheism . . . (but to) demonstrate that the belief in God is irrational to the point of absurdity. If a person wishes to continue believing in a god, that is his prerogative, but he can no longer excuse his belief in the name of reason and moral necessity."

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe question of God is simply too important--and too interesting--to leave to angry polemicists. That is the premise of this friendly, straightforward, and rigorous dialogue between Christian theologian Randal Rauser and atheist Justin Schieber. Setting aside the formality of the traditional debate, the authors invite the reader to join them in an extended, informal conversation. This has the advantage of easing readers into thorny topics that in a debate setting can easily become confusing or difficult to follow. Like any good conversation, this one involves provocative arguments, amusing anecdotes, and some lively banter. Rauser and Schieber begin with the question of why debates about God still matter. They then delve into a number of important topics: the place of reason and faith, the radically different concepts of God in various cultures, morality and its traditional connection with religious beliefs, the problem of a universe that is overwhelmingly hostile to life as we know it, mathematical truths and what they may or may not say about the existence of God, the challenge of suffering and evil to belief in God, and more. Refreshingly upbeat and amicable throughout, this stimulating conversation between two friends from opposing points of view is an ideal introduction to a perennial topic of debate.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA psychiatrist presents a compelling argument for how human purpose and caring emerged in a spontaneous and unguided universe. Can there be purpose without God? This book is about how human purpose and caring, like consciousness and absolutely everything else in existence, could plausibly have emerged and evolved unguided, bottom-up, in a spontaneous universe. A random world--which according to all the scientific evidence and despite our intuitions is the actual world we live in--is too often misconstrued as nihilistic, demotivating, or devoid of morality and meaning. Drawing on years of wide-ranging, intensive clinical experience as a psychiatrist, and his own family experience with cancer, Dr. Lewis helps readers understand how people cope with random adversity without relying on supernatural belief. In fact, as he explains, although coming to terms with randomness is often frightening, it can be liberating and empowering too. Written for those who desire a scientifically sound yet humanistic view of the world, Lewis's book examines science's inroads into the big questions that occupy religion and philosophy. He shows how our sense of purpose and meaning is entangled with mistaken intuitions that events in our lives happen for some intended cosmic reason and that the universe itself has inherent purpose. Dispelling this illusion, and integrating the findings of numerous scientific fields, he shows how not only the universe, life, and consciousness but also purpose, morality, and meaning could, in fact, have emerged and evolved spontaneously and unguided. There is persuasive evidence that these qualities evolved naturally and without mystery, biologically and culturally, in humans as conscious, goal-directed social animals. While acknowledging the social and psychological value of progressive forms of religion, the author respectfully critiques even the most sophisticated theistic arguments for a purposeful universe. Instead, he offers an evidence-based, realistic yet optimistic and empathetic perspective. This book will help people to see the scientific worldview of an unguided, spontaneous universe as awe-inspiring and foundational to building a more compassionate society.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a study of God as a concept, not from the perspective of any religious tradition, but rather as belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing and loving supernatural entity as has prevailed through the ages. The book reviews arguments throughout history for and against the idea of such a God. One unique perspective is to ask what can be modeled about God in denotative language of rationality (much as modeling in science, medicine and economics) in contrast to connotative language (e.g., myth, metaphor, art and music).Since the early Greeks there have been skeptics concerning God, with progressively more questioning since the Enlightenment. Today’s “new atheists” are seen as being even more assertive, and as having little respect for religious and philosophical traditions and the natural longing for some kind of supreme being. However, as demographic trends continue to diminish the influence of the church, there is opportunity for atheism to gain respect by respecting the beliefs of others. The book ends with some considerations of what it means to respect others’ beliefs and cultural traditions without abandoning a sincere disbelief in a supernatural being.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJames Randi leaves a towering legacy as an internationally known magician, escape artist, and devoted investigator of the paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims that have captured the thinking of the public for generations. From ESP and psychokinesis, psychic detectives, levitation, psychic surgery, and even UFOs and astrology, Randi dedicated his life to exposing frauds and swindlers. Forty years after the original publication of his landmark book, Flim-Flam! remains a classic, with insights that are still relevant today – and perhaps even more so. In this timeless and timely book, Randi famously explores and exposes outrageous deceptions that plague our minds and media. Unafraid to call researchers to account for their failures and impostures, Randi tells us that we have been badly served by scientists who have failed to follow the procedures required by their training and traditions. Mr. Randi provides readers with a compelling and convincing document that will startle and enlighten all who continue to seek out the truth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat happens when your entire life and career are constructed around a religious faith that you no longer possess? Do you continue to promote a gospel that you have intellectually and emotionally rejected to maintain your livelihood and the support and respect you receive from your community? Or do you renounce your faith to your congregation and the public at large, putting yourself and your family at risk? From Apostle to Apostate offers a comprehensive introduction to the Clergy Project, established in 2011 to provide a safe space where clergy who have lost their faith can connect with others facing the exact same questions—often alone and in isolation. Charting the origins, growth, and goals of the project, the book draws on the author’s own experience as a founding project member and on interviews with its founders. It also reveals the troubles and triumphs experienced by many of its members, whose numbers have grown from just over 50 to more than 500 in a few short years. As the book movingly demonstrates, despite the substantial personal and professional challenges nonbelieving clergy face, for many, a loss of faith has turned out not to be a loss at all—but a gain of newfound community, self-respect, and honesty with themselves and others.Trade ReviewFrom Richard Dawkins' Foreword - This beautifully written book, the testament of a sensitive, empathetic and highly intelligent woman, is in part a deeply moving personal memoir, in part an essential source document for future histories of the Clergy project. a priest, pastor or Rabbi whom through the power of thought in the clear light of reason or the dark night of the soul, becomes an atheist, is in a uniquely vulnerable position. Catherine Dunphys wrenching ordeal when her mother learned of her apostasy is all too typical."In this fascinating volume, part personal memoir, part social commentary, Catherine Dunphy shines a light on one of the most complex and understudied phenomena of our secularising agethe plight of once-believing but now nonbelieving clergy. The results are impossible to put down." Andrew Copson, chief executive, British Humanist Association"Many years ago I struggled with a debilitating form of panic disorder. Finally I was lucky enough to listen to a recording of others who suffered from the same, recovered, and were brave enough to share their stories. Instantly my life changed for the better. In a moment I learned that I was not alone and that I was not flawed.  This book and Catherine's story in particular will give many that same depth of relief, along with a true sense of belonging and peace of mind! She assures us that we're not alone nor are we flawed. Her story is captivating, the language is pure poetry, and the resulting insights are life changing . . . life enhancing. Consider yourself lucky for reading this book." Jerry DeWitt, autor, Hope After Faith: An Ex-Pastor's Journey from Belief to Atheism"I love the blend of the scholarly and the personal in Catherine Dunphy's From Apostle to Apostate . This fascinating account of what happens when clergy embrace reason and abandon faith comes with dizzingly high stakes and life-altering revelations. A former clergyperson myself, I resonate with the truths on every page. Deftly written and bravely told, From Apostle to Apostate deserves a wide reading and is sure to provoke lively discussion." Mary Johnson, author, An Unquenchable Thirst: A Memoir"Not all clergy are slick evangelists or abusers of children. Many entered the ministry with a sincere and hopeful desire to promote truth and meet human needs. But now some of them, for the same reasons, have stepped away. Catherine Dunphy is one of those caring and intelligent ministers who no longer believes in the supernatural and has found her way out. Her warmth and insight will help others make the same painful but honest transition from apostle to apostate." Dan Barker, co-president, Freedom From Religion Foundation; author, Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning"As someone intimately involved in developing the Clergy Project, I thought I knew everything about it, so I was surprised and delighted to find new insights in Catherine Dunphy's From Apostle to Apostate . I love the way she interweaves the story of the Clergy Project and personal insights from its members with religious philosophy and her own experiences with Roman Catholicism. The cleverly placed Bible quotes are a nice touch. Her Jesuit education has found a useful expression in this book beyond anything she or the theologians who taught her ever could have imagined." Linda LaScola, coauthor with Daniel C. Dennett, Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind"It's never easy to reveal a secret. To do so when it could turn your life upside-down and possibly alienate everyone you love is a tremendous act of courage. Catherine Dunphy went through that difficult journey.  Through her work with the Clergy Project and in From Apostle to Apostate , she helps us all navigate that world. Whether you're a pastor or a teenager living in the Bible Belt, Dunphy reminds those who doubt the existence of God that they're not alone." Hemant Mehta, editor, FriendlyAtheist.com"In laying bare her own journey from devout Catholic seminarian student to nonbeliever, Catherine Dunphy humanizes the Clergy Project. She reveals how and why she and other clergy left behind the restraints of organized religious belief, overcame the pain of losing faith, and found new meaning in secular activism. Hers is but one of many remarkable stories of the difficult transition most of her new humanist colleagues share as they confront their doubts about faith and fears of ostracism from friends and family. It takes bravery to not simply bury doubt about faith. Ultimately From Apostle to Apostate is a lively, smart, and necessary story about the freedom found through the rationalist humanity of like-minded people." Gerald Posner, author, God's Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first book on Christian apologetics written by a leading atheist figure that teaches Christians the best and worst arguments for defending their faith against attack The Christian faith has been vigorously defended with a variety of philosophical, historical, and theological arguments, but many of the arguments used in an earlier age no longer resonate in today’s educated West. Where has apologetics gone wrong? What is the best response to the growing challenge presented by scientific discovery and naturalistic thought? Unlike every work on Christian apologetics that has come before, How to Defend the Christian Faith is the first one written by an atheist for Christians. As a former Christian defender who is now a leading atheist thinker, John Loftus answers these questions and more. He tells would-be apologists how to train properly, where to study, what to study, what issues they should concern themselves with, and how poorly the professors who currently train them practice their craft. In the process, he shows readers why Christian apologists have failed to reach the intelligent nonbeliever. For those Christian apologists who think this book will provide a secret formula to convert the nonbelieving masses, be warned: as an exposÉ of the present state of Christian aplogetics, it can just as easily be used by atheists to refute apologetic arguments. Thus, this book presents both an opportunity and a challenge to Christians: they must either change how apologetics is done, or quit doing apologetics altogether.Trade Review"I don't know anyone who can match the high definition clarity of John Loftus when it comes to navigating the labyrinthine world of Christian evangelical apologetics for the general public. This is a relentless and incisive critique of the pseudo-scholarship that passes for genuine intellectual inquiry under the name of Christian apologetics." Dr. Hector Avalos, Professor of Religious Studies, Iowa State University; author, The End of Biblical Studies , Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Ethics of Biblical Scholarship, and The Bad Jesus: The Ethics of New Testament Ethics"Loftus is one of the few atheists who actually understands religion. This book displays the knowledge of a Christian theologian as well as rationality of an atheist. Both sides can learn a lot from it." Dr. David Eller, author, Natural Atheism , Atheism Advanced: Further Thoughts of a Freethinker , and Introducing Anthropology of Religion: Culture to the Ultimate"Once again, Loftus raises the bar in the enduring conversation between atheists and Christian apologists with How to Defend the Christian Faith . This book will sharpen and hone the argument for either side, and woe to the unread debater going against someone who has absorbed this book's relentless reasoning. I highly recommend this book for anyone who debates religionon either side." David Silverman, President, American Atheists, Inc"For years I have despaired about the sorry state of Christian apologetics, and even sorrier state of Christian apologists. If there be Christian truth, it lies beyond the reach of rational inquiry, and perhaps that is OK. In How to Defend the Christian Faith , John Loftus lays waste to a colosseum full of bad arguments, including my own tentative efforts at the problem of evil. (Loftus says I am 'ignorant' but less ignorant than Ken Ham, which was a relief.) Believers should read Loftus's engaging assault on their intellectual champions. They will be dismayed at how often they agree. I know I was." Karl Gilberson, Scholar-in-Residence, Science & Religion, Stonehill College; author, Saving the Original Sinner: How Christians Have Used the Bible's First Man to Oppress, Inspire, and Make Sense of the World"The world has just become a richer place. Who can calculate the added value to our planet when bright, young aspiring apologists decide to redirect their talents and energies to evidence-based careers? Many of themthe ones who sincerely care about truthwill certainly do that after reading the wise counsel in John Loftus' caring and sobering book. How to Defend the Christian Faith is a welcome mutual aid for Apologists Anonymous." Dan Barker, author, Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning ; Co-President, Freedom From Religion Foundation"Kudos to Loftus for another amazing text that will stand the test of time. My advice to readers? Buy it! Read it! Tell others about it, especially those who need it the mostevangelicals and believers who need a dose of objective reality and science-based reasoning." Sharon Nichols, retired Associate Professor, Geography, College of DuPage; former President, Illinois Geographical Society"With wit and insight, Loftus offers the believer the tricks necessary to remain in the faith and to persuade others to do likewise. Self-delusion and deception are necessary attributes and Loftus humorously explains how it is done from someone who has been there. This is a great book for the believer who is ready to take an honest look at the moral and intellectual cost of his or her faith." Carolyn Hyppolite, author, Still Small Voices: The Testimony of a Born Again Atheist"In this book John Loftus provides some insightful criticisms of arguments by Christian thinkers, including those having to do with the problem of evil." Dr. Chad Meister, Professor, Philosophy, Bethel College; author, Evil: A Guide for the Perplexed

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerfect for those interested in learning more about what the Bible actually says but who have neither the time nor the interest to read the actual thing Ever thought you should know more about what’s in the Bible, not because you believe in any religion, but because it’s the most read book in history? Before you dust off the family Bible, or reach into the hotel bed stand, The Nonbeliever’s Guide to Bible Stories will save you a lot of time and trouble. Coupling an editor’s pen with a skeptic’s commentary and humorist’s wit, it offers the highlights of each book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and distills them into quick, entertaining, bite-sized chunks. It’s all here: the characters, famous quotes, tall tales, and references often heard in film, music, art, literature, and conversation. You’ll also learn about all the sex, murder, harlotry, intrigue, magic tricks, ghosts, and sin that help fill sermons on Sunday mornings.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAtheists may be among the fastest growing “religious” demographics in the world, but they are also perhaps the most misunderstood. To begin, atheists have no identifying marks, no defining habits, no obvious symbols, for all that unites them, essentially, is an absence of belief. As a result, many religious believers may not even realize they know atheists, whether as neighbors, friends, or coworkers. In addition, most major religions warn against the faithless and preach distrust of nonbelievers. This creates not only ignorance about what it’s like to be an atheist, but also fear about the very idea of atheism. Organized like an encyclopedia, this book aims to rectify this widespread distrust and suspicion with basic understanding. Each entry, written in clear, concise language, covers a specific topic or question related to being an atheist, making this the perfect primer for anyone curious about or interested in atheism—whether to learn more about why someone might become an atheist, how someone creates meaning and purpose as an atheist, and what life is like as an atheist.Trade Review"Andrew Sneddon's A is for Atheist -- An A to Z of the Godfree Life is a philosopher's jargon free take on atheism and religion. There are plenty of impenetrable philosophical treatises on these subjects out there. Sneddon promises and thankfully delivers instead joyfully readable stuff you can read on the train or bus or while stuck on a plane. From A for Atheist to G for Guff and O for Ockham's Razor to Z for Zounds, this volume offers Sneddon's deeply thoughtful and highly entertaining take on a godfree life. There is even a Q for Quiz, you better take it! Highly recommended!" Andrew Sneddon

Read more less

Book SynopsisWomen have made great strides toward equal rights over the past hundred years, especially in the West. But when considering the ongoing fight over reproductive rights and equal pay—and the prevalence of sexual violence and domestic abuse—it is clear that a significant gap still exists. With scripture often cited as justification for the marginalization of women, it is time to acknowledge that one of the final barriers to full equality for women is religion. Much has been written about the great strides humankind has made in knocking down many long-held religious beliefs, whether related to the age of the earth or the origin of the species. But religion’s negative impact on women has been less studied and discussed. This book is a step toward changing that. Twenty-two women from a variety of backgrounds and Judeo-Christian traditions share their personal stories about how they came to abandon organized religion, and how they discovered life after moving away from religious and supernatural beliefs. Their words serve both as a celebration of all who have taken similar steps under the weight of thousands of years of religious history—and as a source of inspiration for those individuals, especially women, who have deep doubts about their own belief traditions but who don’t yet know how to embrace life without falling back on religion.Trade Review"All three Abrahamic religions are nasty, and women have borne the brunt of the nastiness throughout history. It still persists, and it is moving to listen to women of today telling their personal histories of the various ways in which religion has oppressed them, from childhood on. In their interestingly different ways their testimonies seem to add up to the same story, a story as old as the myth of Eve. I closed the book with uplifted admiration for all these women and for their courage in breaking their historic fetters." Richard Dawkins, author, The God Delusion"From these delightful and varied stories we learn how many women are taught to feel inferior, sinful, wicked, and worthless but also how many escaped, some through sudden realisation and others after long suffering. Any woman who is hovering on the verge of giving up her indoctrination should read this book." Susan Blackmore, author, The Meme Machine"When we see the world through other people's eyes, our horizons are expanded and our lives enriched. Karen Garst's compilation promotes just that." Candace R.M. Gorham, LPC, author, The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Women Are Walking Out on Religion--and Other Should Too"Sometimes funny, sometimes fierce, often sad and exuberant in turnthese essays invite us along on twenty-two journeys into and out of religionmany from the vantage of a woman who at some point in her life tried to live by a biblical script and then discovered something better." Valerie Tarico, psychologist and author, Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light and Deas and Other Imaginings"This is one of the most important books on women and religion in the last quarter century." Peter Boghossian, author, A Manual for Creating Atheists"Providing rich testimony from a variety of world views and walks of life, Women Beyond Belief is a refreshing snapshot of the cultural and social issues that inform women's transition to secularism and nonbelief." Sikivu Hutchinson, author, Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics and the Values Wars and Godless Americana: Race and Religious Rebels"Why would anyone embrace a male-dominated religion in today's world, or any religion for that matter? Specifically, why would women embrace the religion of their male oppressors? Given the stories told in this wonderful tell-all book, they shouldn't . . . . I bid all readers to follow the reasoning and examples of the authors in this book. Their stories are quite revealing and fascinating. Highly recommended!" John W. Loftus, author, Why I Became an Atheist ; editor, Christianity Is Not Great" Women Beyond Belief is a book of revelation, stories of social conditioning and personal self-doubt that have kept women 'in their place' historically and in our modern, supposedly educated world. Besides the sometimes wrenching accounts of eventual awakening, Karen Garst provides a very useful account of the Judeo-Christian tradition's subordination of women that should be read by any woman who still labours under the delusion of a beneficial deity." Meredith Doig, President, Rationalist Society of Australia Inc.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of religion in the twenty-first-century West has been defined, in part, by the stories of once-zealous pastors moving beyond their faith to embrace a life of reason. But too often and too quickly ardent believers dismiss such accounts as aberrations and fail to consider the real-life implications for those who make this transition. Atheists and other skeptics, meanwhile, struggle to understand what took these individuals so long to make such a journey—and why others aren’t lining up more quickly to do the same. As a result, the questions posed by one side inevitably mirror those asked by the other. Why do believers trust in God the way they do? But what factors lead atheists to dismiss religious beliefs so easily? How can believers have faith in the face of known science and history? But what allows anyone to be so sure their beliefs are based in reality? What would it take for believers to stop believing in God? But what would it take for nonbelievers to start to believe? Drawing on the author’s own story as a former evangelical pastor powerless to stop his turn to atheism, The Rise and Fall of Faith touches on these and other questions, inviting readers into a long-overdue conversation between Christians and atheists. While the aim of the book is to initiate this much-needed discussion, the author encourages all who care about the future of humanity to carry the dialogue forward—whether in the evaluation of our own inner thoughts, in the assumptions we make about the other side, or in how we work together in the pursuit of understanding and common ground as we navigate the world’s ever-changing and increasingly challenging religious and cultural landscape.Trade Review"An extraordinary offering . . . a cinematic drama . . . an alternative to rancor and a path toward understanding." Gretta Vosper, Minister, West Hill United Church of Toronto; author, With or Without God: Why the Way We Live is More Important Than What We Believe"A deep, satisfying, and ultimately hopeful read." Katherine Ozment, author, Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in the Secular Age"A gratifying and memorable read." Dale McGowan, founder, Foundation Beyond Belief; author, In Faith and In Doubt: How Religious Believers and Non-Believers Can Create Strong Marriages and Loving Families"A wonderful journey of thought through a path strewn with valuable insights." Roy Speckhardt, executive director, American Humanist Association; author, Creating Change Through Humanism"This is a joy to read. It's written . . . with humor, sincerity, and openness." Linda LaScola, co-author, Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind ; co-founder, The Clergy Project"This book is for anyone looking to understand the evangelical mind." Robyn Blumner, president and CEO, Center for Inquiry; CEO, Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science"I could not put it down." Darrel Ray, founder, Recovering from Religion; author, God & Sex: How Religion Distorts Sexuality"This polarized country of ours needs more leaders like Drew Bekius." Bart Campolo, Humanist Chaplain, University of Southern California

Read more less

Book SynopsisGreat journeys often start with a single question. For D. K. Evans, a newly married professional in the Christian-dominated South, that question was, “Why Do I Believe in God?” That simple query led him on a years-long search to better understand the nature of religion and faith, particularly as it applies to the Black community. While many taking such a journey today might immerse themselves in the writing of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, Evans took inspiration not only from John Henrik Clarke, Yosef-Ben Jochannan, Hubert Harrison, and John G. Jackson, champions of a rich Black tradition of challenging religious orthodoxy, but also from many others in his own community who had similarly come to question their core religious beliefs. While this journey eventually led him to discount the notion of God, he calls on all to ask their own questions, particularly those within the Black community who act on blind faith. While their own journey might not lead to his truth, he acknowledges, that is the only way they will ever emancipate themselves from the truths thrust on them by others and arrive at their most important truth—their own.Trade Review" Emancipation of a Black Atheist offers an emotional and intellectual odyssey through the expansive sea of religion in the Black community . . . . Believers will appreciate the respect Dr. Evans pays them, but they may encounter challenging questions about their own faith. Nonbelievers will find comfort in his familiar and relatable experiences. All will be challenged by his prescriptions for bridging over the troubled waters that stand between believers and nonbelievers in the Black community." Candace R. M. Gorham, LPC, author, The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religionand Others Should Too

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt's easier than you may think to make intelligent replies to skeptics – with a little training. Answering Skeptics covers all the major objections in chapters that are both compact and compelling, with helpful summaries. If you find yourself reaching out only to lapsed Christians, your horizons are about to broaden. Engage agnostics, atheists, and members of the world religions with confidence.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt's easier than you may think to make intelligent replies to skeptics – with a little training. Answering Skeptics covers all the major objections in chapters that are both compact and compelling, with helpful summaries. If you find yourself reaching out only to lapsed Christians, your horizons are about to broaden. Engage agnostics, atheists, and members of the world religions with confidence.

Read more less