Showing results by publisher "-emdashery books-" in Agnosticism

There is but one form of human enslavement more villainous and more detestable than the chains of the tyrant or the shackles of the despot, and that is the enslavement of the human mind under ecclesiastical tyranny, whose cowering and crouching victims at the crack of the priestly lash are driven from the cultivation of their own intelligence, from the custody of their own thoughts, from the guardianship of their own souls, and who, like whipt dogs, trembling and whining in abject submission at the feet of the oppressor, lick the very hand that wields the lash.

“Vital” –The New York Times Book Review “Provocative…[Hazleton] paddles the river of doubt with energy and exuberance.” –The Seattle Times A widely admired writer on religion celebrates agnosticism as the most vibrant, engaging—and ultimately the most honest—stance toward the...

This is a passionate but breezy polemic that seeks to expose the harmful nature of religious orthodoxy, whether it be Christian, Jewish, or Moslem, which it contrasts with polytheism, specifically Greek polytheism, altogether a more relaxed system. It is also a forceful plea for the use of reason in pursuit of the biggest questions that confront us. An Ordinary Man’s Letter to God is not an attack on faith, nor does it advocate for atheism. It argues passionately for the use of reason to establish a universal doctrine of tolerance, decency, common sense, and love.

Humanism from the Heart by Steve Ghikadis is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to build bridges of understanding in a world divided by conflicting beliefs. Through personal stories and candid reflections, Steve shares his transformative journey—from struggling with religious apathy and growing resentment to embracing secular humanism, a philosophy rooted in empathy, reason, and meaningful connection.

Have you ever pondered how you came into existence, why you are here, the purpose of your life, and what awaits you after you depart from this world? These profound questions are a natural part of your existence, woven into the very fabric of your being by your creator, urging you to seek God and the meaning and purpose of your existence. The pursuit of meaning and purpose serves as a powerful driving force in your life.

Interfaith marriages fail more often than same-faith partnerships. So what are the chances of survival for the ultimate mixed marriage - one between religious and nonreligious partners? Nearly 20 percent of Americans now self-identify as nonreligious, including millions who are married to religious believers. Despite the differences, many of these marriages succeed beautifully. In this landmark book, popular author and secular humanist Dale McGowan explores some of the stories of these unions.

Whether you are a philosopher, a skeptic, or someone simply curious about the metaphysical, The Specific Gravity of the Soul will challenge your perceptions and inspire you to see the extraordinary in the everyday.

This personal story about a spiritual journey away from Christianity is an honest examination of what we can know about God. Popular religious beliefs and practices are challenged, with potential new information for those who may be questioning their faith. After formal academic study of religion, Baptist minister David Ramsey became agnostic and left the ministry altogether. In this book, he shares how his search for truth led to personal doubts about the foundation of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus, and eventually the very existence of God.

Atheists talk a lot about the importance of skepticism. But the truth is, they're not nearly skeptical enough. While atheists champion the importance of a critical stance toward religion, they often fail to take that same stance toward their own beliefs.

Russell once said, "Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric." His views on religion in general, and on Christianity in particular (as in this work), were considered "eccentric" by many of his contemporaries. So were his views on sex, which figures frequently as an example of the misery that Christian leaders and thinkers inflict, and for which he was often vilified. The lectures in this collection leave no doubt about his views on these and related subjects.

A biography that restores America's foremost 19th-century champion of reason and secularism to our still contested 21st-century public square. During the Gilded Age, which saw the dawn of America's enduring culture wars, Robert Green Ingersoll was known as "the Great Agnostic". The nation's most famous orator, he raised his voice on behalf of Enlightenment reason, secularism, and the separation of church and state with a vigor unmatched since America's revolutionary generation.

Mary Eberstadt, “one of the most acute and creative social observers of our time,” (Francis Fukuyama) shines a much-needed spotlight on a disturbing trend in American society: discrimination against traditional religious belief and believers, who are being aggressively pushed out of public...

Incorporating his own thoughts along with those of noted academics, philosophers, and theologians, Loftus is able to properly define "miracle" and then show why there's no reason to believe such a thing even exists.

In this first book of his Ten Tough Problems series, David Madison shares three critical problems in Christian belief. Problem One: God is invisible and silent. This fact forces humanity to rely on ineffective ways of knowing God — common knowledge, sacred books, visions, prayer, personal feelings, and theologians. But all these sources of God knowledge fall short as evidenced by a world of disagreement, not just between Christians and other religions, but within Christianity itself.

The Agnostic Mind invites the listener into a journey through uncertainty—not as weakness, but as a source of strength. Moving across the landscapes of philosophy, science, and daily life, it explores what it means to live without final answers yet without surrendering to despair.

In this essay, Ingersoll describes his religious education and the process of his arrival at the belief that agnosticism is the most reasonable world view.

Theism or Atheism, published in 1921, examines not only arguments for and against the existence of God, but also the practical usefulness of such a concept. The author writes, “Atheism would mean in practice an enormous concentration of energy upon purely human affairs, and a judgment of conduct in terms of human happiness and prosperity.”

Two thousand five hundred years ago, Confucius, Buddha, and Socrates all concluded, at slightly different times and thousands of miles apart, that a caring god simply did not exist. Then Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ (or rather the religion created in his name 334 years after his death) did their best to enslave humanity and hide that simple wisdom from us.

If you’re courageous enough to challenge what is for what will be and open your mind to an alternative vision of what being human can be, this book is for you. Self-Actualization in the Age of Crisis lays the foundation for the spiritual revolution humanity so desperately needs to transcend the deeply rooted struggles arising from our available systems of meaning and value. It’s time for a change, but all change begins with choice.

This audiobook will change and transform your perception of reality. This audiobook contains jewels of human reason and logic. Do not be dissuaded from the content if you do not consider yourself agnostic or atheist, as the majority of quotes are applicable to all walks of life. These quotes from loved historical figures and proverbs from around the world were collected during my life time and empowered and encouraged me to survive challenges and to enjoy life to the fullest.