Showing titles in Atheism

Just as intelligent design is not a legitimate branch of biology in public educational institutions, nor should the philosophy of religion be a legitimate branch of philosophy. So argues acclaimed author John W. Loftus in this forceful takedown of the very discipline in which he was trained. In his call for ending the philosophy of religion, he argues that, as it is presently being practiced, the main reason the discipline exists is to serve the faith claims of Christianity.

Atheists 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.

Are you interested in preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation? Do you think a secular system is the only way to ensure freedom of religion and conscience for all? Do you want creationism out of classrooms, religious dogma out of health care, sectarian prayers out of government meetings, and taxpayer funding out of "faith-based" initiatives and programs that promote religious indoctrination? Think there's not much you can do about it? If so, as secular writer and activist Dan Arel demonstrates in word and deed, think again.

A biographical exposé of the dark side of modern corporate religion, as told by a former Evangelical fundamentalist Christian minister turned gay activist. Says Tom, "How did I ever fall for it? When I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart as my personal Lord and savior, I went all in. Years later I had to struggle to find a way to get out of both the ministry and the closet as well. I was a gay man trapped in the ranks of the Fightin' Fundies - constantly mentally recording their every word."

Atheism Explained explores the claims made both for and against the existence of God. On the pro side: that the wonders of the world can only be explained by an intelligent creator; that the universe had to start somewhere; telepathy, out-of-body experiences, and other paranormal phenomena demonstrate the existence of a spirit world; and that those who experience God directly provide evidence as real as any physical finding.

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.

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.

A Skeptic Challenges a Christian is a fictional conversation between a rigorous skeptic and a Christian. The skeptic raises numerous, demanding challenges, including, "How do you know God exists? Hasn't science disproven God and religion? Isn't the resurrection just a legend? Why would a good God allow suffering and evil?" This book is designed for the layperson. It covers a wide range of commonly asked questions posed to those who believe in God. This book is perfect for individuals and small groups.

Do you want the greatest political and societal challenges of the day to be addressed with thoughtful, reality-based solutions rather than with cherry-picked quotations from scripture? Do you want to shrink religion - especially fundamentalist religion - to the point that it plays no noticeable role in public life? Do you want right-wing religious leaders to be so unpopular that politicians avoid them rather than pander to them for endorsements? This book illustrates specific, actionable steps for facilitating fundamentalist religion's decline.

Parenting Without God is for parents who lack belief in a god and who are seeking guidance on raising free thinkers in a Christian-dominated nation. It will help parents give their children the tools to stand up to attempts at religious proselytization, whether by teachers, coaches, friends, or even other family members. It also offers advice on teaching children to question what others tell them and to reach their own conclusions based on evidence and reason.

People are constantly judged for their sexual choices, their frequency of sexual activity, their selection of partners, and their decisions regarding birth control, and much of this judgment stems from the element of culture perhaps most preoccupied with sex: religion. Focusing principally on Christianity, What the Bible Really Does (and Doesn't Say) about Sex examines the arguments religious moralizers and sanctimonious politicians make to condone or condemn certain sexual practices and lifestyles.

Après avoir secoué un certain nombre de nos croyances depuis la parution de son best-seller "Demandez et vous recevrez", Pierre Morency s'attaque ici de plein fouet aux fondements des écrits religieux et à la relation des humains avec le Père. Son postulat ? Dieu est content lorsque nous sommes gros, pauvres, malades et misérables. Il ne veut pas que nous trouvions le paradis terrestre. Pas pour rien qu'il a créé les comptables, les REER, les mises de côté, les religions, les codes d'éthique.

Atheist Meditation Atheist Spirituality is a guide and memoir that shows how spirituality and meditation can be practiced without faith in God(s), gurus, or the supernatural. Techniques such as mindfulness and vipassana meditation have been practiced for thousands of years; are corroborated by reason, psychology, and neuroscience; and help develop a sense of compassion, charity, and the pursuit of meaning and knowledge.

Neuroscience finds that spontaneous acts of mindfulness decrease stress, depression and anxiety, increasing overall well-being. But studies also show that purposeful mindfulness techniques, such as vipassana or mindfulness meditation, are even more powerful. Mindfulness meditation re-wires the brain in a way that decreases physical pain and psychological suffering.

Oui ! On peut être heureux sans dieu ni religion ! Avec des arguments implacables, l'auteur récuse les accusations faites à l'athéisme, rendu responsable du désenchantement de l'homme et du monde. Ne pas croire en une vie dans l'au-delà ne vide pas pour autant notre existence de sens, mais nous engage au contraire à profiter au maximum de ses joies et de ses beautés, dans une plus grande liberté d'esprit.

Are you someone who was raised going to church every Saturday or Sunday? Were your religious beliefs conditioned by someone else, like your parents? Guardians? Family or friends?

Jaclyn Glenn, a top millennial atheist, expresses her strong views in social media. But does her atheism represent the best way, or do we have a better way? In this work Andrew Bushard challenges atheist Jaclyn Glenn to embrace something better than atheism.

"This is going to be an adventure," James says presciently. "I have a feeling both of us are going to be very different after this." And so it proves, as one jaded New Yorker is swept by a spiritually radiant revolutionary on a journey of transformation, from the narcissistic bubble of New York City to the sweeping vistas of the Dhauladhar mountains in northern India.

The deepest riddle of Christianity is only this: How could anyone possibly believe it? In answer to this question, The Convert tells the true story of one man's punishing journey across the extremes of human experience, through fire and heartbreak, passion and betrayal, prison and madness, to the very brink of belief. This is the story of one man and one moment - the moment of God's triumph or sanity's defeat.

The human journey is an emotional quest to find truth and meaning. Countless books have presented this journey through the eyes of people who concluded their search with devotion to God, salvation by Jesus, or commitment to religion. But there's a changing zeitgeist in America and the world: a growing number of people are finding truth and meaning from the opposite perspective. Through 25 personal narratives, Generation Atheist tells their stories.