Tackling a host of myths and prejudices commonly leveled at atheism, this captivating volume bursts with sparkling, eloquent arguments on every page. The authors rebut claims that range from atheism being just another religion to the alleged atrocities committed in its name. An accessible yet scholarly commentary on hot-button issues in the debate over religious belief. Teaches critical thinking skills through detailed, rational argument. Objectively considers each myth on its merits. Includes a history of atheism and its advocates, an appendix detailing atheist organisations and an extensive bibliography. Explains the differences between atheism and related concepts such as agnosticism and naturalism.
Acknowledgments Introduction 1 What is Atheism? Myth 1 Atheism is Just Another Type of Religion Myth 2 But the Courts Recognize Atheism as a Religion Myth 3 Atheists Believe in God but are in Denial Myth 4 Atheists are Certain There is No God Myth 5 Atheists Hate or are Angry with God Myth 6 Atheism is a Rebellion Against God's Authority Myth 7 Atheists See No Good in Religion Myth 8 No Atheist Believes in Anything Supernatural Myth 9 It Makes No Sense for an Atheist to Practice Any Kind of Religion Myth 10 Atheists Worship False Gods (Satan, Money, Materialism, etc.) 2 Atheist Living Myth 11 Atheism Robs Life of Meaning and Purpose Myth 12 Atheism is Depressing Myth 13 Atheists Have No Sense of Humor Myth 14 Atheists Don't Appreciate Some of the Greatest Works of Art Myth 15 There is no Christmas in Atheist Families Myth 16 Atheists Don't Appreciate the Beauty and Perfection of God's Creation Myth 17 Atheists Fear Death (More than Others) Myth 18 Atheists Turn to God When Death is Near Myth 19 There are no Atheists in Foxholes 3 Atheism, Ethics, and the Soul Myth 20 Without God There is No Morality Myth 21 Atheists are Moral Relativists Myth 22 Atheists Don't Give to Charity Myth 23 Atheists Deny the Sanctity of Human Life Myth 24 If There is No God We are Soulless Creatures 4 Name Calling Myth 25 Atheists are all Communists, Left-Wing, Liberal... Myth 26 Atheists Can't be Trusted Myth 27 Many Atrocities Have Been Committed in the Name of Atheism Myth 28 Adolf Hitler was an Atheist Myth 29 Atheists Give a Free Pass to Non-Christian Religions 5 Horrible, Strident Atheists Myth 30 Atheists are Arrogant Myth 31 Atheists are Intolerant Myth 32 Atheists Want to Ban Teaching Religion to Children Myth 33 Atheists Want to Strip People of their Beliefs Myth 34 Atheists Want to Ban Religion from the Public Square Myth 35 Atheists Don't Understand Moderate Religion Myth 36 We Should Fear a Fundamentalist or Militant Atheism Myth 37 Atheists are to Blame for Religious Fundamentalism 6 Faith and Reason Myth 38 Atheists Don't Understand the Nature of Faith Myth 39 Atheism Depends on Faith, Just the Same as Religion Myth 40 Atheism is Self-refuting, as Rational Argument Presumes the Existence of God 7 Religion and Science Myth 41 There is No Conflict Between Religion and Science Myth 42 Atheists Confuse Two Forms of Naturalism Myth 43 Atheism Implies Scientism Myth 44 Evolutionary Theory is a Form of Atheistic Religion Myth 45 Albert Einstein Professed a Belief in God Myth 46 Atheists Can't Explain Miracles Myth 47 Atheists Can't Explain the Resurrection 8 No Future for Atheism? Myth 48 Atheism is a Bad Bet (Pascal's Wager) Myth 49 Atheism is Only for an Educated Elite Myth 50 Atheism is Doomed in a Postsecular Age The Rise of Modern Atheism International Atheist and Related Organizations References Index
Russell Blackford is Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle, Australia. A renowned philosopher, literary critic, author and commentator on a range of topics including legal and political philosophy, philosophy of religion, meta-ethics, and philosophical bioethics, he is a prolific essayist and author whose works include Freedom of Religion and the Secular State (Wiley-Blackwell, 2012). Dr Blackford is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Evolution and Technology . Udo Schuklenk is Professor of Philosophy at Queen's University, Canada, where he holds the Ontario Research Chair in Bioethics. A renowned bioethicist, he is joint editor-in-chief of the international journals Bioethics and Developing World Bioethics . A prolific author and editor, he has produced 7 books and published more than 130 articles in international journals and anthologies, mostly on public health ethics, research ethics and end-of-life issues. He recently chaired an international expert panel drafting a landmark report on end-of-life care on behalf of the Royal Society of Canada.
Reviews for 50 Great Myths About Atheism
<p> Overall, Blackford and Schu¨ klenk s work is avaluable contribution to the debate between believers andnon-believers. (Journal of ContemporaryReligion, 1 August 2014) <p>Review appeared in Times Higher Education - 2 January 2014 I recommend it as useful reading both to those who arefreethinkers (whatever they call themselves, be it atheists,agnostics or secularists) and to believers , particularly thehard-core religious ones, though it might prove heavy-going forthem at times, and they are unlikely to be able to suspend beliefand permit scepticism to intrude into their blindfaith . (New Nurturing Potential, 1 September2013) I am happy to report that Blackford and Schuklenk scollaboration has given us an intellectually rigorous yetcompositionally relaxed book. It is clearly written, clear-headed,and amusing on occasion (especially with the inclusion of comicsfrom the Jesus & Mo website). It is simply organized, as thetitle indicates, with the authors taking on the 50 Myths one byone. (Neworld Review, Vol 6. No. 46)
