Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know®

Description

Over the last decade, "New Atheists" such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have pushed the issue of atheism to the forefront of public discussion. Yet very few of the ensuing debates and discussions have managed to provide a full and objective treatment of the subject. Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know provides a balanced look at the topic, considering atheism historically, philosophically, theologically, sociologically and psychologically. Written in an easily accessible style, the book uses a question and answer format to examine the history of atheism, arguments for and against atheism, the relationship between religion and science, and the issue of the meaning of life-and whether or not one can be a happy and satisfied atheist. Above all, the author stresses that the atheism controversy is not just a matter of the facts, but a matter of burning moral concern, both about the stand one should take on the issues and the consequences of one's commitment. Atheism Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Prologue 1 From the Greeks to the Enlightenment 2 From the Enlightenment to the Present 3 Statistics 4 God and Humans 5 Belief 6 The Matter of Science 7 Questions for the Christian 8 Are There Good Reasons to Believe? 9 Alternative Religions 10 Naturalistic Explanations 11 Is Religion Evil? 12 The Meaningful Life Envoi References Index