Showing titles in Atheism

What does "real" faith look like and how do you know it when you have it? And what allows anyone to be so sure their beliefs are based in reality? The Rise and Fall of Faith touches on these and other questions. While the aim of the audiobook is to initiate a much-needed conversation between Christians and atheists, it will be up to each of us to carry the discussion forward.

In this bold and hopeful book, theologian Daniel C. Maguire writes that traditional, supernatural aspects of Christianity can be comforting but are increasingly questionable. A century of scholarly research has not been supportive of the dogmatic triad of personal god, incarnate savior, and life after death. Demonstrating that these beliefs have questionable roots in historical traditions, Maguire argues for a return to that brilliant and revolutionary moral epic of the Hebrew and Christian Bible.

Unbelievers looks back to the middle ages when it seemed impossible not to subscribe to Christianity, through the crisis of the Reformation and to the powerful, challenging cultural currents of the centuries. The religious journey of the Western world was lived and steered not just by the celebrated thinkers of the day – the Machiavellis and Michel de Montaignes – but by men and women at every level of society, whose voices and feelings permeate this book in the form of diaries, letters and court records.

Throughout human history religions have been a staggeringly powerful force in the hearts and minds of their adherents and in society as a whole. They have moved men and women to inspiring acts of bravery and spurred the creation of some of the most sublime works of art, and arguably have been pivotal in the creation of stable societies and the social order we see today. At the same time, though, they have also been responsible for some of the most heinous atrocities ever committed.

The father of the intelligent design movement, Phillip E. Johnson, thinks the new atheists are right! How? They’ve put serious discussion about God back on the public agenda. Despite their conclusions, folks like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett are asking the right questions. They’re making belief in any religion an issue again, especially in the university context where, for decades, questions about faith and reason have been taken off the table for serious discussion. Open debate is exactly what we need on the topics of God, evolution, and creation.

Feminism and atheism are “dirty words” that Americans across the political spectrum love to debate - and hate. Throw them into a blender and you have a toxic brew that supposedly defies decency, respectability, and Americana. Putting gender at the center of the equation, progressive “Religious Nones” of color are spearheading an anti-racist, social justice humanism that disrupts the “colorblind” ethos of European American atheist and humanist agendas, which focus principally on church-state separation.

In Evidence Considered: A Response to Evidence for God, Glenton Jelbert seeks to explore and test the arguments advanced by apologists and ultimately show why none of them persuade him. As a former Christian, Jelbert handles the topic with sensitivity. He examines the evidence for God, by responding to a series of 50 essays by Christian apologists. These essays were written by 37 different authors and collected together by William Dembski and Michael Licona in Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy and Science.

This is an abbreviated version of "Scientific Approach to the Meaning of Life," where science and spirituality intertwine through the captivating narrative of the author's personal journey. This compact yet profound book draws upon a spectrum of scientific fields, while also charting the complex and mixed paths of religion and science through history, aiming to shed light on one of humanity's most profound questions – What is the meaning of life?

Growing up in a strict Muslim community in London, Alom Shaha learnt that religion was not to be questioned. Reciting the Qur'an without understanding what it meant was simply part of life; so was obeying the imam and enduring beatings when he failed to attend the local mosque. Shaha was more drawn to science, and as a teen, he lived between two worlds: the home controlled by his authoritarian father, and a school alive with books and ideas. In this charming blend of memoir, philosophy, and science, Shaha explores the questions about faith and the afterlife that we all ponder.

Tackling a host of myths and prejudices commonly leveled at atheism, this captivating audiobook bursts with sparkling, eloquent arguments. The authors rebut claims that range from atheism being just another religion to the alleged atrocities committed in its name.

Joe Armstrong spent nine years studying for the Catholic priesthood. He no longer believes in God. This is his acclaimed, searingly honest coming-of-age memoir of his nine years in the Marist Fathers seminary in 1980s Dublin, Ireland. This is a rare authentic insight into the true lives of celibate seminarians and priests. It is also of interest to those struggling with co-dependency, giving a frank portrayal of a complex relationship with a dysfunctional mother. It is also a fascinating portrayal of an experience with counseling, and how it can help us to break destructive patterns...

"Secular Illuminations: A Journey Through Reason and Compassion," authored by Tony L. Churchill, is a compelling exploration into the realms of secular thought and atheistic morality. This book challenges traditional religious doctrines and advocates for a life enriched by reason and compassion, guiding listeners through the historical and cultural evolution of secularism, the redefinition of morality beyond divine command, and the dispelling of myths surrounding atheism.

A priest and a dying atheist engage in a final dialogue. Reason vs. faith, and in the end...

"The Necessity of Atheism" is an essay on atheism by the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, printed in 1811 when he was a student at University College, Oxford. He argues that an educated man ought to turn away from superstition and that education is essential because religion is really about power.

Debating Religion is a practical, hands-on guide-book for debunking common religious arguments in real time. Most of the book is comprised of short segments that introduce common religious arguments followed by replies that debunk them - simply, quickly, and straight to the point. You’ll also learn the most effective counterarguments you can mount and the do's and don’ts for successfully debating religious believers.

What drives us to be good? How do we even know how to be good? Philosophers and theologians have dealt with such questions for millennia, but Dan Barker thinks the answers are not so complicated. In Mere Morality, he argues there's no need to appeal to supernatural commandments or the fear of some higher power when considering morality. Stripping “good" and "evil” down to the basics, he offers a simple compass for navigating life's most difficult moral and ethical dilemmas.

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.

Leona is cast into bewildering disgrace and poverty with a baby, a violent husband, and shattered faith. She hacks through the bones of her Mennonite naiveté to confront harsh realities. This riveting and morally unflinching memoir, recommended by Ms. Magazine, delivers intense suspense, humor, and unusual wisdom.

Women have made great strides toward equal rights over the past 100 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.

And Yet... gathers the previously uncollected essays of the late Christopher Hitchens into a final volume of peerless prose from one of the great thinkers of our times. Christopher Hitchens was an unparalleled, prolific writer who raised the polemical essay to a new art form over a lifetime of thinking and debating the defining issues of our times.