Atheism for Dummies - (For Dummies) by Dale McGowan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For people seeking a non-religious philosophy of life, as well as believers with atheist friends, Atheism For Dummies offers an intelligent exploration of the historical and moral case for atheism. Often wildly misunderstood, atheism is a secular approach to life based on the understanding that reality is an arrangement of physical matter, with no consideration of unverifiable spiritual forces.

Atheism For Dummies offers a brief history of atheist philosophy and its evolution, explores it as a historical and cultural movement, covers important historical writings on the subject, and discusses the nature of ethics and morality in the absence of religion.

• A simple, yet intelligent exploration of an often misunderstood philosophy
• Explores the differences between explicit and implicit atheism
• A comprehensive, readable, and thoroughly unbiased resource

As the number of atheists worldwide continues to grow, this book offers a broad understanding of the subject for those exploring atheism as an approach to living.

From the Back Cover

Learn to:

• See the world as an atheist sees it
• Discover the rich history of atheist thought
• Encounter the Big Questions from a secular point of view

The friendly guide to understanding atheist thought, history, and literature!

Atheism is about much more than not believing in a god. Atheism For Dummies walks you through the rich history and evolution of atheist thought, delves into the relationship between atheism and science, explores the important historical moments and works of literature that have defined this secular philosophy, and so much more. Atheism For Dummies provides you with much-needed clarity around this often controversial and misunderstood topic. Whether you're a religious skeptic, a student of secular thought, or just interested in what atheism is about, then Atheism For Dummies is for you.

• Look at the spectrum of belief and disbelief -- learn about the differences between atheism, humanism, antitheism, agnosticism, and more
• Unlock the mystery behind atheism -- find out what atheists don't believe, do believe, and why
• Follow atheism through the ages -- explore the evolution of atheist thought from the ancient world to today
• Read the rich written history of atheism -- delve into the great works of atheism and learn about their contributions to atheist philosophy
• Understand atheism today -- learn how atheists lead meaningful lives without religion
• Explore atheist ethics -- discover how atheists are good without God

Open the book and find:

• The many forms of religious disbelief
• Atheism as a cultural movement
• The progression of atheism from quiet doubt to global phenomenon
• Ways to look at a religious culture through nonreligious eyes
• How to deal with diversity of beliefs in your family
• The effects of science on atheist philosophy
• How atheism and religion affect politics
• Ten surprising things about atheists

About the Author

Dale McGowan, PhD, writes the popular secular blog The Meming of Life, teaches secular parenting workshops across North America, and is executive director of Foundation Beyond Belief, a humanist charitable organization. He has been interviewed in major publications, such as Newsweek and the New York Times, and was 2008 Harvard Humanist of the Year.