Humanist and secular alternatives to religion

"e;Jacoby writes with wit and vigor, affectionately resurrecting a man whose life and work are due for reconsideration"e; (The Boston Globe).

In this provocative book one of the most brilliant scholars of religion today dismantles distorted religious “histories” offered up by Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and other contemporary critics of religion and advocates of atheism.

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility.

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility.

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility.

A new perspective.

SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'A highly readable, fascinating book that jerks the debate on religion versus atheism right out of its crusted rut into the light of serious intellectual scrutiny' ObserverA meditation on the importance of atheism in the modern world - and its inadequacies and contradictions - by one of Britain's leading philosophers'When you explore older atheisms, you will find some of your firmest convictions - secular or religious - are highly questionable.

On October 19, 1876 a group of leading French citizens, both men and women included, joined together to form an unusual group, The Society of Mutual Autopsy, with the aim of proving that souls do not exist.

Thoughtful essays to revive dialogue about atheism beyond belief.

During his 2009 inaugural speech, President Obama described the United States as a nation of "e;Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus--and nonbelievers.

Some argue that atheism must be false, since without God, no values are possible, and thus "e;everything is permitted.

During his 2009 inaugural speech, President Obama described the United States as a nation of "e;Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus--and nonbelievers.

While atheists such as Richard Dawkins have now become public figures, there is another and perhaps darker strain of religious rebellion that has remained out of sight--people who hate God.

While atheists such as Richard Dawkins have now become public figures, there is another and perhaps darker strain of religious rebellion that has remained out of sight--people who hate God.

Some argue that atheism must be false, since without God, no values are possible, and thus "e;everything is permitted.

Surveys over the last twenty years have seen an ever-growing number of Americans disclaim religious affiliations and instead check the "e;none"e; box.

Surveys over the last twenty years have seen an ever-growing number of Americans disclaim religious affiliations and instead check the "e;none"e; box.

Over the last decade, "e;New Atheists"e; such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have pushed the issue of atheism to the forefront of public discussion.

Over the last decade, "e;New Atheists"e; such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have pushed the issue of atheism to the forefront of public discussion.

For many of us, the question of whether or not God exists is one of the most perplexing and profound questions of our lives, and numerous philosophers and theologians have debated it for centuries.

For many of us, the question of whether or not God exists is one of the most perplexing and profound questions of our lives, and numerous philosophers and theologians have debated it for centuries.

A significant number of Americans view atheists as immoral elitists, aloof and unconcerned with the common good, and they view science and scientists as responsible.

A significant number of Americans view atheists as immoral elitists, aloof and unconcerned with the common good, and they view science and scientists as responsible.

The number of people claiming no religious affiliation has skyrocketed in recent years, and that growth shows no signs of slowing down.

The number of people claiming no religious affiliation has skyrocketed in recent years, and that growth shows no signs of slowing down.

This volume offers a new account of the relationship between literary and secularist scenes of writing in interwar Britain.

This volume offers a new account of the relationship between literary and secularist scenes of writing in interwar Britain.

In a time marked by prominent public clashes between theists and atheists, much less attention has been given to the question of agnosticism, whether in public debate or in academic literature.

In a time marked by prominent public clashes between theists and atheists, much less attention has been given to the question of agnosticism, whether in public debate or in academic literature.

Atheism is often considered to be a negative or pessimistic belief which is characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion.

Atheism is often considered to be a negative or pessimistic belief which is characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion.

Theology, Music, and Modernity addresses the question: how can the study of music contribute to a theological reading of modernity?

Theology, Music, and Modernity addresses the question: how can the study of music contribute to a theological reading of modernity?

For 50 years, Margaret Mead told Americans how cultures worked, and Americans listened.

For 50 years, Margaret Mead told Americans how cultures worked, and Americans listened.

Of those raised Catholic, just 13% still attend Mass weekly, and 37% say they have 'no religion'.

Of those raised Catholic, just 13% still attend Mass weekly, and 37% say they have 'no religion'.

Until the modern period the integration of church (or other religion) and state (or political life) had been taken for granted.

Until the modern period the integration of church (or other religion) and state (or political life) had been taken for granted.

This is not a book that provides a new integrated theory of religious change in modern societies, but rather one that develops theoretical elements that contribute to the understanding of some contemporary religious developments.

This is not a book that provides a new integrated theory of religious change in modern societies, but rather one that develops theoretical elements that contribute to the understanding of some contemporary religious developments.

This Dictionary of Atheism provides more than 150 definitions of terms related to the subject of atheism, ranging from those of historic importance, including the history of the term atheist itself, to crucial concepts in the contemporary study of atheism, such as agnosticism and scepticism.

Secularization in the Long 1960s: Numerating Religion in Britain provides a major empirical contribution to the literature of secularization.

Secularization in the Long 1960s: Numerating Religion in Britain provides a major empirical contribution to the literature of secularization.

In the early twenty-first century it had become a cliche that there was a 'God Gap' between a more religious United States and a more secular Europe.

In the early twenty-first century it had become a cliche that there was a 'God Gap' between a more religious United States and a more secular Europe.

The Oxford Handbook of Russian Religious Thought is an authoritative new reference and interpretive volume detailing the origins, development, and influence of one of the richest aspects of Russian cultural and intellectual life - its religious ideas.

The Oxford Handbook of Russian Religious Thought is an authoritative new reference and interpretive volume detailing the origins, development, and influence of one of the richest aspects of Russian cultural and intellectual life - its religious ideas.

Anthropologists have invariably engaged in their discipline as a form of redemption, whether to escape from social restriction, nourish their souls, reform their home polities, or vindicate "e;the natives.

Anthropologists have invariably engaged in their discipline as a form of redemption, whether to escape from social restriction, nourish their souls, reform their home polities, or vindicate "e;the natives.