In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian and Sam Harris' recent best-seller, The End of Faith, Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. With a close and erudite reading of the major religious texts, he documents the ways in which religion is a man-made wish, a cause of dangerous sexual repression, and a distortion of our origins in the cosmos. With eloquent clarity, Hitchens frames the argument for a more secular life based on science and reason, in which hell is replaced by the Hubble Telescope's view of the universe, and Moses and the burning bush give way to the beauty of the double helix. Read more

A preeminent scientist -- and the world's most prominent atheist -- asserts the irrationality of belief in God and the grievous harm religion has inflicted on society, from the Crusades to 9/11.With rigor and wit, Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry, and abuses children, buttressing his points with historical and contemporary evidence. The God Delusion makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just wrong but potentially deadly. It also offers exhilarating insight into the advantages of atheism to the individual and society, not the least of which is a clearer, truer appreciation of the universe's wonders than any faith could ever muster. Read more

In “No Nonsense Spirituality,” author and philosopher, Britt Hartley offers a groundbreaking exploration that marries the rigor of rational inquiry with the depths of human spirituality. Best of all? No faith in the unbelievable is required.Drawing from the wellsprings of science, philosophy, religion, and psychology, this illuminating work charts a course for those who seek a meaningful life without dogma or woo. Hartley draws on her work as an atheist spiritual director to provide practical guidelines for navigating a secular approach to ritual, morality, awe, transcendence, wisdom, community, intuition, connection, and meaning that can withstand the harsh truths of reality.With wisdom gleaned from the best of rationalism and the timeless insights of religion, “No Nonsense Spirituality” offers pathways to the good life that honor the complexity of the human experience. Engaging, thought-provoking, and deeply resonant, this book invites readers to explore a new understanding of what it means to live the good life in the middle of a culture that ranges from cold skepticism to the unhealthy truth claims of religion and pseudoscience that cannot stand up to modern sensibilities. Read more

Part memoir, part guidebook, and part social history, For Small Creatures Such as We is the first book from the daughter of Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan - a luminous exploration of Earth's marvels that require no faith in order to be believed. "What is the meaning of life? Sagan finds its meaning everywhere - with her family, around the world, and especially among the stars of the cosmos. Read her work; you'll have a deeper appreciation for your every step, every bite, and every breath." (Bill Nye) Sasha Sagan was raised by secular parents, the astronomer Carl Sagan and the writer and producer Ann Druyan. They taught her that the natural world and vast cosmos are full of profound beauty, that science reveals truths more wondrous than any myth or fable. When Sagan herself became a mother, she began her own hunt for the natural phenomena behind our most treasured occasions - from births to deaths, holidays to weddings, anniversaries, and more - growing these roots into a new set of rituals for her young daughter that honor the joy and significance of each experience without relying on religious framework. As Sagan shares these rituals, For Small Creatures Such as We becomes a moving tribute to a father, a newborn daughter, a marriage, and the natural world - a celebration of life itself, and the power of our families and beliefs to bring us together. Read more

Christopher Hitchens's personally curated New York Times bestselling anthology of the most influential and important writings on atheism, including original pieces by Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwanFrom the #1 New York Times best-selling author of God Is Not Great, a provocative and entertaining guided tour of atheist and agnostic thought through the ages--with never-before-published pieces by Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.Christopher Hitchens continues to make the case for a splendidly godless universe in this first-ever gathering of the influential voices--past and present--that have shaped his side of the current (and raging) God/no-god debate. With Hitchens as your erudite and witty guide, you'll be led through a wealth of philosophy, literature, and scientific inquiry, including generous portions of the words of Lucretius, Benedict de Spinoza, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Mark Twain, George Eliot, Bertrand Russell, Emma Goldman, H. L. Mencken, Albert Einstein, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and many others well-known and lesser known. And they're all set in context and commented upon as only Christopher Hitchens--"political and literary journalist extraordinaire" (Los Angeles Times)--can. Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: The Portable Atheist will speak to you and engage you every step of the way. Read more

I thank you, living and enduring universe,That I am aware of my breath.How great are your wonders!Blessed Are You, Wondrous Universe: A Siddur for Seekers combines religion’s stance of wonder and gratitude with humanism’s commitment to facts and scientific method. It embraces a commitment to individual and collective responsibility for our lives drawing from both worlds.In a traditional siddur, God is the ultimate actor whose intervention we seek, whether through blessing, redeeming, healing, or forgiving us. In this siddur, we praise the universe, the earth, and Jewish tradition. With respect to moral choices, we address ourselves: Humans are the agents who need to hear our own prayer.Available in two editions: Comprehensive with complete Hebrew and English text and Compact with abridged and transliterated Hebrew. Both editions feature sheet music for original musical music commissioned for a selection of the prayers in this volume.“Herb Levine has fashioned a sparkling collection of prayers for a thinking, feeling modern person who wants to express gratitude for the wonder of existence.”—Daniel Matt, translator of the Zohar, author of God and the Big Bang, The Essential Kabbalah, and Becoming Elijah“A wonderful resource — inspirational, comforting, uplifting and insightful.”—Rabbi Adam Chalom, co-author, Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices“An exercise in holy audacity.”—Dr. Shaul Magid, author, The Necessity of Exile Read more

Can we prove that the Bible makes false claims?Do its moral teachings justify it being called "The Good Book?"Has the text been modified throughout the centuries?What about all those prophecies?Written by a linguist, ex-fundamentalist graduate of Liberty University, this book goes straight to the evidence and presents a concise case-by-case analysis of the most salient problems in the Christian Scriptures. With insightful commentary concerning frequent rebuttals used by apologists, it makes a solid case against evangelical claims to inerrancy.This second edition has a much improved third chapter, providing several more examples of scribal changes to the New Testament, as well as a completely new section on textual differences in Greek manuscripts. Read more

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An atheist’s impassioned call for nonbelievers to be honest with themselves and their families about their lack of belief—and help change the American cultural conversation.Even though a growing number of Americans don’t believe in god, many remain reluctant to say so out loud. Kate Cohen argues that not only is it rewarding for those of little faith to announce themselves, it’s crucial to our country’s future.As she details the challenges and joys of fully embracing atheism—especially as a parent—Washington Post contributing columnist Kate Cohen does not dismiss religion as dangerous or silly. Instead, she investigates religion’s appeal in order to explain the ways we can thrive without it.Americans who don’t believe in god call themselves atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics, and freethinkers. Sometimes they are called “nones,” based on the box they checked on a survey identifying their religion. And sometimes they call themselves Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Buddhist.Whatever you call yourself, if you don’t believe there’s a supernatural being in charge of the universe, it’s time to join the chorus of We of Little Faith. Read more

Should we believe in God? In this brisk introduction to modern atheism, one of the world’s greatest science writers tells us why we shouldn’t.Richard Dawkins was 15 when he stopped believing in God.Deeply impressed by the beauty and complexity of living things, he’d felt certain they must have had a designer. Learning about evolution changed his mind. Now one of the world’s best and best-selling science communicators, Dawkins has given listeners, young and old, the same opportunity to rethink the big questions.In 12 fiercely funny, mind-expanding chapters, Dawkins explains how the natural world arose without a designer - the improbability and beauty of the "bottom-up programming" that engineers an embryo or a flock of starlings - and challenges head-on some of the most basic assumptions made by the world’s religions: Do you believe in God? Which one? Is the Bible a "Good Book"? Is adhering to a religion necessary, or even likely, to make people good to one another? Dissecting everything from Abraham’s abuse of Isaac to the construction of a snowflake, Outgrowing God is a concise, provocative guide to thinking for yourself.Includes a bonus PDF of photographs and charts.Advance praise for Outgrowing God"My son came home from his first day in the sixth grade with arms outstretched plaintively demanding to know: 'Have you ever heard of Jesus?' We burst out laughing. Maybe not our finest parenting moment, given that he was genuinely distraught. He felt that he had woken up one day to a world in which his peers were expressing beliefs he found frighteningly unreasonable. He began devouring books like The God Delusion, books that helped him formulate his own arguments and helped him stand his ground. Dawkins’s new book is special in the terrain of atheists’ pleas for humanism and rationalism precisely since it speaks to those most vulnerable to the coercive tactics of religion. As Dawkins himself says in the dedication, this book is for ‘all young people when they’re old enough to decide for themselves.’ It is also, I must add, for their parents." (Janna Levin, author of Black Hole Blues)"When someone is considering atheism I tell them to read the Bible first and then Dawkins. Outgrowing God - second only to the Bible!" (Penn Jillette, author of God, No!)PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

Eric Metaxas, the author of the #1 bestseller Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, now releases his hardcover bestseller in paperback. Is Atheism Dead? is a highly entertaining, impressively wide-ranging, and decidedly provocative answer to that famous 1966 TIME cover that itself provocatively asked “Is God Dead?” In a voice that is by turns witty, muscular, and poetic, Metaxas echoes C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton in cheerfully and logically making his case, along the way presenting breathtaking—and sometimes astonishing—new evidence and arguments against the idea of a Creatorless universe. Taken all together, he shows that much we have assumed about the biggest questions of human existence is in fact dramatically outdated — and is therefore in need of the most urgent reevaluation. Read more

Could We Be Witnessing a Return of Belief in Our Generation?Justin Brierley is convinced that in our time we are witnessing a growing wave of faith.Famously described as the “long, withdrawing roar” of the “Sea of Faith,” the Christian narrative that shaped the West has been replaced by sweeping secularism. But is that the end of the story?It was a conversation with agnostic journalist Douglas Murray that led Brierley to investigate whether a change was on the horizon. Speaking of the “Sea of Faith,” Murray remarked that tides come back in again and that a number of his intelligent friends had converted to Christianity in recent years. Brierley was seeing a similar trend among the secular thinkers he had interviewed. Jordan Peterson, Tom Holland, Dave Rubin, and many others have found themselves surprised by the continuing resonance and relevance of Christianity, and they are joining in on conversations about faith.Readers will encounter Brierley’s discussion of cultural trends and concepts, including:The meaning crisisPublic intellectuals embracing faithWhy the Christianity story is ready to returnAnd much more!In The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, Brierley outlines the dramatic fall of New Atheism and the birth of a new conversation on whether God makes sense of science, history, culture, and the search for meaning. People are returning to Christianity―but is the church prepared to welcome a new wave of faith?There’s a new conversation building. The tide is coming. Read more

The problems with the Bible that New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman discussed in his bestseller Misquoting Jesus—and on The Daily Show with John Stewart, NPR, and Dateline NBC, among others—are expanded upon exponentially in his latest book: Jesus, Interrupted. This New York Times bestseller reveals how books in the Bible were actually forged by later authors, and that the New Testament itself is riddled with contradictory claims about Jesus—information that scholars know… but the general public does not. If you enjoy the work of Elaine Pagels, Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, and John Shelby Spong, you’ll find much to ponder in Jesus, Interrupted. Read more

We have been taught that “God” possesses specific spiritual characteristics, including, omnipotence, omniscience, eternity, compassion, love and so forth.Through the pages of this book, howerer, “God” will probably show himself in a light entirely unsuspected to most readers.The final portrait that will emerge will likely reveal the image of a character very different from what many of our readers are accustomed to Read more

A comprehensive and fully illustrated history of the evolution of Christianity. This volume was written for individuals who have realised that basing one’s worldview on consensus of opinion, popular myth and fable is quite unproductive. In this context, this book would be of immense value for anyone who seeks genuine, factual and scientific answers concerning their unexamined beliefs. This book promises to assist anyone who desires to become an informed and self-actualised individual empowered to continue on with their lives as a rational and critical thinker. In this context, this book is aimed primarily at perceptive individuals who may lack the necessary background knowledge and who would sincerely and genuinely desire to become more knowledgeable regarding the development and manifestation of Christianity and its contradictory dogmas. Accordingly, this encyclopaedic book has been carefully designed and set out in order to offer a step-by-step education.Researched and written by a historiographer who specialises in the religious expression of the Hellenistic world, this book promises to be of great benefit for the more serious student of ancient religious belief systems. Here they will find up-to-date information on, inter alia, ancient polytheism, early Israelite and Judahite monolatrism, Zoroastrianism, Zurvanism, various branches of Judaism, Apocalypticism, Greek and Roman Mysteria, Gnosticism, and nascent Christianity. Read more

Discover the fascinating history and culture of Satanism through the ages and learn why many Satanists today stand up for free inquiry and personal liberty. Satanism is too often misunderstood as a religion that makes blood sacrifices to an evil, horned Prince of Darkness. In reality, modern Satanists are nonviolent and nontheistic, and consider the Devil to be a meaningful metaphor for the pursuit of knowledge, reason, and justice.The Little Book of Satanism details the “mark of the beast” in cultural and historic movements over the centuries, which have informed the sincerely held beliefs and practices of Satanists today. Written by award-winning alternative culture journalist and blogger La Carmina, this comprehensive guide includes:A foreword from Lucien Greaves, activist, spokesperson, and cofounder of The Satanic TempleInformation on Satan’s biblical origins, and his various names, appearances, and symbolsDetails on his age-old role as a scapegoat, from medieval witch trials to the 1980s Satanic PanicAn overview of modern philosophy and practices, focusing on The Church of Satan, The Satanic Bible, and The Satanic TempleExamples of the Devil’s influence on art, literature, music, and films—from Paradise Lost to Rosemary’s BabyThis accessible book explains how Satanism developed in the context of social history while debunking lurid conspiracy theories about serial killers and ritual abuse. It includes a primer on various Satanic practices such as social activism, rituals, and holidays. In the spirit of the fallen angel Lucifer, be inspired by Satanism’s affirmative values that courageously oppose arbitrary authority and champion nonconformity. Read more

In There Is a God, one of the world's preeminent atheists discloses how his commitment to "follow the argument wherever it leads" led him to a belief in God as Creator. This is a compelling and refreshingly open-minded argument that will forever change the atheism debate. Read more

What is belief and why is it so important? Where did it come from and what does it do? This book answers all of those questions and more! David G. McAfee, an author who studies religions, teamed up with writer and illustrator Chuck Harrison to create The Belief Book. No matter how old or how young you are,this easy-to-read book can help you learn more about religions and gods and beliefs in general. It will also teach you about something called The Scientific Method, which is how we learn new things about the world! By the time you're done reading you will know the answers to some of life's biggest questions, but more importantly, you will see why your questions, and all questions for that matter, are so important. This book is the first in a series of books all about belief, gods, and religion. Read more

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“I don’t say this about very many books, but Craig A. James’s The Religion Virus can facilitate a wholesale change in the way we think about religion … an engaging, entertaining, and educational journey … packed with a lot of good information.” — Secular News DailyWhether you’re questioning your religion, agnostic, or even atheist, you may have serious lingering doubts and fears about losing your faith. Over the past 2,000 years, religion has evolved powerful ideas that, whether true or not, are incredibly infectious; religion fills us with desires and fears that are hard to see rationally.“I feel so much better now!” – Carolyn, who lost her faith in the beliefs taught by the strict evangelical church of her youth, but was feeling lingering guilt and fear. This book allowed her to finally release her fears and explore her spirituality on her own terms.The Religion Virus (an Amazon bestseller!) will take you on a fun, fascinating, and eye-opening tour of how simple ancient spiritualism evolved into the incredibly infectious religions we know today, punctuated with humorous and insightful stories of the author’s own spiritual journey. By learning why you have doubts about your evolving spiritual ideas, you can finally begin to shed your doubts and start your real spiritual journey, free of the shackles of dogma. Recovering from religion’s infectious hold on our minds is challenging. The Religion Virus will relieve your fears.When you close the book’s last chapter, your understanding of religion will forever be changed. If you’re questioning your faith, questioning whether God is real, losing your belief in the Church’s version of Jesus, or wondering why we believe in the bible as literal truth, this book will help shed light on how faith and religion has become what it is today. Knowledge and understanding will free you from the doubt, fear, and guilt you’re feeling. Read more