Wanted: SFL atheists

[Tooktheredpill]

Specifically, I'd like you to recommend the one book that makes the best case for atheism, in your opinion.

An atheist friend recommended The End of Christianity by Loftus. Do you agree?

I'm asking because I'd like to read whatever book gets the most votes.

(FYI, I've read most of God is Not Great and Farewell to God (by Charles Templeton), and wasn't impressed/convinced.)

Thanks.

[Recovering]

(02-22-2012 10:15 AM)Tooktheredpill Wrote:  Specifically, I'd like you to recommend the one book that makes the best case for atheism, in your opinion.

An atheist friend recommended The End of Christianity by Loftus. Do you agree?

I'm asking because I'd like to read whatever book gets the most votes.

(FYI, I've read most of God is Not Great and Farewell to God (by Charles Templeton), and wasn't impressed/convinced.)

Thanks.

Try this.

[dthatcher]

I am more of a doubter than an atheist. But here are my suggestions:
http://www.amazon.com/Critique-Intellige...1583671730
also you can't pass up: http://godisimaginary.com/

[FmrMarine]

(02-22-2012 10:15 AM)Tooktheredpill Wrote:  Specifically, I'd like you to recommend the one book that makes the best case for atheism, in your opinion.

An atheist friend recommended The End of Christianity by Loftus. Do you agree?

I'm asking because I'd like to read whatever book gets the most votes.

(FYI, I've read most of God is Not Great and Farewell to God (by Charles Templeton), and wasn't impressed/convinced.)

Thanks.

I will second godisimaginary.com and the Sam Harris book. I would also recommend the Bible. Of course, much of what you will see at godisimaginary.com and whywontgodhealamputees.com will direct you to the Bible as well. Good luck.

[Tooktheredpill]

(02-22-2012 10:49 AM)Recovering Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 10:15 AM)Tooktheredpill Wrote:  Specifically, I'd like you to recommend the one book that makes the best case for atheism, in your opinion.

An atheist friend recommended The End of Christianity by Loftus. Do you agree?

I'm asking because I'd like to read whatever book gets the most votes.

(FYI, I've read most of God is Not Great and Farewell to God (by Charles Templeton), and wasn't impressed/convinced.)

Thanks.

Try this.

I doubt I could be convinced of a "traditional" reading.

[Tooktheredpill]

(02-22-2012 11:00 AM)dthatcher Wrote:  I am more of a doubter than an atheist. But here are my suggestions:
http://www.amazon.com/Critique-Intellige...1583671730
also you can't pass up: http://godisimaginary.com/

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm not a creationist or an IDer, so I'm not sure this book would be the most convincing...?

[dthatcher]

(02-22-2012 06:29 PM)Tooktheredpill Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 11:00 AM)dthatcher Wrote:  I am more of a doubter than an atheist. But here are my suggestions:
http://www.amazon.com/Critique-Intellige...1583671730
also you can't pass up: http://godisimaginary.com/

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm not a creationist or an IDer, so I'm not sure this book would be the most convincing...?

The book is more of a defense of materialism as a philosophy, over and against religion. The creation/ID/evolution debate forms a backdrop against which these issues are explored.

[Recovering]

(02-22-2012 06:23 PM)Tooktheredpill Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 10:49 AM)Recovering Wrote:  Try this.

I doubt I could be convinced of a "traditional" reading.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's enough to turn anyone atheist. ;-) Or at least make them wonder.

[lucrezaborgia]

Dawkins is probably a bit too well known and somewhat abrasive IMO

[myotch]

I'm no atheist, but the late Hitchens was a great writer.

Another atheist writer and philosopher I admire without totally succumbing to the philosophy is Ayn Rand. Forget her novels, read her essays. Her novels are 50 pages of set up for 300 pages of a speech.

It sounds like you are on the road to being convinced, and you want to be convinced. I wouldn't read any atheist apologia. I'd read Hawkins and other scientists and cosmologists. Their books and essays aren't heavy handed, abrasive, and atheism is not the end goal of their writing, but a greater understanding of the universe. The atheist apologentsia will end up just coming off as preachy as any fundamentalist.