The Significance of Atheism, As Explained by George H. Smith

[rug]

July 12, 2016
by Hemant Mehta

Before Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens ever wrote about religion, before blogs were around, and long before the mainstream was ever talking about atheism in any meaningful way, there was George H. Smith.

His book Atheism: The Case Against God was published in 1974. For many people who grew up in that era, it offered them a glimpse into why atheism made any sense. Sure, it was academic and philosophical in nature, but it made the case against God in a way that many people still use in debates today.

Maybe even more surprising is that Smith began writing the book at age 22 and finished it at age 24. All the more reason to take another look at a book that’s had such remarkable influence.

Prometheus Books is reissuing the book today, with a foreword from Lawrence Krauss and an epilogue from Smith himself.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/07/12/the-significance-of-atheism-as-explained-by-george-h-smith/

Unfortunately, Smith has spent the last forty years promoting libertarianism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H._Smith

[Nay]

1. This is still the best book about atheism; too bad Smith is a libertarian.

I didn't know that about him.

[rug]

2. There's a whole body of excellent books on atheism long before Dawkins.

They really shouldn't be overshadowed.

[Nay]

3. Perhaps you didn't understand me? I think that Smith's book is the best

book on atheism, not anything by Dawkins. I still have my copy of the Smith book, which I bought in the 1990's, and have kept on my bookshelf ever since. It's a totally bad-ass and complete reference.

[rug]

4. No, I was agreeing.

Another good one is Michael Martin's Atheism: A Philosophical Justification, which contains the Atheist's Wager, his answer to Pascal.

[Nay]

5. OK, cool! I haven't read the Martin book, mainly because I've been an

atheist since I was a small child (a so-called "natural atheist&quot and, once I looked around and decided religion was bunk, I did not then feel like I had to pursue it much further except perhaps by reading a few books and trying to hang around a like-minded group.

However, since you give it a thumbs up, I'm going to reserve it at the library!

[rug]

6. I'm not an atheist but I find a lot of value in it.

Happy reading!