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Recommended Books
Humanism
The Philosophy of
Humanism, by Corliss Lamont
(Unger Publishing Co.). Widely considered the leading book on
the Humanist philosophy.
The Age of Reason,
by Thomas Paine (Citadel Press). An American Revolutionary War patriot’s
classic refutation of the Bible and Christianity.
The Best of Robert
Ingersoll, edited by Roger
Greeley (Prometheus Books). A good introduction to the life and views of America’s
foremost Humanist advocate of the 19th century.
Holy Horrors,
by James Haught (Prometheus Books). Describes in a highly readable
manner much of the violence, intolerance, and hatred caused by religion
in history.
Holy Hatred,
by James Haught (Prometheus Books). Another clear description of
violence, persecution, and hatred incited by religion. This one focuses
on various parts of the world in the 1990s.
2000 Years of Disbelief,
by James Haught (Prometheus Books). Brief biographical accounts of many
famous persons, both historical and current, who rejected traditional
religions. Provides numerous excellent quotes from them.
The End of Faith, by Sam Harris (W.
W. Norton & Company). Shows that holding beliefs without evidence caused
enormous harm and misery throughout history, continues
to produce terrorism and many other evils today, and
threatens the survival of civilization. It compellingly argues that
beliefs based only on "faith" must lose their respectability and be
considered foolish and dangerous.
Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam
Harris (Alfred A. Knopf). A short but powerful book about irrational
religious beliefs and the resulting harms to modern American society.
Freethinkers:
A History of American Secularism, by Susan Jacoby (Metropolitan
Books). Recounts the strong influence that humanistic thought had on the
founding and development of the U.S.
The
Encyclopedia of Biblical Errancy, by C. Dennis McKinsey (Prometheus
Books). An extremely thorough exposé and analysis of the errors,
contradictions, and fallacies in the Bible. Also does a highly commendable job of
pointing out and refuting the arguments of today's leading biblical
apologists.
The Born-Again Skeptic’s
Guide to the Bible, by Ruth
Hurmence Green (Freedom From Religion Foundation). A Missouri
grandmother debunks the Bible in a delightful manner.
Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading
Atheists,
by Dan Barker (Ulysses Press). Barker relates his journey from Christian
fundamentalism to freethought activism, and gives many reasons for
rejecting religion. This book is
a challenge to believers and an arsenal for skeptics.
Women Without Superstition,
edited by Annie Laurie Gaylor (Freedom From Religion Foundation). Collected writings of women freethinkers of the
19th and 20th
centuries. Along with many other cogent arguments against religion,
the book highlights particularly the harms religion has caused to
women.
The Seven Mighty Blows
to Traditional Beliefs, by A. J. Mattill, Jr. (Flatwoods Free
Press). These mighty blows, delivered by a former Bible-college
professor, completely demolish traditional religious views.
A History of the Warfare
of Science with Theology in Christendom,
by Andrew D. White (Prometheus Books). A timeless exposition of
Christianity’s rabid opposition to science throughout the centuries
and the resulting harms to humanity.
Why I Am Not a Christian,
by Bertrand Russell (Simon and Schuster). The great British philosopher’s
renowned discourse against Christianity, along with some of his other
essays on religion and related topics.
Deadly Doctrine, by
Wendell Watters, M.D. (Prometheus Books). A psychiatrist shows the
devastating effects that Christian indoctrination can have on mental and
emotional health.
The Final Superstition,
by Joseph Daleiden (Prometheus Books). A superb critical evaluation
and denunciation of the Judeo-Christian legacy.
Atheism: The Case Against
God, by George H. Smith
(Prometheus Books). A great introduction to atheist philosophy.
Crime
and Immorality in the Catholic Church, by Emmett McLoughlin (Lyle
Stuart). A former Catholic priest describes corruption in the Catholic
Church and the misery produced in people's lives when they take Catholic
doctrines to heart.
Church-State Separation
Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church & State,
by Robert Boston (Prometheus Books). Confutes the Religious Right’s
allegations that the U.S. is a Christian nation and that church-state
separation is a myth. Religious
Liberty and the Secular State, by John M. Swomley (Prometheus Books). A
concise and first-rate discussion of the history, meaning, and importance of the
U.S. Constitution's requirement of church-state separation. America
Declares Independence, by Alan Dershowitz (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)
Demonstrates that the writers of the Declaration of Independence had no
intention of establishing a Christian nation. The
Great Quotations on Religious Freedom, compiled by Albert J. Menendez and
Edd Doerr (Centerline Press). Quotations supporting church-state separation from political leaders, courts, scholars, religious groups, and others.
Evolution vs. Creationism
Dictionary
of Science & Creationism, by Ronald Ecker (Prometheus Books). A
succinct and very readable explanation of the terms and issues
in the evolution/creationism debate.
The Top 10 Myths About Evolution, by
Cameron M. Smith and Charles Sullivan (Prometheus Books). Clearly and
concisely debunks myths about evolution spread by creationists and
others.
Civil Liberties
What's
a Nice Republican Girl Like Me Doing in the ACLU? by Sheila Suess Kennedy
(Prometheus Books). Shows that the American Civil Liberties Union's strong defense of the Bill of Rights
is consistent not only with liberals' support for individual freedom but also
with conservatives' distrust of government. Ain't Nobody's
Business If You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in a Free Society,
by Peter McWilliams (Prelude Press). A strong case for legalizing the
freedom to do what one wants as long as others aren't harmed.
Interpersonal Relationships
How
to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (Simon &
Schuster).
Benjamin Franklin Autobiography
(Oxford University Press).
Emotional Well-Being
Don't
Sweat the Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson (Hyperion). How
to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie (Simon &
Schuster).
Improving
Occupational Performance
The
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey (Simon &
Schuster). The
Business Bible, by Wayne Dosick (HarperCollins).
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