News:

There is also the shroud of turin, which verifies Jesus in a new way than other evidences.

Main Menu

Know any good books?

Started by LoneMateria, August 15, 2009, 05:44:33 PM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

LoneMateria

August 15, 2009, 05:44:33 PM
So i'm getting to the end of my books i'm reading and would like some suggestions on what are some good atheist books to read.  But don't limit yourselves to that area if you think there is a real good book suggest it.  I've already read these books in no particular order:

The Atheist Camel Chronicles (Its a new book and I'd recommend it to any non-theist it's really good.  You can get it on amazon or cheaper here)
The God Delusion
The Blind Watchmaker (well half its real dry >.<)
50 Reasons people give for believing in a god
The Quotable Atheist
The Bible Handbook

And i'm finishing up reading:
Godless: How an evangelical preacher become one of Americas leading atheists
Misquoting Jesus

Does anyone have any good books they like and would recommend?


*****EDIT**** whoops I guess you cant get it cheaper at that site, It used to be $20 on amazon so I got it from the owners site
Quote from: "Richard Lederer"There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Quote from: "Demosthenes"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Quote from: "Oscar Wilde"Truth, in matters of religion, is simpl

AlP

#1
August 15, 2009, 05:53:11 PM
In no particular order these are the books I have read recently that I thought were good.

Living Without God, Ronald Aronson
Existensialism for Dummies, Christopher Panza & Gregory Gale
QED, Richard Feynman (Nobel prize)
Psychology, David Meyrs
Existentialist Philosophy, L. Nathan Oaklander
The Lightness of Being, Frank Wilczek (Nobel prize)
"I rebel -- therefore we exist." - Camus

LoneMateria

#2
August 15, 2009, 10:44:01 PM
kk cool thanx AlP anyone in particular you would recommend first?
Quote from: "Richard Lederer"There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Quote from: "Demosthenes"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Quote from: "Oscar Wilde"Truth, in matters of religion, is simpl

AlP

#3
August 16, 2009, 04:07:49 AM
Living Without God, Ronald Aronson
"I rebel -- therefore we exist." - Camus

Chimera

#4
August 16, 2009, 05:22:10 AM
Letter to a Christian Nation, Sam Harris
Why I Am Not a Christian, Bertrand Russell
Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
"I refuse to believe in a god who is the primary cause of conflict in the world, preaches racism, sexism, homophobia, and ignorance, and then sends me to hell if I’m 'bad.'" â€" Mike Fuhrman

Sheeplauncher

#5
August 21, 2009, 06:16:41 AM
god is not great: how religion poisons everything is pretty good

McQ

#6
August 21, 2009, 02:21:10 PM
More along the line of "Skeptic" than atheist books, but:

Flim Flam!, by James Randi (hard to find and in need of an update, which it won't get, because Randi lost the rights to it).
The Gospel Fictions, by Randall Helms (although I wouldn't call it all that great, it's a quick read)
2001: A Space Odyssey, by (do I even need to mention His name?)  :)
The Demon Haunted World, by Carl Sagan
Elvis didn't do no drugs!
--Penn Jillette

LoneMateria

#7
August 21, 2009, 06:11:56 PM
good list thanx.  Btw McQ I <3 your signature.  Funny ass episode of Bullshit!
Quote from: "Richard Lederer"There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Quote from: "Demosthenes"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Quote from: "Oscar Wilde"Truth, in matters of religion, is simpl

John09

#8
August 22, 2009, 12:21:37 AM
I am currently reading "Why I Am Not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell and "God the Failed Hypothesis" by Victor J. Stenger. I am enjoyed them both so far.

I went to the book store last weekend and read through "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris while I was there. I had scanned that particular book while I was still a Christian and actually found myself secretly agreeing with him on several points. So, you might say that it got through to me back then.

LoneMateria

#9
August 22, 2009, 07:01:40 AM
John which of those would you prefer first?  I'm surprised you picked up an atheist book as a Christian.  My best friend happens to be a Young Earth Creationist and he won't even touch an atheist book.  I always say to him if you are right and you know the truth then whats the harm?  He always makes a comment along the lines of its a waste of time.  I hope one day he will use his brain in that aspect of his life.  Funny enough he doesn't go to church or anything like that but his parents sent him to a Christian school for 12 years and they've worked him over pretty good he seems pretty set in his ways ... for now.
Quote from: "Richard Lederer"There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Quote from: "Demosthenes"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Quote from: "Oscar Wilde"Truth, in matters of religion, is simpl

John09

#10
August 22, 2009, 01:37:27 PM
Quote from: "LoneMateria"John which of those would you prefer first?  I'm surprised you picked up an atheist book as a Christian.  My best friend happens to be a Young Earth Creationist and he won't even touch an atheist book.  I always say to him if you are right and you know the truth then whats the harm?  He always makes a comment along the lines of its a waste of time.  I hope one day he will use his brain in that aspect of his life.  Funny enough he doesn't go to church or anything like that but his parents sent him to a Christian school for 12 years and they've worked him over pretty good he seems pretty set in his ways ... for now.

Well, that really is a huge problem with Christians. They refuse to read anything that critically examines their beliefs because of fear. The bible warns of probing into any other belief system since they might lead you astray. It really makes on blind.

For whatever reason, I wanted to know how other people saw Christianity. I think that is why I picked up the book as a Christian.

You might try reasoning with your best friend by telling him that learning the other side of the argument will give him tools for combating their ideas.

Both books are pretty intellectual reads. The Russell book uses more logical reasoning while the Stenger book uses the scientific method. I haven't finished either yet. If you really like science, I would suggest the Stenger book first.

LoneMateria

#11
August 22, 2009, 02:02:41 PM
KK thanks John I appreciate the input and the suggestions.  My friend is one of the Christians who has read the bible cover to cover so i'm sure he knows about the leading astray thing >.<  I might be able to con him into reading a book or 2.  He lent me his bible (which has been getting excellent use as a reference guide for my atheist books) I might be able to get him to read 1 book in exchange for my promise to read the damn thing cover to cover (which I kinda said I would anyway).  If I can convince him to read a book i'd have to figure out which one to lend him.  Any suggestions on that?  I don't know if any of my books would be good enough to get my views across.  I would consider my book by Guy P. Harrison (the 50 reasons book) but it wouldn't get the message why i'm an atheist across.  Since you have experience John any suggestions (would "A letter to a Christian Nation" be a good place to start)?
Quote from: "Richard Lederer"There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Quote from: "Demosthenes"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Quote from: "Oscar Wilde"Truth, in matters of religion, is simpl

John09

#12
August 22, 2009, 10:24:45 PM
LoneMateria,

Yes, I think "Letter to a Christian Nation" is a good book to suggest to him. Perhaps you could just encourage him to look for all the misconceptions of god in the book. Often, a Christian may be persuaded to read secular or anti-god literature if they think they can use that knowledge to defend their faith.

It just might get him to see another logical perspective outside his own.

Good luck!

LoneMateria

#13
August 22, 2009, 10:52:46 PM
Thanx again for the advice.  I think I may have tried that before with no success but I don't remember honestly.  Worst thing he can do is say, "i'm not going to read that stuff."  I hope that I can get him to start thinking in that region of his life.
Quote from: "Richard Lederer"There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Quote from: "Demosthenes"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.
Quote from: "Oscar Wilde"Truth, in matters of religion, is simpl
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions