Atheism

by George H. Smith

Book Overview

George H. Smith sets out to demolish what he considers the most widespread and destructive of all the myths devised by man--the concept of a supreme being. With painstaking scholarship and rigorous... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087975124X
• ISBN13: 9780879751241
• Release Date: September 1979
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 355 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Dare you take this challenge?

This is a devestating, systematic deconstruction and refutation of theistic thought. As one who was once part of the fundamentalist Christian church, my mind tends to always be one step ahead of points books like this make, so familiar am I with the absurd, irrational and illogical stubborness and denial based arguments that come from many mainstream patriachal theistic beliefs. This book addresses each argument theists can use to try and trump Smith, and the author uses logic and reason in such a way that the only things left for the theist to argue are along the lines of faith and the limits of human knowledge and potential to understand. To many of us, these last-ditch theistic arguments read more like get-out clauses, designed to appeal to that which is outside of logic and reasoning - a place where belief is rife but truth is absent. Smith breaks things down in a very readable way that can appeal to the academic as well as the lay-reader. For atheists (those of us who are without belief in the existence of God(s), rather then those who believe God doesn't exist - a common misunderstanding of the term) this is a wonderful life-affirming book. For theists, particularly those who appreciate the woeful inadequacy of resorting to faith to excuse themselves from intelligent, progressive dialogue, this represents a challenge that will inspire thought and reflection - perhaps a new concept to some.To those on the fence, new to this area of debate or just keen to increase their readership, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's a fantastic introduction to, and consolidation of, the marvellous warm humanistic world of the brave. Atheism.

A worthy addition to the library of every freethinker.

Smith does a fine job in adding to the resources available to those who are unwilling to accept superstitions as reality. His writing style is concise and occasionally breezy without ever losing its dignity. My copy of The Case Against God has been useful many times for sharpening my understanding of theist mental laxity and the rigors required of skepticism. A note on definitions: an atheist is one who lacks belief in gods, nothing more. "Strong atheism" asserts that it is possible to disprove the existence of any alleged deity, given enough information. "Weak atheism" asserts that it is not possible to disprove the existence of gods, but that there is no credible reason to believe. NEITHER SORT OF ATHEISM IS A "FAITH". As a point of fact, monotheists such as Christians, Muslims and Jews are themselves atheists of a sort, since they lack belief in any of the hundreds of other deities that are claimed to exist. There is no more reason to accept the claims of Jehovah than those of Vishnu or Zeus.I would suggest that every person with an interest in the subject of theism read Smith's book. I would further suggest that each theist ask themselves these questions: "what reliable, objective evidence have I obtained to demonstrate the credibility of the supernatural claims of my deity?" and - "why is similar evidence supporting the supernatural claims of other deities not credible?"

Can we talk about the book?

PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW ONLY IF YOU'VE READ THE BOOK!It seems many reviewers haven't done their homework. At best I see one or two quotes from Smith's book which are generally secondary arguments and are chronically made out of context. To defend the standpoint of the atheist, Smith need not answer the question "Is the universe eternal" or any of these other off-topic questions raised in earlier reviews. Please consult your local cosmologist for opinions on that subject matter.Smith's argument is plain and simple. Forget everything you've learned on the subject of theism (to remove bias and address the issue objectively). Now let the theist propose his theory of God. Evaluate each line of argument posited by the theist. Smith identifies the logical flaws, inconsistencies, and unclear definitions in the theist's arguments. His conclusion is that if the theist can't convince you, using logic and evidence, of the existence of a God, then if you accept the existence of God, you are doing so irrationally. Atheism then stands as the rational alternative, equivalent to saying to the theist "You have not convinced me that 'God' exists." ATHEISM IS NOT A PROOF THAT GOD DOES NOT EXIST. INSTEAD IT IS THE ASSERTION THAT THEISM DOES NOT PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.Many of the reviewers of this book have missed this very critical and highly essential pillar of the book, and have instead chosen to attack less important issues or formulate overly-simplistic proofs of why God HAS to exist. Had they actually read the book, they would have found that many of these arguments are addressed.This book will do you no good if you thumb through it and pick out a line or two from a page in the middle and then scoff at it. Like I said earlier, you have to eliminate all your bias on the subject and allow the theist a chance to persuade you to his beliefs. If he doesn't succeed at proving the existence of God, then welcome to atheism. Let Smith's book guide you through the theist's arguments and help you avoid the logical pitfalls and philosophical illusions contained therein.

Phenomenal...a must read if you care about the God debate

Mr. Smith does an excellent job making the case for atheism in an easy-to-read book. He seems to be extremely well read on the subject of the existence of God (as evidenced by his many quotations and cites). He does a great job of presenting almost every atheistic argument conceivable and as well as providing theistic responses to almost every argument and then refuting them. I found myself thinking counter-arguments only to find them answered in the next paragraph. Mr. Smith's logic is sound and objections to it are practically non-existent. Although the book does get a little dry when Smith begins to talk about ethics, overall the reading is interesting and fascinating. The book does seem to end in on an odd note (he just stops writing after critizing the ethics of Jesus) and a conclusion would provide a fitting end to his very well-structured work. If you belong to any theistic religion, after reading this work be prepared to seriously rethink your beliefs--this book could very well change your life.