The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality

by André Comte-Sponville

Book Overview

A brilliant, elegant argument for spirituality without God Can we do without religion? Can we have ethics without God? Is there such thing as “atheist spirituality”? In this powerful book, the internationally bestselling author Andr Comte-Sponville presents a philosophical exploration of atheism—and comes to some startling conclusions. According to Comte-Sponville, we have allowed the concept of spirituality to become intertwined with religion, and...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670018473
• ISBN13: 9780670018475
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Christian Pastor Gives Thumbs Up

The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality by Andre Comte-Sponville A Review by TCDavis In Yann Martel's provocative novel, The Life of Pi, , a young East Indian boy tells the rabbi, imam, and pastor of his small home town that he is a Jew, a Muslim, and a Christian--all three at once! They are nonplussed, and cannot abide this most peculiar faith; but their rejection of Pi's universalism does not dissuade him from maintaining in his heart and mind a grandly spacious place, large enough for even agnostics and atheists. This reader has striven for a long time to construct such a welcoming place in his own mind. His heart has dwelt there for as long as he can remember, but his mind is still struggling to make the move. Is it not so with many people? Their hearts are readier to extend welcome than their minds. Minds hold back until communion with strangers, or even enemies, makes some kind of sense. Pity that reluctant minds refuse to permit wise hearts to dwell where they know best. Imagine this reader's delight, therefore, upon discovering Nancy Huston's translation of Andre Comte-Sponville's L'Esprit de l'atheisme, The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality. The word, spirituality, caught my eye, for atheists don't usually speak of it. However, Comte-Sponville's book is not the usual rationalist diatribe against believers' metaphysical misadventures. Rather, it is an attempt to make metaphysics once again respectable in western philosophy, and to give atheism at least as much respect as the world's great theistic traditions. Comte-Sponville, unlike some current militant atheists, is not out to debunk others' faith. Once a Catholic, he sympathetically comprehends and respects believers' positions, and adds that he has often yearned to experience the presence of God himself. He does not refuse to believe, but simply argues he cannot, with intellectual integrity. Comte-Sponville is a professor of philosophy at the Sorbonne. He wants his little book to be accessible to average readers. This reader judges he has fallen short, not because of his writing style, which the translator keeps nicely colloquial, but rather because of the nuanced thought of philosophers to whom he often refers, and with whom an average reader will not likely be familiar; and also because he sometimes resorts to labyrinthine argument to drive home a point. Comte-Sponville succeeds best in making atheism spiritually respectable where he writes of his own experience. This reader, who eventually became a Christian pastor following a peak spiritual experience in Vietnam at age twenty-five, found Comte-Sponville's peak spiritual experience remarkably similar to his own. Comte-Sponville describes his experience this way: "I must have been twenty-five or twenty-six. I had just been hired to teach high school philosophy in a town on the edge of a canal, up in the fields near the Belgian border. That particular evening, some friends and I had gone out for a walk in the forest we like

Kinder Gentler Atheism - Very Worthwhile

Are all atheists angry, à la Dawkins, Harris and (especially, maybe) Hitchens? Nope. Not Monsieur Comte-Sponville. How refreshing. Maybe it's because he's French... I dunno. (joke.) First, real quick... You know that book that you start reading in a bookstore - and then you can't put it down... so then you buy it to take home so you can keep reading? This is one of those. I don't usually see this book in stores (unlike ones by Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens), so when I saw it in a local bookstore chain - the only copy - I had to grab it. Don't worry... I paid. I'm not an EVIL atheist. This book is very worthwhile because it sports an unusually kind tone on the subject of atheism vs. theism, provides the thoughtful personal insight of the author, and is full of thought provoking ideas. It is very balanced in that it acknowledges positive aspects of religion, and weaknesses of the atheist point of view, all while still defending atheism. Toward religion, it seems to me, Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens all (especially the last two) tend to take fairly aggressive, even combative stances. Comte-Sponville takes a much softer, gentler approach. For example, he admits that organized religion is enviable in some ways, like how it fosters a sense of community, and the way it provides meaningful rituals at important junctures in life, like at weddings and funerals. The author is uncompromising in his atheism, because he can see no reason to believe in a god, but he admits that atheism, all by itself, is lacking. After all, atheism, by definition, is about what isn't, not what is. This book has a lot to offer for the quiet contemplative atheist. It might just be the book you were waiting/looking for. If you are an angry atheist, this book might be your much needed chill pill. Don't worry - the author is an unapologetic atheist - not wishy-washy on that at all. If you are one of the many undecided people out there, not really religious, but who doesn't like the term "atheist" either, check it out. For the religious person who thinks that all atheists are evil, PLEASE read this book. I know you probably won't because it has the word "Atheist" on the cover, but one can hope. Very good. Top marks.

mostly fabulous, with very tolerant presentation

Andre Comte-Sponville presents his case for spirtuality without religion and without God in such a tolerant style that it may be read by anyone who is not hard-core against religion or who is not completely resistant to challenges to faith. In the face of a wave of anti-religion best sellers, his approach is very refreshing and encourages contemplation rather than a defensive posture by readers who are not already atheists. Naturally, he lightly points out the long history of evil done in the name of religion, yet he acknowledges the other side also has plenty of demerits. His recognition of the good religion has done him (as an ex-Catholic) and for millions of others thus keeps the book from being another "religion is good" vs. "religion is bad" treatise. He instead focuses on logical and philosophical arguments rather than emotional, as he believes religion and atheism will co-exist indefinitely. Many of the author's ideas and phrasings are very similar to those of Alan Watts, who is not included in the suggested reading at the end. The late Mr. Watts had similar analysis of why religion was not necessary and that one should live a life in the "here and now", organized around a philosophy that mixed western and eastern concepts. The book has three chapters: "Can We Do Without Religion?"; "Does God Exist?"; and "Can There Be an Atheist Spirituality?". The first is exceptionally well done. The author clearly articulates his reasons that the best attributes of human society, such as community and fidelity, can exist without religion. Some of the strengths of religion, such as mourning rituals and a sense of purpose, receive special attention. Comte-Sponville doesn't merely state his side without exploring some counter-arguments. His holds nihilism in particular disdain, as he claims its "nothing matters" attitude is harmful for both religious and atheist humans. The author's world without religion is a positive one, not one without love and meaning. For "Does God Exist?" the author studies three positive arguments and three negative ones. He examines the so-called "proofs" that God must exist, and finds them wanting, of course, just as he cannot prove that God does not exist. Another thread is, "I cannot help thinking that if God existed, he should be easier to perceive or feel. All you would need to do is open your eyes, or your soul. I keep trying to do this and no matter how wide I hope them, what I see is the world and what I love is humanity." Comte-Sponville challenges the counterpoints to his assertion. His other points include the "excess of evil", the "mediocrity" of human beings allegedly made in God's image, and how the descriptions of God in western religions are so much as humans want God to be, that God was constructed to fulfill those wishes. Whether you find these topics to be distasteful or not, the author calmly presents his views. The final chapter on atheist spirituality probes how to live a spiritual life without relig

An excellent, if different take.

*The title of the original French book is "L'Esprit de l'Atheisme" ("The Spirit of Atheism"; why was it changed?). *Both Michel Onfray (author of "Atheist Manifesto") and Andre Comte-Sponville are very smart French philosophers, but the take of their books is very different. Onfray is angry, Comte-Sponville contemplative. I would argue their books complement each other. *Comte-Sponville sympathizes with the non-metaphysical aspects of Eastern philosophies and religions. *A refreshing read!

A fine, fine book.

This book is a joy to read. For all the religionists who complain about the screeds of Dawkins, Hitchens, and Harris, if you want to find out what many atheists are really like, Comte-Sponville's book provides a beautiful window. He is convinced that no god exists, and offers compelling reasons for this conviction, but he could not be more kind to persons of faith. In fact, he says that the only thing that separates him from most Christians is "three days"--the span between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. He makes a case that many of the key goals of Christians and atheist humanists like him are very nearly identical, as they are rooted in love. He allows that exceptions exist, such as the Roman Catholic prohibition on condom use, which he finds at best sectarian and at worst unloving. Atheists used to a bitter bunker mentality will find much to imitate in Comte-Sponville's attitude, and religionists should find much to admire. This is a challenging book, but the challenge is intellectual and not personal. Comte-Sponville does not attack, cast aspersions, question motives or sincerity--he just quietly presents a reasonable, soft-spoken case for a godless lifestyle that is worth living primarily because it taps into what is best in humanity, without ever pretending that humanity is itself divine.