Religion and Spirituality

Atheism: The Case Against God has become one has become one of the most widely read and discussed books on atheism in recent decades. The prestigious Encyclopedia of Unbelief called it a "masterful" treatment of the subject; humanist philosopher Corliss Lamont praised it as "a splendid job of analysis, one of the best series of arguments against the existence of God I have ever read"; and Paul Blanshard said that it is "a radiantly honest book, carefully reasoned and scrupulously fair.". The writing style is readable and erudite, the treatment comprehensive.

The book argues that, when properly and consistently used, critical thinking and religious belief, based on "magical" thinking, are incompatible. Cooney's main focus is on the use and abuse of language. He demonstrates the potentially devastating effects that incorrect use of language can have, from the individual person on up to world governments.

The Transcendental Temptation
by Paul Kurtz
Prometheus Books

Powerful book dealing not only with religion, but with all aspects of the paranormal, it explains the "magical thinking" mentality that births such ideas.

A readable but sophisticated exposition of the secular humanist philosophy that Kurtz calls, "eupraxophy" or "good practical wisdom, discussing the three elements of eupraxophy: skepticism, probabilism, and fallibilism, as well as the nature of passionate convictions that are not based on religion.

Watter's book is a scathing indictment of Christian theology that exposes this religion's attitude toward sex, its emphasis on suffering as a moral ideal, and a number of other noxious notions which collectively demonstrate the horrifying potential of Christian Dogma on the psychological development of the individual.

The Dark Side of Christian History
by Helen Ellerbe
Morningstar Books 1995

Ellerbe's general theme is that the doctrines and institutions of orthodox Christianity were essentially authoritarian. It discusses the sundry crimes, cruelties, barbarisms, absurdities, and overall bad taste that have been rife throughout the history of Christianity.

Keen's personal search for spiritual connection becomes a lesson in balancing hard-core skepticism and spiritual seeking. Explicitly nonauthoritarian, it decries gurus and includes a great "spiritual bullshit detector."

An entertaining and hilarious eye-witness account of the John-Roger cult that nonetheless provides serious instructive insight into the dynamics of cult groups as well as exposing John-Rogers' frauds and deceits. Also includes an expose of Ariana Huffington's involvement with this cult.

Demonstrates the negative image of women in both the Old and New Testament by quoting over 200 verses from the Bible, showing what it actually says about women on issues that include marriage, prostitution, motherhood, menstruation, adultery, rape, women as property, and women's supposed "nature."

The first collection of its kind, featuring 51 different women and 64 articles. Includes Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Mary Wollstonecraft, Voltairine de Cleyre, Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Queen Silver, Anne Nicol Gaylor, Meg Bowman.

A chilling futurist novel about a puritanical religious fundamentalist takeover of America, in which women capable of bearing children are forced to be baby machines. Well-written, powerful and compelling, it is a logical projection of where the authoritarian religious right could take us.