Atheism: The Case Against God by George H. Smith Prometheus Books. 1979 335 pp. Pb. $18.95
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 Difference Between Truth and Opinion by Timothy J. Cooney Prometheus Books, 1991 127 pp. Hd. $22.95
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, 1986 500 pp. Pb. $21.95
Powerful book dealing not only with religion, but with all aspects of the paranormal, it explains the "magical thinking" mentality that births such ideas.
Living Without Religion: Eupraxophy by Paul Kurtz Prometheus Books, 1994. Pb. 159pp $9.95.
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.
Deadly Doctrine by Wendell W. Watters, M.D. Prometheus Books 1992 198 pp. Hd. $26.95
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 Pb. 221pp. $12.95Ellerbe'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.
Hymns to an Unknown God: Awakening the Spirit in Everyday Life by Sam Keen Bantam 1994 Pb. $12.95Keen'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."
Life 102: What to Do When Your Guru Sues You. by Peter McWilliams Prelude Press 1994 Hd. $19.95An 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.
Woe to the Women-The Bible Tells Me So by Annie Laurie Gaynor Freedom From Religion Fdn. 1981 Pb. 68pp. $10.00Demonstrates 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."
Women Without Superstition "No Gods--No Masters": The Collected Writings of Women Freethinkers of the 19th & 20th Centuries edited by Annie Laurie Gaynor Freedom From Religion Foundation 1997 696pp. Hd. $25.00The 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.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Fawcett Pb. $11.00A 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.