This anthology fills a conspicuous gap in the discussion of religion and theism. The issues that theology addresses, the meaning of life, the existence of God, the truth of the Bible, the possibility of life after death, are so important to people that they ought to examine both sides of these fundamental questions. The atheist and rationalist writings collected here are virtually impossible to obtain anywhere else, even in large university library collections. This material chronicles the contributions of many distinguished thinkers who have carefully investigated key issues in religion and philosophy, but have arrived at remarkably different conclusions from those of the clergy or media. We should not neglect this long and rich history or ignore the insights rooted in the freethough tradition. "An Anthology of Atheism and Rationalism", a thorough introduction to the writings of the world's most famous freethinkers, will lead intellectually curious and intelligent people of all religious persuasions to an increased appreciation of the scope and limitations of their own opinions and attitudes on these important issues, including the existence of God, the definition of atheism and rationalism, the possibility of Divine Revelation, the existence of the Devil, and the real history/contribution of atheism to intellectual thought.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
0 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Dr. Stein since the day he debated Dr. Greg Bahnsen has stated that Atheism is true because other men have defined atheism as true at the outset of their discussions as well. What he continually fails to recognize however, is that ahteists and christians alike are all governed by their presuppositions. Dr. Stein continues in this book to prove the impossibility to the contrary. He denies his belief in a God and somehow convinces himself that what he asserts as truthful in his rationalizations are true because of linguistic conventions. Dr. Stein wants to use the laws of logic, laws of morality and science however, his worldview is at odds with both human freedom and dignity. In his attempt to show that the atheist position is truly rational he once again displays to the world that the proof of the Christian God states that without Him you cannot prove anything at all. Dr. Stein's problem like most atheists is that they would rather determine that they are god. They suppress the truth in unrighteousness and convince themselves that there is no God.
0 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Dr. Stein since the day he debated Dr. Greg Bahnsen has stated that Atheism is true because other men have defined atheism as true at the outset of their discussions as well. What he continually fails to recognize however, is that ahteists and christians alike are all governed by their presuppositions. Dr. Stein continues in this book to prove the impossibility to the contrary. He denies his belief in a God and somehow convinces himself that what he asserts as truthful in his rationalizations are true because of linguistic conventions. Dr. Stein wants to use the laws of logic, laws of morality and science however, his worldview is at odds with both human freedom and dignity. In his attempt to show that the atheist position is truly rational he once again displays to the world that the proof of the Christian God states that without Him you cannot prove anything at all. Dr. Stein's problem like most atheists is that they would rather determine that they are god. They suppress the truth in unrighteousness and convince themselves that there is no God.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2.8 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gordon Stein hits you from all angles
5 Oct 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Mr. Gordon has drawn from every direction of rational and atheistic thought. To most the reading may appear dry, but it will always challenge your belief system. I found the book to be based upon fact and rational thought and as close to the emperical truth as one can come. Anyone interested in understanding rational thought should read this book.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Presentation of Great Works
24 May 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Dr. Stein has assembled a fine collection of atheist and rationalist essays. For the most part they are unique and adequately prefaced. This collection provides a very complete anthology of rare and well known essays from famous authors such as Bertrand Russell and Voltaire, as well as lesser known authors.
18 of 40 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Anthology of Atheism and Rationalism
16 Jun 1997
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Gordon Stein states that he had two goals in compiling his _Anthology of Atheism and Rationalism_: (1) getting hard-to-find historical atheist and rationalist materials in print, and (2) selecting 'the best written, most concise, cleverest, or more representative' essays on atheism and rationalism. Now certainly (1) and (2) are laudable goals; preserving historical freethought writings is important. Yet it is clear from his comments that Stein not only wants
to preserve these historical writings in print, he wants to promote them on par with contemporary writings even when these historical writings wear their date on their face. And his introductions
often miss the mark, by refuting simplistic versions of theistic arguments (e.g., the first cause argument instead of the kalam cosmological
argument), failing to interact with contemporary scholarship on the issues he addresses (e.g., his suggestion that Tacitus' reference to Jesus is an interpolation), and abusing methodology (e.g., quoting self-described 'atheists' while attempting to define atheism). Stein's book might be of interest to freethought historians and bibliographers, but considered as a book in the philosophy of religion it is very disappointing.
to preserve these historical writings in print, he wants to promote them on par with contemporary writings even when these historical writings wear their date on their face. And his introductions
often miss the mark, by refuting simplistic versions of theistic arguments (e.g., the first cause argument instead of the kalam cosmological
argument), failing to interact with contemporary scholarship on the issues he addresses (e.g., his suggestion that Tacitus' reference to Jesus is an interpolation), and abusing methodology (e.g., quoting self-described 'atheists' while attempting to define atheism). Stein's book might be of interest to freethought historians and bibliographers, but considered as a book in the philosophy of religion it is very disappointing.
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2.8 out of 5 stars
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