- Hardcover: 355 pages
- Publisher: Nash (1974)
- ISBN-10: 0840211155
- ISBN-13: 978-0840211156
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.5 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
Atheism: The Case Against God (Skeptic's Bookshelf)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In my opinion, this book provides a good introduction to atheism and related philosophical issues. The hostile-sounding title might put some people off, but Smith makes it clear in the first section of his book that the primary focus of the book is whether or not theistic claims should be accepted as true. If one can show that theistic belief if flawed (the case against god), then one supports atheism.
Smith then proceeds to do just that for the remainder of his book. He covers basic and important subjects such as god concepts, faith, morality, and common arguments for god. Smith argues that no rational person can accept theism as true and he discusses the philosophical problems of many theistic arguments. Smith writes in a non-technical style, and this may be why the book is popular. I think Smith's book could serve as a good starting point for approaching more thorough and technical books on atheism.
Smith spends much of the book analyzing Christianity, and I would have preferred it if he spent more time looking at theism in general. Throughout the book, he describes major flaws in Christianity, and after awhile it appears as though he's just whipping a dead horse. Of course, it's a dead horse that many people insist on riding, so I suppose that critiquing it from several perspectives may help to convince some of the riders that they're not going anywhere on that beast.
If you are a philosophical layperson who wants to learn more about atheism, then this is the book you should read.
Now, if I may digress, it appears that some of the reviews posted before mine do not really review the book at all. Instead, they provide theistic arguments that supposedly refute the arguments that Smith makes in his book. It is interesting to note that the theistic arguments offered below are actually covered in Smith's book, where he shows them to be flawed. It makes me wonder if some of those reviewers actually read or understood the book.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In "Atheism: The Case Against God", Smith makes a very good case against God and for atheism. He also shows that many of those who call themselves agnostics really are atheists.
He points out many inconsistencies in the Christian god and shows that it can not possibly exist, and also gives many good arguments against gods in general. He makes a good case against faith as an alternative method to reason of acquiring knowledge.
The book almost deserves five stars, but it tends to get a bit repetitive at times and some parts are a bit heavy handed. Anyway, this is definately a book that everyone interested in religion or atheism should read.
He points out many inconsistencies in the Christian god and shows that it can not possibly exist, and also gives many good arguments against gods in general. He makes a good case against faith as an alternative method to reason of acquiring knowledge.
The book almost deserves five stars, but it tends to get a bit repetitive at times and some parts are a bit heavy handed. Anyway, this is definately a book that everyone interested in religion or atheism should read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
More than 30 years before Dawkins penned his own bestseller, Atheism: The Case Against God was first published and went on to become one of the biggest selling atheist books of the twentieth century. Quite right too, as this excellent critique of theism is a magnificent testament to the power of logic. It's somewhat astonishing to learn that author George H. Smith was still in his early 20s when he wrote it.
Concentrating on the philosophical arguments against God's existence, the deep intellectual passion on display here is a joy to behold. Meticulously cutting through all the theological double-talk with his fine scalpel of a mind, Smith exposes the glaring contradictions and absurdities of theism, and in so doing, makes the single most convincing case for atheism I've yet read. (From the outset, Smith explains that if a person is not a theist, then they are an atheist. Agnosticism simply refers to the (un)knowability of a god and is a separate matter that can co-exist with either position.)
His pursuit of reason (and his pursuit 'for' reason) is relentless. This is no bandwagon book of smug posturing and pithy retorts - Smith makes a real effort to present the best arguments of his opponents, often exhaustively so, before proceeding to dismantle each one with devastating precision. While I found myself questioning his train of thought on a couple of points, the book is nevertheless hugely and enjoyably successful in what it sets out to do. More philosophically in-depth than many of the recent crop of atheist titles, I really think this one deserves much wider recognition today than it currently receives.
Concentrating on the philosophical arguments against God's existence, the deep intellectual passion on display here is a joy to behold. Meticulously cutting through all the theological double-talk with his fine scalpel of a mind, Smith exposes the glaring contradictions and absurdities of theism, and in so doing, makes the single most convincing case for atheism I've yet read. (From the outset, Smith explains that if a person is not a theist, then they are an atheist. Agnosticism simply refers to the (un)knowability of a god and is a separate matter that can co-exist with either position.)
His pursuit of reason (and his pursuit 'for' reason) is relentless. This is no bandwagon book of smug posturing and pithy retorts - Smith makes a real effort to present the best arguments of his opponents, often exhaustively so, before proceeding to dismantle each one with devastating precision. While I found myself questioning his train of thought on a couple of points, the book is nevertheless hugely and enjoyably successful in what it sets out to do. More philosophically in-depth than many of the recent crop of atheist titles, I really think this one deserves much wider recognition today than it currently receives.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
An excellent guide in logic and philosophical principles. The author uses his skills to highlight the so-called biblical inerrencies and demolish them. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Satan
Atheim explained & religious belief exposed!
This wonderful book may actually be `the best' book ever written on the subject of atheism. It's certainly one of my all time favourites. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. P. Ryder
Comprehensive demolition of the very idea of god(s)!
Smith's book dates from 1979. You might expect it to be peppered with scientific arguments that might now be out of date, but in fact he doesn't use any. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jason Mills
A clear-minded and considerate presentation
Smith notes in the introduction that "... this book is intended for laymen..." and indeed it seemed a great deal more readable to me than Smith's "Why Atheism?". Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2007 by calmly
This book is brilliant
I am already of the opinion that all organised religions are anti-human and George Smith explains clearly why this is so. Read more
Published on 12 April 2007 by Madame La Bonne
A comprehensive assault on theism
Having read `Atheist Universe' I thought that this book would be another light and enjoyable read. What I didn't expect was a philosophy book! Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2007 by JA Foxton
Rationality versus superstition: towards a better morality
The September 11 attack on the twin towers and subsequent terrorist attacks in Madrid and London were a stark reminder of the moral depravity that can arise out of the naive belief... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2006 by Ukhuman1st
A great account of Atheism.
If your not sure about the whole 'god' thing then this book should clear things up for you. However, if like me, you're already an Atheist then there is really nothing new here. Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2005 by R. Britain
The Real "Bible"
I found this book to be all that it was claimed to be, rational.
I haven't fully read it yet, so I am going off the points which I have read and I must say it seems well... Read more
I haven't fully read it yet, so I am going off the points which I have read and I must say it seems well... Read more
Published on 29 Feb 2004
A thorough dismantling of theism
After reading the reviews on the US website I was expecting a few holes in Smiths philosophical argumentation, but having read the book I can't see how anyone could seriously... Read more
Published on 16 July 2003 by "daz_a_rob"
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