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What were the first books you read in favor of skepticism/atheism?
This is a "poll" of sorts, just for my own curiosity. I read many books on my path from believing in the Christian god to atheism, but the two that stand out most in my memory are "Why I am not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell and "Atheism: The Case against God" by George H. Smith. I still enjoy both books (though Smith's blatant libertarianism is annoying) and I'm wondering what other people read as they "saw the light" so to speak.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Meggan Dominytus on -
"Atheism: The Case against God" by George H. Smith.
This is the book that started all the shenanigans! I was in the library about 5 years ago gathering books on just about every subject possible, seeking out ideas. I picked that one up and the rest is history.
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Permalink Reply by Tarquin St John Sh'gn'sty on -
'Why I Am Not A Christian" by Bertram Russell,which I read in about 1972.
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Permalink Reply by Gecko, Seth...brother of Richie! on -
Demon Haunted World, Red Mars(fiction), The God Delusion, the three have to go together for me.
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Permalink Reply by Alpha Bitch on -
I am currently reading my first one, which is "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. I can't get through a single page without calling someone to talk about what I've read.
I've been Atheist since I was a young 'un. I never really read any books or watched any movies or documentaries that led me to being Atheist. I guess I just relied on logic and my life observations. I think the fact that my parents never discussed it and let me form my own opinions helped a lot.
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Permalink Reply by Brenna on -
I grew up an atheist, really... I can't remember the name of the first book I read on the subject, or even who it was by, but I was fairly young and it was given to me by my brother. Recently I've been reading Richard Dawkins, though. 'The God Delusion', of course, is the most relevant one, I suppose. Mostly I just read a lot of science books, that might touch on the subject a little, rather than reading books full-out on atheism.
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Permalink Reply by David Ivester on -
I've been an atheist all of my life. I don't recall reading anything in particular that led me to this view--other than the Bible. The implausibility of the views offered by religion just appeared so plain, and my parents mercifully left me free to make up my own mind. I read and cheered Bertrand Russell's "Why I am Not a Christian" some time ago. More recently, my interest was rekindled with David Eller's "Natural Atheism," Sam Harris's "Letter to a Christian Nation," and Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion." I also read Douglas Wilson's "Letter from a Christian Citizen" to learn more of what the "other side" had to offer.
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Permalink Reply by Howard S. Dunn on -
Ironically - The Bible
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein helped
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Hero With a Thousand Faces & The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
No Boundary by Ken Wilber
Basically, if you read almost anything and then THINK about what has been said - you will eventually realize that the Bible and, by extension, the concept of an "Authorless author (see 'god') is laughable.
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Permalink Reply by David Agaybi on -
My first influential books were 1984 (Orwell), Demian (Herman Hesse) and Answer to Job (Carl Jung). Demian scratched the surface and answer to job just dug in. After that I started reading all kinds of books including Nietzche, Camus and Ayn Rand....Recently I've read The god delusion and god is not great. I enjoyed hitchen's book a little more, but A river out of eden was just a beautifully written book by dawkins, its small and very interesting.
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Permalink Reply by Friend of Dorothy on -
I started with Christopher Hitchen's "God Is Not Great", than moved on to "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. I also farm the You Tube sites for debates by these two. As to seeing the light, I must say yes to that. The doubt was always there, but they, and other, helped me take that final step over the line into the light or reason.
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Permalink Reply by Dave P on -
Douglas Adams' 'Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy' was the first book I read that pointed out some of the more bleedin' obvious holes in religion.
The first specifically anti-religious book I read was probably The God Delusion, but I'd read a fair bit of Dawkins in magazines etc prior to its publication.
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Permalink Reply by Kristi Leitholt on -
I have heard so much about Hitchhiker's Guide. Did you find it a worthwhile read? I'm intrigued.
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Permalink Reply by Dave P on
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I love it but remembered seeing the TV adaptation when I was a kid and, just, hearing the original radio series. I think it's brilliant but am not very objective about it!
Give the first book a pop. You'll either laugh out loud or wonder what on Earth is going on.
Probably both.
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