Atheists are frequently demonized as arrogant intellectuals, antagonistic to religion, devoid of moral sentiments, advocates of an "anything goes" lifestyle. Now, in this revealing volume, nineteen leading philosophers open a window on the inner life of atheism, shattering these common stereotypes as they reveal how they came to turn away from religious belief.

These highly engaging personal essays capture the marvelous diversity to be found among atheists, providing a portrait that will surprise most readers. Many of the authors, for example, express great affection for particular religious traditions, even as they explain why they cannot, in good conscience, embrace them. None of the contributors dismiss religious belief as stupid or primitive, and several even express regret that they cannot, or can no longer, believe. Perhaps more important, in these reflective pieces, they offer fresh insight into some of the oldest and most difficult problems facing the human mind and spirit. For instance, if God is dead, is everything permitted? Philosophers Without Gods demonstrates convincingly, with arguments that date back to Plato, that morality is independent of the existence of God. Indeed, every writer in this volume adamantly affirms the objectivity of right and wrong. Moreover, they contend that secular life can provide rewards as great and as rich as religious life. A naturalistic understanding of the human condition presents a set of challenges--to pursue our goals without illusions, to act morally without hope of reward--challenges that can impart a lasting value to finite and fragile human lives.

Collectively, these essays highlight the richness of atheistic belief--not only as a valid alternative to religion, but as a profoundly fulfilling and moral way of life.

"This Atheists R Us compilation differs markedly in tone from Hitchens and Dawkins. Excellent fare for Christian small groups whose members are genuinely interested in the arguments raised by atheists."--Christianity Today

Louise M. Antony is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is the author of A Mind of One's Own and Chomsky and His Critics.

Editor's Introduction

Acknowledgements

Part One - Journeys

1. Faith and Reason, the Perpetual War: Ruminations of a Fool, Stewart Shapiro (Ohio State)

2. From Yeshiva Bochur to Secular Humanist, Joseph Levine (U Mass Amherst)

3. Religio Philosophi, Daniel Garber (Princeton)

4. For the Love of Reason, Louise Antony (U Mass Amherst)

5. Life Without God: Some Personal Costs, Daniel Ferell (Ohio State)

6. Overcoming Christianity, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Dartmouth)

7. On Becoming a Heretic, Edwin Curley (Michigan)

8. Mere Stranger, Marvin Belzer (Bowling Green)

9. An Atheist's Fundamentalism, James Tappenden (Michigan)

10. Thank Goodness, Daniel Dennett (Tufts University)

Part Two - Reflections

11. Atheism and Invisibility, Anthony Simon Laden (U Illinois, Chicago)

12. An Aristotelian Life, Marcia Homiak

13. Without the Net of Providence: Atheism and the Human Adventure, Kenneth Taylore (Stanford)

14. Disenchantment, David Owens (U Sheffiled, UK)

15. Religion and Respect, Simon Blackburn (Cambridge UK)

16. Reasonable Religious Disagreements, Richard Feldman (Rochester)

17. If God is Dead, Is Everything Permitted?, Elizabeth Secord Anderson (Michigan)

18. Divine Evil, David Lewis (Princeton) - edited by Philip Kitcher

19. Meta-Atheism: Religious Avowal as Self-Deception, Georges Rey (Maryland)

20. Faith and Fanaticism, Jonathan Adler (CUNY Graduate Center)