Name: Atheism
ISBN: 9781633881976

George H. Smith

Originally published: Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1979.

The Case Against God

Atheism

"Does a god exist? This question has undoubtedly been asked, in one form or another, since man has had the ability to communicate. . . Thousands of volumes have been written on the subject of a god, and the vast majority have answered the questions with a resounding 'Yes!' " "You are about to read a minority viewpoint." With this intriguing introduction, George H. Smith sets out to demolish what he considers the most widespread and destructive of all the myths devised by man - the concept of a supreme being. With painstaking scholarship and rigorous arguments, Mr. Smith examines, dissects, and refutes the myriad "proofs" offered by theists - the defenses of sophisticated, professional theologians, as well as the average religious layman. He explores the historical and psychological havoc wrought by religion in general - and concludes that religious belief cannot have any place in the life of modern, rational man. "It is not my purpose to convert people to atheism . . . (but to) demonstrate that the belief in God is irrational to the point of absurdity. If a person wishes to continue believing in a god, that is his prerogative, but he can no longer excuse his belief in the name of reason and moral necessity."

Wynne Aretae

That is correct! I have finally finished this excellent book and, for the most part, I loved it.

It went over every question regarding God one could possibly think of, and more regarding other deities and Christianity in general. It never regarded something as fundamentally stupid until *after* Smith went over it in excruciating detail. For many people, it would be too difficult to read because of the sheer depth into each individual point. However, for me, that is what made this book splendid. I loved the depth and metal unlike anything else.

On the flip side, the same thing that made this book brilliant is what removed a star: detail. This isn't an easy read. The author has a wide vocabulary and values clarity to an extent that makes it confusing to those without such a grasp on the English language.

Overall, this book was fantastic. I cannot recommend it highly enough, despite my only 4-stars. In a few years, once my vocabulary has expanded and my reading skill has improved, I hope to read it again. Maybe that time I'll understand it well enough to give it that final star.

Atheism The Case Against God

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