There Is No God

David A. Williamson; George Yancey

doi:10.5771/9781442218512

There Is No God

Atheists in America

Published 2013

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doi.org/10.5771/9781442218512
ISBN print: 978-1-4422-1849-9
ISBN online: 978-1-4422-1851-2
Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham

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Abstract

There is No God: Atheists in America answers several questions pertaining to how the atheist population has grown from relatively small numbers to have a disproportionately large impact on important issues of our day, such as the separation of church and state, abortion, gay marriage, and public school curricula. Williamson and Yancey answer the common questions surrounding atheism. Just how common is the dismissal and derision of religion expressed by atheists? How are we to understand the world view of atheists and their motivations in political action and public discourse? Finally, is there any hope for rapprochement in the relationship of atheism and theism?

In There is No God, the authors begin with a brief history of atheism to set the stage for a better understanding of contemporary American atheism. They then explore how the relationship between religious and atheistic ideologies has each attempted to discredit the other in different ways at different times and under very different social and political circumstances. Although atheists are a relatively small minority, atheists appear to be growing in number and in their willingness to be identified as atheists and to voice their non-belief. As those voices of atheism increase it is essential that we understand how and why those who are defined by such a simple term as “non-believers in the existence of God” should have such social and political influence. The authors successfully answer the broader question of the apparent polarization of the religious and non-religious dimensions of American society.

Schlagworte

Religion in America American Studies atheism in America atheism in politics

Chapter Expand | CollapsePage
Preface
- Contents
1–16 1 Understanding Atheism in the United States 1–16
17–32 2 A Brief History of Atheism 17–32
33–48 3 Who Are the Atheists? 33–48
49–64 4 The Foolishness of Religion 49–64
65–84 5 Progressive Politics as a Tenet of Atheism 65–84
85–98 6 Toward an Atheist Morality 85–98
99–112 7 Atheism in the United States 99–112
113–124 8 Summary and Conclusion 113–124
125–126 Appendix 1: Open-Ended Questions Used in Online Survey 125–126
127–128 Appendix 2: Interview Schedule for Atheists 127–128
129–138 Notes 129–138
139–142 Bibliography 139–142
143–144 Index 143–144

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