Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists

Dan Barker

Ulysses Press, 2008 - Religion - 392 pages

Uncover the truth about atheism in the book Oliver Sacks calls, "a revelation. . . I don’t think anyone can match the (devastating!) clarity, intensity, and honesty which Dan Barker brings to the journey—faith to reason, childhood to growing up, fantasy to reality, intoxication to sobriety."

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR GODLESS

“Valuable in the human story are the reflections of intelligent and ethical people who listen to the voice of reason and who allow it to vanquish bigotry and superstition. This book is a classic example.”
—CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS author of God is Not Great

“The most eloquent witness of internal delusion that I know—a triumphantly smiling refugee from the zany, surreal world of American fundamentalist Protestantism—is Dan Barker.”
—RICHARD DAWKINS author of The God Delusion

“Godless was a revelation to me. I don’t think anyone can match the (devastating!) clarity, intensity, and honesty which Dan Barker brings to the journey—faith to reason, childhood to growing up, fantasy to reality, intoxication to sobriety.”
—OLIVER SACKS authors of Musicophilia

In Godless, Barker recounts his journey from evangelical preacher to atheist activist, and along the way explains precisely why it is not only okay to be an atheist, it is something in which to be proud.”
—MICHAEL SHERMER publisher of Skeptic Magazine

“Godless is a fascinating memoir and a handbook for debunking theism. But most of all, it is a moving testimonial to one man’s emotional and intellectual rigor in acclaiming critical thinking.”
—ROBERT SAPOLSKY author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers

Contents

• The Call: 3
• The Fall: 33
• The Fallout: 46
• The New Call: 67
• Why I Am an Atheist: 87
• Refuting God: 104
• OmniAqueous: 121
• Cosmological Kalamity: 130
• Dear Theologian: 145
• The Bible and Morality: 161
• Murder He Wrote: 203
• Bible Contradictions: 222
• Understanding Discrepancy: 243
• We Go to Washington: 309
• Adventures in Atheism: 320
• Life and Death Matters: 337
• Selected Bibliography: 357
• Index: 367
• About the Author: 376

About the author

Dan Barker received a degree in religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church. He has appeared on numerous talk shows including Oprah Winfrey, Hannity & Colmes, and Good Morning America. He lives in Madison, WI. Richard Dawkins was educated at Oxford University and taught zoology at the University of California and Oxford University, holding the position of the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science. He writes about such topics as DNA and genetic engineering, virtual reality, astronomy, and evolution. His books include The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype, The Blind Watchmaker, River Out of Eden, Climbing Mount Improbable, The God Delusion, and An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists
• Author: Dan Barker
• Contributor: Richard Dawkins
• Publisher: Ulysses Press, 2008
• ISBN: 1569756775, 9781569756775
• Length: 392 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Atheism; Religion / General; Self-Help / Personal Growth / General; Self-Help / Spiritual