What 'Dummies' need to know about atheism

Dale McGowan is an author and executive director of Foundation Beyond Belief, a nontheistic charitable organization. He was recently enlisted to write “Atheism for Dummies,” the first book about nontheists from the “Dummies” series of books.

He spoke recently with Religion News Service about religious doubt, what religious believers and atheists have in common, and what "dummies" need to know about atheism. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: There hasn't been an "atheist" book in the "Dummies" line yet. Why?

A: It's only been about eight to 10 years since the freethought movement (atheists, agnostics, humanists and skeptics) began to move off the cultural margin in a significant way, and fewer since most of the public has become aware of atheism as an organized presence in the United States. Between the explosive growth of nonreligious self-identity and the more regular presence of the organized religious voice, people naturally have questions about what atheism is and what this growing presence means for them.

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cyoder

The title is accurate. Atheism is for dummies.
- Chris
  
  If I'm a dummy then what are you – a billionaire? An inventor with a 100 patents?
  
  I thought not – your so dumb you don't know how dumb you are. Common problem with the religious.
  - Esteban Cafe
    
    Sir, it has been my experience that most atheists do not know enough about religion to be good atheists, given that atheism is a reactive position declaiming and disparaging religion while claiming, well, nothing. To always be against something, but never really "for" anything is an interesting position to be in.
    
    Oh. Are you an acolyte and strict adherent of Science? Some have made a religion out of that. What sect are you? There are many cults within each sect, as you already know. And since Science admits that it does not know everything but is "every learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" it must therefore have "faith" (a belief in something that you cannot see). This faith is sustaining many in your religion. Just as faith in Christ sustains many in ours. I’m not offering a quid pro quo arrangement of “you accept our religion and we’ll accept yours” rather, I think we can simply agree to disagree, right?
    
    Of course, if you're a billionaire inventory with over 100 patents then I suppose you could be an exception.
    
    Sarc/off
  - tinman jones
    
    Interesting how you challenge the intelligence of religious people. It appears that you are a bird brain because your statement is without reason. You are just like the little birds who aimlessly fly around considering only food, shelter, survival, and crapping on whatever is below. Unfortunately, I am one of the dumb religious ones who is under your kind, the rampant flock of bird brains who feel overwhelmed when others speak the truth.
    - http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
      
      Esteban didn't say atheists were unintelligent, he said they were not very knowlegable on the subject of religion. Very intelligent people often know nothing on many subjects outside their field of expertise.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        He would be wrong.
        
        A new survey of American religious knowledge, released by the Pew Forum, which demonstrate that atheists and agnostics know more about religion than the religious do. The only religious groups comparable to atheists in general religious knowledge are Jews and Mormons. Atheists even know more about Christianity than American Christians.
        
        Atheists and agnostics, like Jews, are much more highly educated than the general American public, and the survey found a strong correlation between level of education and religious knowledge (among the religious as well as the nonreligious).
        
        Now, this does not mean we are right on our views. However, it does show that we are basing our views on researched information, not simply dismissing faith out of hand.
        http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/spirite…
  - Scott Davis
    
    The fool, being wise in his own conceits, is but a vapid vapor of ignorance.
  - petroskhan1262
    
    Two things, Chris.
    
    That should have been "…-you're so dumb…", not "your". "Your" is a possessive pronoun, while "you're" is a contraction for "you are". Just FYI.
    
    Secondly, is material wealth the only indicator of mental prowess? If I recall, Da Vinci was, at best, middle-class in terms of money. Einstein was never a millionaire.
    
    And let's all try really hard to dispense with personal attacks. They don't prove intelligence, or make a point. All they do is prove that the one tossing them out has neither manners, nor anything of import to contribute. I'm guilty of this a bit myself, and I am working on it, and welcome anyone to correct me should I cross the line.
    - http://conservativebyte.com Michael G.
      
      I've looked up Chris's name in any significant publication on patents or inventions. Guess what I found? Nothing.
- http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
  
  The book on atheism is written for "dummies." It is for "dummies" of all kinds who don't understand atheism, not for wise people who already know everything.
  
  I am thinking about writing a book: "Sarcasm, Cynicism and Criticism for Dummies."
  - petroskhan1262
    
    Why? All one has to do is read any forum on religion and/or politics. Should be a great crash course. :P
http://www.missiontoisrael.org TedRWeiland

What an apropos title: "The fool [dummy] hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." (Psalm 14:1)
- Chris
  
  Twist it any way you like you have no proof and no evidence of you magic skygod.
  - http://www.missiontoisrael.org TedRWeiland
    
    Chris, you're proof – 1 Corinthians 2:14 and 3:19. That said, let me assure you, there are much better ways (for you) to prove Him. I hope someday, in faith and through the atoning blood sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, you will be able to do just that.
  - Robert De Leon
    
    Crhis:
    On the contrary. There are many ways to know that God exists, Faith and Reason. Only a blind can't see.
    By the other hand. there is no scientific evidence that God doesn't exists.
    Robert.
    - daves
      
      That is a poor argument. There also is no scientific evidence that pink chested elephants do not exist, does that mean they do exist?
      - petroskhan1262
        
        Yes. I have PERSONALLY checked the chest of EVERY SINGLE elephant on earth. Not one has a pink chest.
        
        On the more serious side, it is my belief that if one objectively looks, the proof of God all around. Looking through a lens of atheistic preconception can quite easily cloud one's vision, however.
  - Esteban Cafe
    
    Sir, the same can be said for Science. Previously we were facing an Ice Age; today it's Global Warming. So, which is it? Previously eggs/2nd hand smoke/breast implants, etc. were BAD for you; now they're not. So which is it? There is no Christian religion with so many false starts and proven missteps as found in "Science."
    
    Well, it's understandable: Science is a man-made religion and therefore subject to the foibles of man. Sadly, it's also for sale.
    
    Unfortunately, some Christian religions have followed Science and are also for sale, especially in the Mega Church & Evangelical communities. I have personally seen this–just as I've personally seen cooked data offered by scientists striving for grants. Money is the great corrupter. The difference? Let us determine that through reasoned debate.
    
    Therefore, allow us to agree to disagree without all the threats–from either side—but let us reason together. Both sides should be putting together their best arguments and debating them. Not condemning each other—no one will gain any adherents that way.
    - guest
      
      Actually Science is not a man made religion,,,,. Let me repair that idea,,,, Scientists HAVE ELEVATED science to near religious importance.
      It is strange how scientists CAN and DO practice religion, most specifically Christianity, and do scientific research.
      Now as for good, bad, or otherwise it isnt good or bad,,,its what incomplete research and assumptions develop into scientific "theory" that are then placed into the column of "facts" and results.
      Odd how people will put faith in theories yet NOT put faith in God above.
  - http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
    
    And you have no evidence to the contrary, or for missing (evolutionary) links.
http://zionica.com Grant

Wellll, there a some 'atheitism' that are now 'powerful evangelist' for God. Pray for them…
Robert De Leon

Two things to clarify.
Ethics doesn't mean moral
Philantropy doesn't mean charity.
Quite a difference!
Robert..
- Chris
  
  And most churches waste the money they are given so they are not at all charitable.
  - Robert De Leon
    
    Chris:
    I never thought that you were working on a church's Accounting Office.
    Robert.
- daves
  
  What is the difference between philanthropy and charity?
  
  Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life"—balancing the social-scientific aspect emphasized in the 20th century, with the long-traditional and original humanist core of the word's ancient coinage. This formulation distinguishes it from business (private initiatives for private good, focusing on material prosperity) and government (public initiatives for public good, focusing on law and order).[1]
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    Daves, you ask more from Robert than he is able to offer.
- http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
  
  I think the distinction "theists" could make and christians should make is this: that ethical, moral, philanthropic and charitable deeds without the faith God in Christ are "dead" works. They do not save the doers from hell, nor do they save the recipients of those deeds. And it needs to be further said of the good works God has planned for the faithful to do, that they flow from their salvation in Christ, but do nothing to accomplish that salvation.
http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

You all are missing the point entirely. The book is written for theists who do not understand Atheism. Theists are the "dummys".
- Robert De Leon
  
  I thought that Atheist were the "dummies". It depends how you do want to see it.
  Robert.
- http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
  
  TY Jeff. It is written for theists and I think also for agnostics, and anyone who just hasn't got an education on the subject
- petroskhan1262
  
  "For Dummies" is an extensive series of instructional / reference books which are intended to present non-intimidating guides for readers new to the various topics covered. – Wikipedia
aceituna

In 1st Corinthians we read that The foolishness of God is wiser than the best of man's wisdom. The real "dummies" are those who think that they are smarter than God.
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  No, it is people reading verses created by other people and believing they are the work of a fictional diety that are the foolish.
  - Despeville
    
    And it takes under educated, shallow and gullible schizophrenic like Dixon who does not understand those verses, who does not believe in those verses, who does not believe in existence of those people who penned them down under the inspiration of God whom he denies to to make an official pronouncement. :) Congratulations Dodo with mind like yours who needs movies?
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      Ah, nothing like the moronic ranting of Humpty to brighten up the day. Who cannot help but be amused to hear him pontificating yet again?
  - http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
    
    Jeff, you are right on so little and wrong on so much. Don't you want to take the time to see if you are wrong Jeff?
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      Give me your best.
LouiseCA

No one's saying that atheists cannot be moral or good people. They can, and many are. But moral and good as compared to whom? What is their standard? Who is their standard? And what makes them think their standard is any better than anyone else's? Who says you can't steal your neighbor's belongings and take off with his wife? The state? The government? Suppose the government decides it can't "legislate morality", then what? Who's to stop you from doing those things and worse? Once you remove Almighty God and His Commandments from the equation, mankind is capable of creating any kind of society with any rules his sin-flawed mind can conceive. And that is exactly what we see happening to our country right now. The further we get away from believing in the Bible as our Founding Fathers clearly did and clearly stated, the more we have lost our moorings and we are adrift on a ocean of immorality and confusion. We no longer know who we are. We have allowed a handful of loud atheist bullies to steal away most of our foundations and our country, children, culture and future are in jeopardy because of it. Christians, wake up and get off your duffs and get involved before we lose America on our watch. Do you seriously want to have to answer to God for allowing the greatest country in the world to collapse? Don't think we'll get off that easy. If we don't do our part to stop the erosion of the United States of America, I don't think He's going to be very happy with us. Individually, or as His Church.
Robin

Atheists are people who have faith only in themselves and the "morals" they make up. They somehow believe it is possible for an orderly society to exist even though the range of "morals" that will exist in society will be nearly endless and often conflicting. The very idea of a defined set of morals coming from a single perfect being is repulsive to them because if it were true they would not be able to pursue their own morality without guilt. That is their logic, or illogic depending on your point of view. Simple observation should make it clear to anyone with a brain that this does not and cannot work. To believe that this can work is to be in denial of reality, delusional. To accuse those with faith in God to be lacking intelligence is an arrogant failure to recognize there may be those who know something through personal experience that you do not. Open your mind and heart and search earnestly for God. You will find Him, and you will not require anyone else to prove His existence to you. There you have it. Who needs another book.
- arich
  
  Open your mind and heart and search earnestly for God. You will find Him
  
  >>> I will find "him"? So "God" has male sexual organs? Then if he be man-like since he has genitals, as you have inferred, who created him? Since I could find "him" what does "he" look like? Have you seen him? Has anyone ever? Nope.
- pandeter
  
  I'll add two things: 1) Robin, society exists in its best form when individuals seek their best interests. This is the same way an economy works best. I also must ask before I comment further, do you believe in objective morality, or subjective morality?
  
  2) Atheists and those who believe in God are no different in that Atheists believe there is no God, and Christians believe there is a God. The key is "believe". Neither of them knows, but Christians have faith. So just because a man such as an atheist doesn't have faith, doesn't make them dumber than you, or scared. It means they have faith in the wrong areas.
http://www.freewebs.com/angelsofhope2008 Dave M.

I think it's great that they're coming up with a book called, "Atheism for Dummies". Personally, I'd like to see a "for Dummies" book on every religion and "irreligion". Other than brute force, there are three ways to get your point across to people: use propaganda and lies to manipulate them, have a fair and open debate (and let the people decide which argument is more sound to them), or let people be attracted to an example of the faith being presented. As long as there's an "Atheism for Dummies", why not have a "Theism for Dummies", with references to a "for Dummies" book on each religion? For that matter, each religion "for Dummies" book could have a further reference to a denomination "for Dummies" book, as well. Intellectually, the best ways to share one's faith are to show how it works in real life; or to have a fair, open, honest debate between the options, and let the people decide which argument seems more sound.
victorbarney

Soon America will LEARN what PUNISHMENT really MEANS! It's called the two-witnesses of Revelation, chapter 11 & the WORLD, ESPECIALLY ATHEISTS, WILL SOON LEARN WHAT COWARDS REALLY ARE!
- arich
  
  The West has been hearing that malarkey for over 1,700 years. Has anyone seen Jesus? Nope. Never will either.
Jim

If we step back and try to be objective, it becomes clear that atheism does not exist. Atheism, meaning without God, is a misnomer. Those who profess that belief do, in fact, have a god. They do not acknowledge a belief in Almighty God, but they certainly have their idols. They make idols of science or philosophy, but their ultimate god is themselves. When that is pointed out, they'll argue. The more they argue, however, the more they refute their own position. Oh, they believe in a god all right. Just not The One that matters.