Atheists...?

Question

If someone had just realized they no longer believe in any gods.. what advice/recommendations, books, websites, etc.. would you give to him/her to help them along this path?

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance.

Answer 1

I'd have them visit this page: http://www.philosoraptor.com/comingout.html

And I'd recommend these sites:
http://atheism.about.com/
http://infidels.org
http://www.positiveatheism.org/
http://www.atheists.org/

As for books, I'd recommend:
Atheism: The Case Against God by George H. Smith
The Demon-Haunted World: Science As A Candle In The Dark by Carl Sagan
god Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens

I'd advise them to be honest but not obnoxious about their lack of faith. I'd warn that a lot of people won't understand and that a lot of people who seem very decent may begin being very belligerent about it. I'd tell them that in the beginning, if they're getting out of god-belief, it may be frightening but eventually it's quite freeing.

Answer 2

Crazy Tigger already listed all the best websites, so I won't repeat listing them. :)

But here's a booklist: (And yes I have all these books, had them for awhile now.)

God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist by Victor J Stenger
Cosmos by Carl Sagan
Atheism: The Case Against God (Skeptic's Bookshelf) by George H. Smith
Sense and Goodness Without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism by Richard Carrier
Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought by Pascal Boyer
How We Believe: Science, Skepticism, and the Search for God (second edition) by Michael Shermer
The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (This is a good book, I got it when it first came out, autographed edition even. I highly recommend it.)
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism by David Mills and Dorion Sagan
Natural Atheism by David Eller
Atheism: A Reader by S. T. Joshi
Atheism in Pagan Antiquity by A. B. Drachmann
Living in the light by Anne R. Stone (I REALLY like this book. You *must* read this one.)
Like Rolling Uphill: Realizing The Honesty Of Atheism by Dianna Narciso (Again, another great book, must read.)

Answer 3

I recommend The God Part of the Brain by Matthew Alper. It will give them insight into why some humans feel a need for god and how spiritual experiences are shared in many different religions. The feeling of spirituality is not necessarily given up once one comes to grips with the fact that there is no god. The feeling can be maintained through many different ways. The key is understanding where these feelings come from.

If you're looking to be able to argue and hold your ground against the countless theists that will tell you you're wrong, you really don't need any books. All you need to know is that none of the gods have been shown to be real, and everything attributed to them has been and can be explained in natural terms.

All religions can be traced back to earlier religions, all you have to do is look at the history of the area in which a religion originated. Seeing who conquored who and what the prior cultural and religious beliefs were will give you insight into many things about the new religion and how it is practiced.

Answer 4

Book recommendation: If s/he hasn't read the Bible yet (and I mean the whole thing, not just the sweet little ol' Sunday-school excerpts), then that should be on the list. But it's best taken in small doses.

Film recommendation: Brian Flemming's "The God Who Wasn't There" is available on DVD from his website.

Personal recommendation: Don't feel the need to "out" yourself to family, friends, co-workers or neighbors. If they ask a direct question, simply say that you're no longer a believer and you really don't wish to discuss it right now. Why? -- Because you're not ready yet. You're probably not yet comfortable with the whole business of being an atheist in a religious society, you need time to grow into it.

Answer 5

I would definitely recommend anything by Carl Sagan.

In my opinion, Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are rather abrasive for new atheists who may still be examining old belief systems. I would definitely recommend Carl Sagan and Michael Shermer because both can hold scientific ideas and present a skeptical mindset without turning off some of their audience.

Later on, I would recommend Dawkins and the other folks.

Answer 6

It would depend on what the persons interests were - there are countless subjects. I'm a book reader, right now I'm reading: The Story of Philosophy (The Essential Guide To The History Of Western Philosophy).

Answer 7

The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
Letter to a Christian Nation, Sam Harris
http://www.talkorigins.org/

Answer 8

What path?

Unlike the thousands of ever-changing religions to choose from, there is only one atheism. Hence, no "path" ahead.

An atheist with a religious "path" is not an atheist. At most, they're agnostic.

Answer 9

Oh... my favorite is "Like Rolling Uphill: The Honesty of Atheism" by Dianna Narcisso...

It is a great book about atheism written in a gentle and positive way...

Answer 10

There really aren't any books or anything needed.......there is no collective movement called "atheism" outside of a non belief in a deity.

I realize this is not particularly helpful.