“Paul Singh and John Shook show that the truth about the origin and nature of our world is much more enchanting than myth. Their message is clear: the significance of human existence lies not in seeing ourselves as uniquely privileged beneficiaries of a universe created especially for us, but rather as fortunate participants in a rich, natural—and true—narrative of a remarkably beautiful cosmos. And just as they are candid about the shortcomings of religion without being dismissive of it, they rightly applaud the successes of modern science without being uncritically worshipful of it.”  
—Barbara Forrest, professor of philosophy, Southeastern Louisiana University

About the Book

Where did everything come from? What is our place in the universe? Why are humans so biologically similar, and why do we let small differences divide us? What shall determine our destiny? Paul Singh and John R. Shook draw on the latest findings from the physical and biological sciences, astronomy and cosmology, geology and genetics, and prehistory and archeology in search of answers to these and other questions. As they lucidly and engagingly demonstrate, the answers science gives about ourselves and the universe in which we live are incomparably more surprising and interesting than any mythical tale about some clash of titans or calculating creator. Indeed, science’s proud journey of exploration and discovery is humanity’s finest narrative yet, about how we trusted our intelligence to find out what we really are and who we can be—intrepidly going wherever the evidence led. Even though science reveals that humanity may have no special place in the universe, humanity is truly special because of our ability to comprehend our universe. Thus, this inspiring story of exploration and discovery is a celebration not only of science—of science’s knowledge of the world, and of science’s own journeys to gain that knowledge—but also of ourselves.

About the Author(s)

Paul Singh is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the College of Medicine, University of Science, Arts and Technology at Montserrat, British West Indies. He is the founder president of Singh Global Initiatives, a philanthropic organization that promotes health and science education worldwide. He lives in Menlo Park, California. John R. Shook is a scholar and professor who has authored or edited more than a dozen books, including The God Debates: A 21st Century Guide for Atheists and Believers (and Everyone in Between). He lives in Arlington, Virginia. Matt DiPalma is a designer and illustrator. He lives in Gainesville, Florida.

Details

ISBN: 9781939578143
Format: paperback
SRP: $17.95
Page count: 349 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: April 1, 2015

“The seemingly unquenchable popularity of the so-called ‘paranormal’ has long been a puzzle, both to me and to my good friend Aron Ra. However, Aron’s much more important and more specific interest in preoccupation with woo-woo is bifold: religion & creationism — to the study of which he has given much thought and concern. His book Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism brings to our stunned attention the farcical, juvenile, pseudoscientific claims with which so many cultures, worldwide, have occupied themselves for centuries, and to which they have so willingly surrendered on their way to the abattoir. . . Aron’s rage — along with his concern — is very evident as he takes his reader step-by-step along the bumpy road he has researched and probed to illustrate just how juvenile that a belief in angels, heaven — and hell, eternal life, promised rewards and penalties, can be unless we wake up and see the Earth upon which we live as a home that doesn’t need abject nonsense to make it wondrous and exciting. Those who choose to believe that the fossil record can be disregarded, that humans were designed and manufactured ‘as is’ and just ‘happened,’ who surrender on their knees to ghosts that just aren’t there, should settle down and read Aron Ra very carefully and should seriously think — that’s the word! — about what he’s written.”
—James Randi, author of An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural

About the Book

Religious fundamentalists and biblical literalists present any number of arguments that attempt to disprove evolution. Those with a sympathetic ear often fail to critically examine these creationist claims, leading to an ill-informed public and, perhaps more troubling, ill-advised public policy. As Aron Ra makes clear, however, every single argument deployed by creationists in their attacks on evolution is founded on fundamental scientific, religious, and historical falsehoods–all of them. Among their most popular claims is that evolution is a religion, that there are no transitional species, that there are no beneficial mutations, and that supposedly sacred scripture is the infallible word of God. Yet, as the evidence and data plainly show, each of these claims is demonstrably and unequivocally false. There is simply no truth to creationism whatsoever, and the entire enterprise rests on a foundation of falsehoods. This book explains and exposes the worst of these lies, and should be read by all who honestly care about following the evidence no matter where it might lead in pursuit of the truth.

About the Author

Aron Ra is a science educator, secular activist, debater, and public speaker. He cohosts the Ra-Men podcast and writes at Reason Advocates on the Patheos network. He is the former Texas state director of American Atheists and current president of Atheist Alliance of America. He is also heading the Phylogeny Explorer Project, an effort to render the entire evolutionary tree of life as a navigable online encyclopedia. He is best known for his popular video series exposing the foundational falsehoods of creationism.

Details

ISBN: 9781634310789
Format: paperback
SRP: $21.95
Page count: 440 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: November 1, 2016

“America was founded in a religious tolerance which was later enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution. This set up a breeding ground for a motley riffraff of cults and weird beliefs—a kind of theological freak show or theological Badlands. Karen Stollznow ventured intrepidly into this ‘Here be Dragons’ territory and her book parades specimens and trophies for our amazement, described with lively good humour and analysed with a sympathetic intelligence. One of the commonest questions I am asked is what makes America so religious. Karen Stollznow's book will become an essential resource for answering it.” 
—Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion

About the Book

God Bless America lifts the veil on strange and unusual religious beliefs and practices in the modern-day United States. Do Satanists really sacrifice babies? Do exorcisms involve swearing and spinning heads? Are the Amish allowed to drive cars and use computers? Offering a close look at snake handling, new age spirituality, Santeria spells, and satanic rituals, this book offers more than mere armchair research. It takes you to an exorcism, a Charismatic church and a Fundamentalist Mormon polygamist compound. You will sit among the beards and bonnets in a Mennonite church, hear the sounds of silence at a Quaker meeting, and listen to L. Ron Hubbard's sci-fi stories told as sermons during a Scientology service. From the Amish to Voodoo, the beliefs and practices explored in this book may be unorthodox, and often dangerous, but they are always fascinating. Some of them are dying out, while others are gaining popularity with a modern audience, but all offer insight into the past, present and future of religion in the United States.

About the Author

Karen Stollznow is a linguist with a background in history and anthropology. She is a columnist, podcaster and the author of Haunting America, Language Myths, Mysteries and Magic, and Red, White and (True) Blue. Karen was a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, and has spent many years writing about a diverse array of topics, including language, culture, religion and anomalous claims. Karen was born in Sydney, and has a PhD in linguistics from the University of New England, Australia. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.

Details

ISBN: 9781939578006
Format: paperback
SRP: $17.95
Page count: 256 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: October 2013

"In this debate on the central Christian doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus, the two chief scholars represented here, Craig Blomberg and Carl Stecher, speak capably and knowledgeably in favor of the major opposing positions. Additional respondents enhance the discussion. The opponents are nonetheless amicable and attempt to understand and make allowances for positions that are not their own, which always contributes to greater understanding. For those who appreciate dialogue as a means of clearing away poorly articulated views, this dialogue is a good place to either begin or for further study. Though I have always favored the resurrection position, the communication must continue for greater clarification and decision-making."
—Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor & Chair, Department of Philosophy, Liberty University

About the Book

Is there enough evidence to believe Jesus rose from the dead, or must such a judgment be based only on faith? Can the resurrection story be considered a fact of history, or should it be viewed as an ahistorical account? Two renowned professors, atheist Carl Stecher and Christian Craig Blomberg, engage in a groundbreaking new debate on these very questions. Other experts on the resurrection, atheist Richard Carrier and Christian Peter S. Williams, comment on the outcome. Presenting new approaches to these centuries-old questions and taking into account the latest scholarly research, Resurrection: Faith or Fact? is a must-have not only for all those following the resurrection question—but also for those skeptics and Christians alike who are interested in determining for themselves the truth behind this foundational doctrine of the Christian faith.

About the Author

Carl Stecher is a professor emeritus at Salem State University, a recipient of a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, and a frequently published voice on the topics of educational policy and religion. Craig L. Blomberg is Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado and author of 25 books. He holds a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Richard Carrier is the author of Sense and Goodness without God, On the Historicity of Jesus, The Scientist in the Early Roman Empire, and many other publications. Peter S. Williams is an assistant professor at Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication, NLA University, Norway.

Details

ISBN: 9781634311748
Format: paperback
SRP: $17.95
Page count: 296 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: April 2019