“The new edition of Caught in the Pulpit extends and reinforces the message of the first: that many who preach religion do not themselves believe what they preach, for the good reason that they have more insight into its vacuity than those to whom they preach. Some are tragically trapped in this hypocrisy, some choose to keep living the lie: but knowing this adds to our sense of the lie that is religion itself. This is an important book, because it reveals an important truth.”
—A.C. Grayling, Master of the New College of the Humanities London

About the Book

What is it like to be a preacher or rabbi who no longer believes in God? In this expanded and updated edition of their groundbreaking study, Daniel C. Dennett and Linda LaScola comprehensively and sensitively expose an inconvenient truth that religious institutions face in the new transparency of the information age—the phenomenon of clergy who no longer believe what they publicly preach. In confidential interviews, clergy from across the ministerial spectrum—from liberal to literal—reveal how their lives of religious service and study have led them to a truth inimical to their professed beliefs and profession. Although their personal stories are as varied as the denominations they once represented, or continue to represent—whether Catholic, Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist, Mormon, Pentecostal, or any of numerous others—they give voice not only to their own struggles but also to those who similarly suffer in tender and lonely silence. As this study poignantly and vividly reveals, their common journey has far-reaching implications not only for their families, their congregations, and their communities—but also for the very future of religion.

About the Author(s)

Daniel C. Dennett is the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University and the codirector of the Center for Cognitive Studies. He is the author of numerous books, including Brainstorms, Breaking the Spell, Consciousness Explained, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, Elbow Room, Freedom Evolves, and Intuition Pumps. He lives in North Andover, Massachusetts. Linda LaScola has been a qualitative researcher for more than 25 years and has traveled around the United States interviewing people on numerous subjects, including health, mental health, public policy, and religion. She lives in Washington, DC. Richard Dawkins (foreword by) is a Fellow of the Royal Society and was the inaugural holder of the Charles Simonyi Chair of Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University.

Details

ISBN: 9781634310208
Format: paperback
SRP: $16.95
Page count: 280 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: May 2015

“A lovely book!”
—Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion

About the Book

Every thinking person wants to lead a life of meaning and purpose. For thousands of years, holy books have told us that such a life is available only through obedience and submission to some higher power. Today, the faithful keep popular devotionals and tracts within easy reach on bedside tables and mobile devices, all communicating this common message: Life is meaningless without God. Former pastor Dan Barker eloquently, powerfully, and rationally upends this long-held belief in Life Driven Purpose. Offering words of enrichment, emancipation, and inspiration, he reminds us how millions of atheists lead happy, loving, moral, and purpose-filled lives. Practicing what he preaches, he also demonstrates through his own personal journey that life is valuable for its own sake—that meaning and purpose come not from above, but from within.

About the Author(s)

Dan Barker, a former evangelical minister, is co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, co-host of Freethought Radio, and co-founder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and life’s meaning and purpose in the national media, with appearances on Oprah Winfrey, The Daily Show, the O'Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. Daniel C. Dennett (foreword by) is university professor, professor of philosophy, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University.

Details

ISBN: 9781939578211
Format: paperback
SRP: $14.95
Page count: 216 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: April 1, 2015

“What is the purpose of life? It isn't Jesus, Muhammad, Yahweh, or any other religious figure, self-help guru, or grand cosmic scheme to be found in the next life. As James Lindsay explains in his remarkably cogent and highly readable exposition on life and death, the meaning of life is to live, and the way to know how to live is vouchsafed to you by virtue of living. How? Read this insightful book to arrive at your own answer.”
—Michael Shermer, Publisher, Skeptic magazine

About the Book

Life is short, and it can be sweet. Contemplating death is looking into a mirror that allows us to see these simple facts clearly, as if for the first time. We have every reason to believe that we have but one life to live—and no good reasons to believe otherwise—and death marks the termination of each life. Examining this reality opens doors to understanding ourselves, each other, connection, love, and life itself in an entirely new way. Life in Light of Death offers a short exploration of the sweetness and opportunity available to those who understand and embrace this fact. By looking at life as reflected by death, we can see what really matters and how best to live.

About the Author

James A. Lindsay holds degrees in physics and mathematics, with a doctorate in the latter. He has authored two previous books, including Everybody Is Wrong About God and Dot, Dot, Dot: Infinity Plus God Equals Folly. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Details

ISBN: 9781634310864
Format: paperback
SRP: $12.95
Page count: 160 pages
Trim size: 4.75 x 7
Pub date: December 2016

“A glorious celebration.”
—Dan Barker, author of Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning

About the Book

So you're an atheist. Now what?

The way we deal with life—with love and sex, pleasure and death, reality and making stuff up—can change dramatically when we stop believing in gods, souls, and afterlives. When we leave religion—or if we never had it in the first place—where do we go?

With her unique blend of compassion and humor, thoughtfulness and snark, Greta Christina most emphatically does not propose a single path to a good atheist life. She offers questions to think about, ideas that may be useful, and encouragement to choose your own way. She addresses complex issues in an accessible, down-to-earth style, including:

• Why we're here

• Sexual transcendence

• The meaning of life

• The meaning of death

• Frivolity

• Sensuality

• How humanism helps with depression — except when it doesn’t

• Stealing stuff from religion

• Why atheism demands social justice

• Different ways to be a good person

• Joy

• and much more.

Aimed at new and not-so-new atheists, questioning and curious believers, Christina shines a warm, fresh light on the only life we have.

About the Author

Greta Christina has been writing professionally since 1989, on topics including atheism, sexuality and sex-positivity, LGBT issues, politics, culture, and whatever crosses her mind. She is the author of Why Are You Atheists So Angry? and Bending and Coming Out Atheist.

Details

ISBN: 9781634310680
Format: paperback
SRP: $14.95
Page count: 304 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: June 2016